Wineries throughout the valley are abundant and vary in size, attractions and production. Red and white varietals from Germany, France and California are popular among vinters. Tours of the wineries can be taken, or you can explore yourself. The Tourist Office or your hotel can…Read More

Wineries throughout the valley are abundant and vary in size, attractions and production. Red and white varietals from Germany, France and California are popular among vinters. Tours of the wineries can be taken, or you can explore yourself. The Tourist Office or your hotel can help with details and arrangements. One of the most sought after wines by visitors is the famed icewine. Icewine is dependent on constant cold temperatures (-10C) for harvest. This sweet desert wine is expensive but well worth the investment. My favorite wineries are Summerhill Estate Winery and St. Hubertus. Summerhill is an all in one destination to Canadian culture. The winery is known for its organic wines that are aged in a pyramid. Also on site are a Kikuli (a tradition native dirt house) and a pioneer log house belonging to one of Kelowna's first settlers. The tours are free and informative into the wine making process. The onsite bistro is also a recommended visit for paring the delicious wines with food. St. Hubertus (just down the road from Summerhill) is another organic winery. The winery is much smaller than Summerhill and has a quaint and peaceful atmosphere. This is also the best place to get good quality icewine for cheap. Icewine here starts at $33 a bottle (compare with $70-$100+ at other wineries). I recommend trying the icewine on site served in a chocolate cup. The whole experience is delightful for all senses. Mission Hill winery is a popular stop for tourists, but I personally do not think that it is worth the enterance fee. The view from the winery is amazing but the tour and wine lack the substance and flair that Summerhill and St. Hubertus have. Drive along one of the many orchard roads in Kelowna and you are bound to discover one of the many small, family run wineries. Each had their own unique flair and personality. Maps are avaliable at the Wine Museum (located in the wine museum) and at the Tourist Office.Close

There are more than 30 wineries within an hour drive from Kelowna and many are open year round for tours and tastings. Both reds and whites are produced as well as ice wine. Some wineries charge a small fee for the tours and…Read More

There are more than 30 wineries within an hour drive from Kelowna and many are open year round for tours and tastings. Both reds and whites are produced as well as ice wine. Some wineries charge a small fee for the tours and others are free. You can ask about winery bus tours at the Tourist Office in Kelowna but it's much more enjoyable to do it on your own, at your own pace because many of the wineries are in picturesque settings that invite you to stay awhile and have lunch or a snack or just soak up the ambience. One of my favourite wineries is Gray Monk Estate Winery at 1055 Camp Road, Okanagan Centre, phone (250) 766 3168. It is one of the oldest wineries in the region and is situated atop a hill with sloped vineyards leading down to Lake O. There is a large deck that overlooks the Lake and it's a great place to linger with a glass of wine and a deli plate. Another winery that has been getting rave reviews is Quail's Gate Estate Winery at 3303 Boucherie Rd., Kelowna (250) 769 4451. Tastings are conducted in a quaint log cabin surrounded by park like grounds. Summerhill Estate Winery, 4870 Chute Lake Rd., Kelowna (250) 764 8000 actually has a replica of Egypt's Great Pyramid that they use to age their wines. Unlike Gray Monk and Quail's Gate, they produce only white and dessert wines (no reds).

During the Wine Festival in the fall, many Kelowna restaurants offer special meals that pair the region's wines with multiple course dinners for a set price. There are also lots of wine tasting events, parties and dances to celebrate the harvest. This is another very popular time and accommodations should be booked as far in advance as possible.