Seven wineries to visit in the Okanagan and Kamloops this spring
The Okanagan is known for, above all else, being a top wine producing region in British Columbia.
Who doesn’t love to get a little dressed up, walk around a vineyard and sip on some local red, white and sparkling wine made from ripe grapes, grown right in the Okanagan.
To help you discover something truly great and local, iNFOnews.ca compiled a list of some calming, exotic, intimate and charming wineries in the cities of Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Kamloops for you, your friends or your family to discover this year.
KELOWNA
For those who like all things full of wonder and whimsy, add some adventure and whimsy to your wine tasting with Summerhill Pyramid Winery. This winery is a little mysterious, with two pyramids on the grounds to create wine full of sacred energy, body and bold aroma. Located at 4870 Chute Lake road, the winery originally had a single 900-square-foot pyramid on the grounds, which then expanded to an additional four-storey high foot pyramid. The pyramids are said to act as a clarifying chamber to store wine in a cool, dry place, while enhancing the natural flavours and notes of the wine. The pyramid was built on the land facing true north, as opposed to magnetic north, and to be lined up with the north star, without any interfering energies that could alter the pyramid's impact on the wine. With attractions like this, this vineyard offers wine tours unlike any other.
At $40 a person, the Summerhill Pyramid Winery offers a 45-minute pyramid visit and tasting tour, which includes in-depth tours of the vineyard, as well as the pyramid and a wine tasting every Thursday to Sunday at 2 p.m. beginning on May 1.
Alternatively, the VIP pyramid experience and sparkling wine tour takes an hour and a half of learning and tasting, including grape-growing education, exploring the method of sparkling wine, a sommelier-guided wine tasting with some wine-pairing snacks to boot. This tour is $100 and is guided by wine club staff, to show what makes the vineyard so magical.
For the history buffs, visit historic The View Winery and Vineyard, operating farm land since 1918. While originally farming apples and making the move to grapes in the 1990s, this winery offers an exciting experience for all guests. Located at 1-2287 Ward Road, open from May to September, this winery offers a Signature Estate Experience, that begins with a classic wine tasting in the heritage tasting room, which is then followed by a half hour, guided walking tour through the lush vineyards, where all the grapes are harvested to craft wines. After the hike, guests are invited to a private picnic, under the canopy of the estate's heritage apple trees. Picnic items include charcuterie, fresh fruit, preserves, artisan baguette and a bottle of Pearls Traditional Brut. This experience is valued at $200 and is to be booked for at least two individuals.
Additionally, a Private Picnic is also available for booking. Also beginning in the tasting room, a flight of five wines or ciders start the day, which is then followed by a picture perfect picnic scene, including a private table lined with linens under the old growth apple trees. With the table done up with linens, flowers, guests are brought a gourmet charcuterie box to snack on, and the purchase of wine or cider is available to those who wish to sample the result of the vineyards' yield. These tours are designed for pairs, though more guests are welcome.
KAMLOOPS
Just like the name, Privato Vineyard and Winery boasts of a private experience for all guests. Located at 5505 Westsyde Road, wine tastings are available at $10 a person, though the fee is waived with a purchase of three bottles of wine. With a selection of different tasting experiences to choose from, including the five fan favourite wines, standing and sipping in the tasting room filled with barrels is an experience on its own. A small food menu, also including vegan and gluten free options, is available if guests are looking for light bites. The tasting room is open from April 3 to May 31, Thursday to Monday 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and starting June 1 to Sept. 27, the winery is open every day.
If a more intimate setting is your thing, this is the winery for you. A wine garden patio, enveloped by pink flowers and fragrant pine trees also allows guests to enjoy wine, either by the bottle or by the glass, while surrounded by the sounds of nature. Picnic baskets filled with charcuterie, cheese, treats, crackers and dips are also available for purchase. The scenic gardens full of flowers are open for strolling through at each guest's leisure. Reservations can be made online, or by calling (250)-573-5300. Walk in’s also will be accommodated whenever possible, though openings without reservation are not guaranteed.
Sagewood Winery offers a cozy and intimate winery experience different to any other. Located at 589 Meadow Lark Road, the tasting room opens for the year starting May 4, from 12 p.m. to the late afternoon at $8.70 per guest, and the fee will be waived with a purchase of a bottle of wine. This family-run winery collects grapes from the vineyard on their property. Above all else, from planting the crop, harvesting, crafting, finishing and tasting wine, this winery boasts of the family touch on the business.
On the grounds is also a picnic area that offers shade from the sun, a fish pond and a miniature rock waterfall guests are encouraged to explore. Grabbing a bottle of chilled wine from the tasting room and bringing a packed picnic lunch is encouraged at this winery, and, as another added bonus, this winery is dog friendly so long as the furry pets are kept on a leash. Guests are encouraged to book their tasting and tours online, as the tastings are by appointment only. The family winery can be reached at (250)-573-1921, or shelly@sagewoodwinery.ca
READ MORE: iN PHOTOS: Heated domes provide one-of-a-kind Okanagan winter dining experience
PENTICTON
Ruby Blues Winery, located at 917 Naramata Road and open from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday, offers a unique and funky spin on wineries. Perfect for those who want a blast to the past, who miss their peace, love and happiness days, or who just want to admire the 70s aesthetic, this is the place to be. With constant rock music playing and two Volkswagen vans decked out in flowers and peace signs, vintage lovers should feel right at home visiting this winery. The tasting room is colourful and bright, filled with signature merchandise and of course, is ready with wines to sample from the vineyards on the Naramata Bench.
As a winery that fosters peace and love, employees are guided to speak to the growing grapevines with affection, as everything good should be nurtured and treated with love. If trying some wine that has been loved and cared for right from the beginning, has good vibes throughout its growing, fermenting and bottling stages sounds like something you'd like to try, this is the winery for you. While reservations cannot be made online, future guests can call (250)-276-5311, or email rubyblueswinery@shaw.ca for a reservation.
For those who appreciate and recognize a family business full of hard work, this is the winery to visit this spring. Da Silva Vineyard and Winery uses six vineyards for their wine in the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valley, and for only $15 and 40 minutes of your time, you can experience a seated tasting of five of their most desired wines. As the family immigrated from Portugal to the Okanagan in 1959, their hard work, motivation and determination led to the purchase of the orchard and they have been farming the land for 65 years since. The growers assess the soil type, climate and geography of each site before planting to ensure top quality grapes are grown to result in ultra-premium wine for drinkers and tasters alike. Each wine comes in specific glassware that best compliments the wine and season being experienced. Each wine is unique in its taste as a result of the vineyard it came from. While the wine tasting is complementary to wine club members only, the experience for non-members is worth the money.
Da Silva Vineyard also offers a full dining experience, at an additional cost, focusing mainly on Mexican and Portuguese cuisine. With over 30 different options of dishes, including meat, seafood and vegetarian options, there is something for everyone. Though the tasting room is currently closed until March 1 and only open on weekends until May from 12 p.m to 4 p.m., reservations can be made online or through calling the winery at 1-800-851-0903. The vineyard is located at 375 Upper Bench Road North.
VERNON
For those who love lakes, mountains, good views of the North Okanagan and wine, this is the place to be. The Perch Winery is quaint, family run and new to the winery industry on land right over Swan Lake, leaving guests with stunning views to enjoy while trying new, local wines. Starting off fresh in June of 2024, this winery offers wine tastings and a picnic area for families to enjoy their time. While currently only offering white wines, due to the frost that struck the Okanagan in 2023, red wine grapes are still growing for wine production in the future. With 10 acres of land and four acres of vines, the winery has so much to look at and explore, including a vintage, claw foot bathtub set up among the vines guests can visit and have a photoshoot in. While food is not currently available at this winery, there are hopes to have charcuterie and cheese for guests to enjoy in the future. Located at 7272 L and A Road, The Perch is open for wine tastings starting May 1 from Thursday to Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., or by appointment.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Bailey Zimmer or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here. Find our Journalism Ethics policy here.
