As one of Canada’s premier wine destinations, it’s no secret that the Okanagan is home to a fantastic selection of wineries and vineyards. Visitors come from all around the world to sample the prestige wines pressed and bottled right here in Kelowna, and there is a wide variety of tours and experiences showcasing some of the very best.

But for those looking for a more in-depth experience that takes you behind the scenes and into the heart of the process behind your favourite bottles, there are more than a handful of wineries offering a peek behind the curtain. From winery tours and vineyard walks to exclusive tastings and insights from professional guides familiar with the heart of what goes into each and every bottle, you’ll find no shortage of opportunities to learn about the winemaking process and what makes it tick here in the Okanagan.

Gray Monk Estate Winery: Estate Tour

Located north of Kelowna in scenic Lake Country, Gray Monk Estate Winery is one of the Okanagan’s oldest and most prestigious wineries. As the winemakers responsible for introducing Pinot Gris to the region, their Gray Monk Estate Tour will take you through both the history and the wine in all its facets, with fantastic views of the lake and valley to boot.

Grizzli Winery: Unlock the Secrets of Wine Making Tour

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Grizzli Winery is one of Kelowna’s community-inspired, family-centred wineries. With a wide selection of wines and experiences available, it’s no surprise that their ‘Unlock the Secrets of Winemaking’ tour is one that shouldn’t be missed. This 60-minute family-friendly experience will take you through the steps of the grape-growing process, the intricacies of vinification techniques, and finish off with a guided wine flight and charcuterie spread. It’s an experience you won’t forget!

Meadow Vista Honey Wines: Self-Guided Bee Tour

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One of Southeast Kelowna’s most unique wineries, Meadow Vista Honey Wines' claim to fame comes from its fantastic eponymous honey wines. With an expansive bee farm and gorgeous on-site gardens, Meadow Vista is a premier spot to explore in Kelowna’s southeast. You can take their 'Self-Guided Bee Tour' across their property to see the magic in action for yourself, or join in one of their seasonal event tours that explore different parts of the winery throughout the year. There’s really nothing else like it here in the Okanagan.

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery: Tour & Tasting

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Mission Hill Family Estate Winery in West Kelowna is an icon of the Kelowna wine scene for a reason. With their fantastic selection, gorgeous location, and remarkable presence in the international wine scene, people come from all over the world to explore what they have on offer. Their special Tour and Tasting experience embraces this prestige, leading guests on a guided tour of their barrel cellar with a short historical account of the winery alongside. Capped off with a specialized wine and food pairing, this tour is a finely crafted treat for the connoisseurs of the world.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery: Pyramid Visit and Tasting Tour

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Boasted right in the winery’s name, Summerhill Pyramid Winery’s on-site pyramid is one of the most unique sights of a Kelowna wine tour. For those curious about this geometric wonder of the Okanagan, Summerhill offers two distinct experiences to explore. The 45-minute ‘Pyramid Visit and Tasting Tour’ runs daily at 2PM and allows guests to experience the mystery of the structure firsthand. The longer 90-minute ‘VIP Pyramid Experience & Sparkling Wine Tour’ offers a more exclusive in-depth tour of the winery’s production facilities and the methods behind their world-famous sparkling wine. If you’re curious about the unique philosophy of this unique place, there’s no better way to find out more than experiencing it for yourself.

Volcanic Hills Estate Winery: Proprietor Tour

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If you’re looking for some personal insight on the Okanagan’s wine industry, it’s hard to do better than Volcanic Hills Estate Winery’s ‘Proprietor Tour’ in West Kelowna. Nestled in the shadow of West Kelowna’s iconic Mount Boucherie, this unique tour will give you the chance to tour the grounds and winemaking facilities alongside Volcanic Hills’ owner and founder Bobby Gidda. If you have any questions about the winery, the vineyards, or any part of the winemaking process, there’s no better person to ask than the person behind it all!

Go Beyond the Tasting Room with Kelowna’s and the Okanagan Valley's Wine Tours

These are just a few of the many incredible wineries located here in the Okanagan Valley. And hopefully with your new understanding of what makes the industry here tick, you’ll gain a greater appreciation of everything that goes into your favourite bottles of wine. So go forth and enjoy; explore the many diverse tastes and profiles on offer to you in Kelowna and beyond, be it at your own pace or alongside one of our fantastic regional wine tours!

Enjoy!