As part of BC Wine Month, we are featuring wineries from Kelowna’s distinct wine trails. Kelowna, with its five distinct wine trails, is smack in the middle of one of the world's most exciting wine regions, acclaimed for its crisp whites, complex reds, and a growing number of organic winemakers.
Kelowna’s Southeast Bench is known for its rolling hills, bucolic fields, and winding country roads, and the wineries that pepper this corner of Kelowna live up to the area.
Most of the wineries and tasting rooms along the southeast Kelowna bench are on the smaller side and tend to be family-owned, and they all share a rural, cool, and funky farm feel to them. Explore the wineries along this trail for robust Pinot Noirs, sweet Rosés, and delicious Sparkling wines.
House of Rose
Beautiful and quaint, House of Rose is surrounded by vineyards and orchards. All their wines are 100% vegan, Okanagan grown and crafted, hand-picked, and soft pressed. They've just launched the 2020 Rose-eh! and are currently open for tastings and purchases. Check their website for further information.
The Vibrant Vine
The Vibrant Vines provides an experience like no other. Wine, Art and Music meet here. Upon arrival, you will be handed a pair of 3D glasses to begin your 3D experience, and the fun doesn’t stop there! All the artwork in the tasting room, on the walls, the bottles, and clothing is 3D! The Vibrant Vine has a varied selection of wines that includes crisp and dry traditional method sparkling, aromatic whites, and full-bodied reds. The tasting room is currently open for tastings and wine purchases. Visit their website for updates and wine purchases.
Kitsch Wines
#OKANAGANINAGLASS Kitsch Wines produces small-batch, high-quality wines, and mange to merge fun with sophistication. Their estate garage tasting room is the definition of cool, blending contemporary art, fun beats, and stunning vistas of the city. They are currently open for tastings and tours. The single-vineyard wines embody the region’s rich soil and sun-soaked valley. Kitsch is currently open for tastings and tours - reservations are recommended. Visit their website for updates and further information.
The View Winery and Wards Cider
Built on history, and committed to quality, The View Winery is tucked into an authentic 1920s-era vintage building, which was an apple packing house for generations. They offer award-winning, aromatic, cool-climate whites and fruit-forward, spicy reds. The winery is open for tastings and in-store wine purchases. Visit their website for online sales and more information.
SpearHead Winery
SpearHead, named one of Canada’s Top 10 Small Wineries at the National Wine Awards in 2019, focuses on premium quality wine produced from grapes grown on their estate vineyard and from selected Okanagan Valley vineyards. Spearhead is known primarily for its Pinot Noirs (approximately 80% of 15 acres of vines is comprised of this varietal), however, they also produce Chardonnay and Riesling wines. They are currently open for tastings - reservations are recommended. Visit their website for contact information.
Priest Creek Family Estate Winery
The new kid on the block, Priest Creek Family Estate Winery opened its doors a year ago in the southeast bench. With beautiful mountain vistas in every direction, a stunning terrace area, and a boutique-style tasting room, the winery will become a must-visit on the trail. They are open daily for tastings, and also offer wine deliveries, and online purchases. Check out their website for more information.
Forbidden Spirits Distilling Co.
Set on an idyllic 20 acres of apple orchards and surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of southeast Kelowna, Forbidden Spirits captures the purest essence of the area's finest produce. They produce small-batch hand-crafted spirits in a handmade traditional copper still, which you can watch work from the tasting room! They are currently open for tastings and cocktails. Visit their website for contact information.
Meadow Vista Honey Wines
Meadow Vista Honey Wines offers a really unique experience. Not only can you visit to taste their delicious mead (wines made from honey), shop local products from their tasting room such as beeswax candles, teas, and of course honey, enjoy their picnic area, but you can also visit their farm and learn all about the bees. They are currently open for tastings and in-store purchases. Visit their website for more information.
Also Nearby
Camelot Vineyards Estate Winery
As the name implies, Camelot Vineyards offers a medieval-themed wine tasting room, which includes a six-foot suit of armour, assorted shields, swords, and jousting gloves, as well as a replica of the round table from King Arthur’s court. Currently, open on the weekends for tastings. Please visit their website for up-to-date information.
Nagging Doubt Winery
Producing wines that showcase the unique flavours of the valley, Nagging Doubt is an authentic artisanal winery. Handcrafted from start to finish, they use a combination of modern and traditional techniques to produce their wines. They are currently open for tastings. Check out their website for more information.
