19 Best Okanagan Valley Wineries

Planning a weekend of exploring the best Okanagan Valley wineries? You’re in luck! There are over 150 wineries in the Okanagan Valley, growing anything from Pinot Noir to Reisling to Cabernet Sauvignon, and more!

While Okanagan Valley wine may be well-known in Canada, it is a bit of a mystery to those outside the country. Why? Well, mostly due to supply and demand. Okanagan Valley grows far less wine than places like Napa, Sonoma, or even wine destinations around the world. 

This means what is made is quickly purchased by people in the area, and very few get shipped outside the country. So while you won’t find it on a wine list in many restaurants in the US, that doesn’t mean Okanagan wine isn’t great.

Because it is! So… I guess you’ll just have to spend time exploring the wineries in the Okanagan Valley for yourself! Oh darn…

That’s where I come in! Luckily, I had the chance to take a trip to Kelowna during a wine conference and did plenty of “research.” You’re welcome! 

So these are the best wineries to visit in the Okanagan Valley that’ll make you want to book your trip there ASAP! 

What Makes the Wineries in the Okanagan Valley So Special? 

While wine growing here dates back to the 1850s, it has had a slow start thanks in part to things like Prohibition, and even after that, many wineries really only focused on fruit wines and hybrids. 

It wasn’t until the 1970s that wine growers started to experiment with different styles of grapes, and it started to come into its own around the 1990s, and more so in this century. 

What makes the wine here so special is that while places in British Columbia like Vancouver see a lot of rainfall and chillier temperatures year-round, the Okanagan Valley actually is pretty dry thanks to the Coastal Mountain Range. 

It also gets a lot of sunshine, especially in the summertime. So while summers are shorter than many other wine-growing destinations, it does get quite hot (even reaching temperatures during the day of 80-90ºF+ or 27-32ºC+!) and the sun shines longer during the day as it is further north.

Due to all this, you can find some great quality wines growing along the slopes of the Okanagan Valley. Wines like Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Reisling, etc. can be made here, with the southern part of the valley growing more robust reds and the northern and central parts growing lighter-bodied wines. 

19 Best Okanagan Valley Wineries

Okay, now that we’ve established why you definitely need to give these vineyards in the Okanagan Valley a try, let’s talk about which places make the best wines in the Okanagan Valley. 

To split this list of the Okanagan Valley’s best wineries, we’re breaking it down into categories like best wineries in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Penticton, and Oliver/Osoyoos area. While there are several sub-regions according to the British Columbia Wine Institute, I’ve grouped them more into geographical areas. 

Here is a list of the 19 best wineries in the Okanagan Valley. For more details, keep reading below! 

1. Tantalus Vineyards
2. Summerhill Pyramid Winery
3. CedarCreek Estate Winery
4. Ancient Hill Winery
5. Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
6. Quails’ Gate
7. Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery
8. Off the Grid Organic Winery
9. Arrowleaf Cellars
10. Gray Monk Estate
11. 50th Parallel Estate
12. Intrigue Wines
13. Poplar Grove Winery
14. Dirty Laundry Vineyard
15. Haywire Winery
16. Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery
17. Phantom Creek Estates
18. NK’Mip Cellars
19. Burrowing Owl Estate

Best BC Wineries in the Okanagan Valley

Whether you want to taste delectable Pinot Noirs or bold Cabernet Sauvignons, these are the best wineries in the Okanagan Valley.

Best Wineries in Kelowna, BC

Let’s kick this off with a place you’re probably going to visit during your trip to discover the best BC wineries in the Okanagan Valley. As Okanagan Valley’s largest city, you’re going to likely fly here and stay for the most part. 

There are also some fantastic vineyards in Kelowna to check out! Without further ado, let’s talk about it. 

1. Tantalus Vineyards

Address: 1670 DeHart Rd, Kelowna, BC

Hours: Open April until winter from 10 am-6 pm

Wines to Try: Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir

Tasting Cost: $10 CAD

One of the best wineries in Kelowna to visit has to be Tantalus Vineyards. This vineyard is located on the oldest wine-growing property in the region. While this place started in 2005, it took over from a former winery with special vines and then grew a name for itself initially for its Reisling. 

Nowadays, you can enjoy many other wines, but Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are some of the best. 

This winery is also the first LEED-certified winery in British Columbia in recognition of its eco-friendly wine estate. 

The wine grown in this part of the Okanagan Valley is mostly lighter-bodied, which Tantalus does so well. You can enjoy their Flagship Tasting which includes Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc Rose, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. 

And you’ll love their beautiful wine labels, which feature masks made by Tlingit artist, Dempsey Bob. 

2. Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Address: 4870 Chute Lake Rd, Kelowna, BC

Hours: Open daily from 11 am-7 pm

Wines to Try: Cipes Blanc de Blanc, Cipes Brut, and Cipes Brut Rose

Tasting Cost: $10 CAD

Summerhill Pyramid Winery is certainly one of the more unique-looking Okanagan, BC wineries. With a giant Egyptian-style pyramid, this is a fun place to check out during your time wine tasting.

What makes this place special is how they make wine. They are big on organic growing and biodiversity when it comes to creating their wine, meaning their vineyards look a bit more “wild” than other places. 

They allow other plants to grow in the vineyards in order to attract insects that aid in grape growing as well as benefit the soil. Their wine is also vegan without animal byproducts in the wine-making process.

This winery is also known for its sparkling wine. So for those who are fans of bubbly, this is the place to go. 

3. CedarCreek Estate Winery

Address: 445 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna, BC

Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday from 12-6 pm. Closed on Monday.

Wines to Try: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc

Tasting Cost: Start at $20 CAD

While all of these Okanagan wineries have stunning views, you can enjoy the views at CedarCreek Estate Winery even inside the tasting room with its floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Plus, this vineyard is also using biodiversity to aid in its winemaking. They have bees on the property as well as chickens and adorable Scottish Highland Cows. To protect them all is their big dog named Deo. 

Tastings here start around $20 CAD, and to enhance it even more, you can pair it with a Mezza Plate to really savor each sip. For lovers of Pinot Noir, you may just enjoy their Chronicles of Pinot tasting complete with 5 styles of Pinot Noir.

While they have quite a few award-winning wines, you’ll definitely want to sample some Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc.

4. Ancient Hill Winery

Address: 4918 Anderson Rd, Kelowna, BC

Hours: March-October daily from 10:30 am-5:30 pm. Contact them for tastings from November-February. 

Wines to Try: Baco Noir and Pinot Gris

Tasting Cost: Less than $10 CAD

This European-style winery will transport you to a delightful afternoon in Tuscany! Ancient Hill Winery makes delicious wine all grown and processed on-site, and they only plant grapes that they know will do well here. 

And they certainly do well. Have a taste of their flagship red: Baco Noir, with hints of spice, black cherry, and chocolate, or their fresh and fruity Pinot Gris and relax with beautiful views of the vineyards. 

Best Wineries in West Kelowna

As you can see, there are quite a few wineries located around Kelowna and West Kelowna. So, here are some of the best West Kelowna wineries that you’ll want to visit! 

5. Mission Hill Family Estate Winery

Address: 1730 Mission Hill Rd, West Kelowna, BC

Hours: Monday-Friday from 12-6 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 11 am-6 pm. 

Wines to Try: Oculus and Reserve Syrah

Tasting Cost: Starting at $25 CAD

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery may just have the most beautiful views. First of all, it sits overlooking Okanagan Lake and you can see the stunning mountains on the other side. 

Aside from the lovely architecture of this spacious estate, if you come here for sunset, you’ll be astounded by the view! 

So my recommendation is to book dinner here to really enjoy their wines paired with their local, seasonal cuisine. 

But if you want to come for a tasting (or do a tasting before dinner), you’re in for a treat. A must-try wine is their Oculus. This is their flagship wine and is styled after a Bordeaux with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. 

6. Quails’ Gate 

Address: 1730 Mission Hill Rd, West Kelowna, BC

Hours: Daily 11 am-6 pm

Wines to Try: Family Reserve Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Tasting Cost: Starting at $15 CAD

Another lovely wine estate in the Okanagan Valley, this West Kelowna winery offers some excellent tastings including an Estate Tasting, Collector Tasting, and Big Reds Tasting.

I’ll be honest in that all the wines I tasted here were great, including their Pinot Gris and Riesling. Another must-try is the Queue, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. So come book a tasting to try the best that Quails’ Gate has to offer. 

And after admiring the view, you can head just down the road for dinner at Mission Hill.

7. Mt Boucherie Estate Winery

Address: 829 Douglas Rd, West Kelowna, BC

Hours: Daily from 11:30 am-6 pm

Wines to Try: Reserve Malbec, Reserve Syrah, and “La Graves Robber”

Tasting Cost: $10 CAD

This modern-looking winery has more beautiful views, especially one of Mt Boucherie, for which it is the namesake. 

Even the logo at the entrance you’ll find looks a lot like the beautiful mountain. 

A tasting here includes Mt. Boucherie, Modest, and Reserve wines, which include both red and white wines. 

You can also add a charcuterie and cheese board from their restaurant, the Modest Butcher, to pair with your tasting. 

And if you don’t get the chance to try it during your tasting, you may want to have a glass of their Estate Rose which is also perfect for a warm summer day. 

8. Off The Grid Organic Winery

Address: 3623 Glencoe Rd, West Kelowna, BC

Hours: Daily from 11 am-5 pm. Open until 7 pm on Thursday during June-September.

Wines to Try: Unoaked Chardonnay and Unplugged Red

Tasting Cost: Starting at $11.50 CAD

Off the Grid is another fantastic organic winery featuring some great white wines, and their Unplugged Red and White. The Unplugged wines feature a blend of premium first-pressed grapes, making a fantastic glass of wine to sip on the patio or by the fire.  

They also feature unoaked wines like their Unoaked Chardonnay and Unoaked Pinot Gris. So if you aren’t a fan of oak, this is a great place to try these wines. 

And if you want to try some wild-fermented wines, this is the place for you too. They aren’t afraid to experiment to create the perfect sip. 

During the summertime, this is a fun place to enjoy the outdoors with food from their food truck or Sunday morning yoga! 

Best Wineries in Lake Country

Want to head up north in the Okanagan Valley? Then you’re going to want to check out the best BC wineries in Lake Country!

9. Arrowleaf Cellars

Address: 1574 Camp Rd, Lake Country, BC

Hours: Daily from March 1-December 23. Open March-April on Monday-Friday from 12-6 pm, Saturday from 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday from 11 am-5 pm. May-October is open daily from 11 am-6 pm. Open November through December 23 from 11 am-4 pm.

Wines to Try: Chardonnay and Riesling

Tasting Cost: $6 CAD

This family-owned and operated winery has been producing wine since 2001, and used to actually grow grapes for Gray Monk Winery (which we’ll discuss below).

And while they’ve won awards for their Chardonnay and Riesling (which are certainly must-try wines!) they have some interesting wines too like their Skin Fermented Riesling and Skin Fermented Pinot Gris. 

They also make some great sparkling wines like their Wildblume white sparking wine featuring floral and lemon flavors. 

10. Gray Monk Estate

Address: 1055 Camp Rd, Lake Country, BC

Hours: Sunday-Wednesday from 11 am-4 pm and Thursday-Saturday from 11 am-5 pm.

Wines to Try: Pinot Gris and Odyssey Traditional Brut

Tasting Cost: Starting at $10 CAD

Gray Monk Estate began in 1976 and was the first winery in Lake Country. They made a name for themselves with their Pinot Gris, which was one of the first varietals they planted. 

This place has quite a few tasting options, including a Sparkle + Savour Experience which includes both still and sparkling wines paired with chips, their Taste of the Estate which includes wines from their Estate series, and Our Odessey, which includes both sparkling and red wines from their Odyssey collection. 

You can also opt for a casual walk-in tasting to learn more about their winery and wine. 

Of course, being known for their Pinot Gris, this is a must-try. However, they have quite a few wines to try during your visit, including the Odyssey sparkling wines, their Merlot, their Pinot Auxerrois, and even their own port. 

11. 50th Parallel Estate 

Address: 17101 Terrace View Rd, Lake Country, BC

Hours: Fall/Winter hours are Thursday-Monday from 12-5 pm. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Summer hours are Thursday-Saturday and Monday from 12-8 pm and Sunday from 11 am-8 pm. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Wines to Try: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Tasting Cost: $15 CAD

Enjoy the views of the surrounding Okanagan Valley vineyards as you sip wine in their Transparent Tasting Room. 

This award-winning winery certainly makes anything from fabulous Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to other lighter-bodied wines like Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer. 

Something unique you can get here is their Glamour Farming wine in a can. You can pick up a 4-pack to take to your next party or to have on a warm afternoon on the patio. 

And if you want to have a meal while sipping that wine, you can book a table at their restaurant Block One, which has incredible outdoor seating! 

12. Intrigue Wines

Address: 2291 Goldie Rd, Lake Country, BC

Hours: The wine shop is open daily from 10 am-6 pm. Tastings are available from 10 am-5 pm.

Wines to Try: Pinot Gris, Social Sparkling, and Social Rose

Tasting Cost: $5 CAD

Intrigue Wines is a fantastic place to go on a warm summer’s day. They have a large picnic area to relax in that is open every day from May through October. 

Pack in your own picnic lunch and you can pair it with some wine at the estate. Forgot your snacks? They also have charcuterie boxes and other items for sale too. 

This is also great for dog lovers, as the picnic area is pet-friendly! 

If you can’t tell by their wines to try above, being social is what it is all about here! Kick back in their picnic area while sipping their Social Rose composed of Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Rotberger, Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir- a social pairing indeed! 

Even the Social Sparkling is comprised of varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Gewurtztraminer. 

And for a lighter-bodied white non-sparkling wine, opt for their Riesling. 

Best Wineries in the Okanagan Valley Near Penticton, BC

Okay, now you’ve explored the best wineries in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country. So let’s head south to the bottom of Okanagan Lake to the best wineries in Penticton. 

13. Poplar Grove Winery

Address: 425 Middle Bench Rd N, Penticton, BC

Hours: Daily from 11 am-5 pm

Wines to Try: Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and The Legacy 

Tasting Cost: $10 CAD

With a variety of great wines to choose from, you’ll enjoy your tasting at Poplar Grove Winery! 

Some favorites include their award-winning Syrah with hints of raspberry, vanilla, and pepper, or their Cabernet Franc with flavors of toffee and cherry pie. 

The Legacy is another great one to try as it is spicy with flavors of black currents and dark berries. This wine is a delicate blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. 

The wines here are a bit fuller-bodied than the more northern Okanagan wines, so you’re going to have some tasty reds here like their Cabernet Franc and Syrah mentioned above. However, they make a fantastic Rose, Pinot Gris, and sparkling wine. And for dessert, they even have a fortified wine. 

This is also a great place to have lunch after your tasting and pair it with a glass or two of their best wines. 

14. Dirty Laundry Vineyard

Address: 7311 Fiske St, Summerland, BC

Hours: Monday-Saturday from 11 am-4 pm. Closed on Sundays. 

Wines to Try: Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling

Tasting Cost: $6 CAD

With a unique name, it comes from the former laundry shop here with an upstairs full of vices that were certainly frowned upon back in the 1800s. 

Today, they are known not for their “dirty laundry,” but for being a winery that has something for all tastes. This includes wine, beer, and food like pizza and BBQ. Dirty Laundry Vineyard is a relaxing spot for a tasting and casual lunch, complete with views overlooking the old Kettle Valley Rail Trail. Or, for those who prefer the shade, you can sit under a lattice of grapevines. 

So while you can certainly taste great wines here, for those who prefer beer, you can head to their restaurant for a pint of local craft beer. 

Some of their wines to try include their lighter-bodied wines like the Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. 

15. Haywire Winery

Address: 16576 Fosbery Rd, Summerland, BC

Hours: Daily from 11 am-5 pm

Wines to Try: Gamay Rose, Pinot Gris, and Pink Bub Sparkling Wine

Tasting Cost: Starting at $10 CAD

Known for gently aging their wines in concrete tanks and eggs, Haywire Winery likes to take it low and slow, making fruit-forward and beautifully constructed wines. 

The wines they grow include cool climate varietals like Pinot Noir, Gamay, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. 

This organic vineyard’s winemaking facility is home to other wine labels that you can potentially taste in their tasting room. 

Aside from a tasting, they offer wines by the glass, wine flights, cocktails, and things to nibble. And if you want to learn more about how they make their wines, you can book their Raised in Concrete experience which includes a tasting with small bites.

This is a great place to try their Gamay Rose, Pink Bub Sparkling Wine, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Even their lighter reds like Gamay and Pinot Noir are fabulous as well. They really understand their climate and which grapes work best.

16. Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery

Address: 2320 Oliver Ranch Rd, Okanagan Falls, BC

Hours: Open Thursdays through Sundays from 11 am-4 pm. Closed Monday-Wednesday.

Wines to Try: 20th Anniversary Sparkling, Mingle, and Noble Meritage 

Tasting Cost: $10 CAD

Located about 30 minutes south of Penticton, you’re starting to edge into the Southern Okanagan Valley. This is technically in the Okanagan Falls Appelation. 

At this winery, you’ll see beautiful views of Vaseux Lake, especially if you sit out in their picnic area. Bring a picnic of your own or purchase some meats and cheeses to pair with one of their iconic wines. 

Some wines to try include their award-winning 20th Anniversary Sparkling wine, which has amazing flavors of almond, lemon, and even a hint of caramel. Made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this vintage is made like those in Champagne. 

Mingle is always a crowd favorite with its blend of Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling. This off-dry wine is perfect for a picnic outdoors in the summertime. 

Also, the Noble Meritage, which combines Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, is perfect for those who love a nice dark berry and chocolatey bold wine. 

Best Wineries in the Oliver and Osoyoos Area

Now we’re diving deeper south in the Okanagan Valley to find even more vineyards! Less than an hour from the US/Canada border in the Okanagan Valley, you can find some fantastic fuller-bodied wines! 

17. Phantom Creek Estates

Address: 4315 Black Sage Rd, Oliver, BC

Hours: Friday-Sunday from 11 am-5 pm. Closed Monday-Thursday. 

Wines to Try: Phantom Creek Cuvee, Estate Merlot, and Syrah

Tasting Cost: Starting at $25 CAD

This winery, which began in 1996, is known for making some of the best red wines in Canada. Here you can have a lovely seated tasting where you can add on the chef’s selection of seasonal food pairings to enhance your flight even more. 

Or, you can even tour their stunning estate complete with several barrel rooms for aging. It is during this tour you can learn even more about their organic and biodynamic growing process. 

After you’ve been on the tour, definitely check out the outside terrace with sweeping views of the valley. 

Some wines to try here include many of the reds. While their Pinot Gris is also delicious, it is well worth tasting their reds as this part of the Okanagan Valley is great for red wines. Sample their Phantom Creek Cuvee with tastes of dark fruit. 

Their Estate Merlot and Syrah are also well worth tasting during your time at Phantom Creek Estates.

18. NK’Mip Cellars

Address: 1400 Rancher Creek Rd, Osoyoos, BC

Hours: Daily 10 am-5 pm

Wines to Try: Mer’r’iym, Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon, and Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir

Tasting Cost: Starting at $5 CAD

NK’Mip Cellars is the first indigenous-owned and operated winery in North America. The Osoyoos Indian Band lives in the hottest and driest part of Canada, and NK’Mip even translates into “Bottomland” as it is at the bottom of the Osoyoos Reservation.

They aim to honor their land and culture with their wine production, with even their wine labels honoring their heritage. 

This winery has stunning views of Osoyoos Lake and vineyards, and you can also grab lunch at their Patio Restaurant, which offers farm-to-table dishes. 

They are known for their Qwam Qwmt premium wines, and Qwam Qwmt means “achieving excellence” in the Okanagan language spoken by the Osoyoos Indian Band. Some great wines to try in this category include Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

They also have wines called Mer’r’iym meaning “marriage.” These wines are perfect blends including the Mer’r’iym which contains Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. 

There is also the White Mer’r’iym which is comprised of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. 

19. Burrowing Owl Estate 

Address: 500 Burrowing Owl Pl, Oliver, BC

Hours: February 1-13 open Monday-Friday from 10 am-4 pm. February 14-April 30 open daily from 10 am-4 pm. May 1-October 14 open daily from 10 am-6 pm. 

Wines to Try: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc

Tasting Cost: $5 CAD

Burrowing Owl Estate is eco-friendly and even has solar panels all over their roofs and in the parking lot to help offset carbon emissions. 

Named for those adorable burrowing owls, you may spot one as an ambassador around the wine shop. These rescued owls are closely monitored by the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society and seem to enjoy popping up to say hello to visitors. 

Some wines to try at Burrowing Owl Estate include their Cabernet Sauvignon with dark berry and herbal flavors and their Cabernet Franc with hints of floral flavors and dark fruit. 

Okanagan Valley Wine Map: Where to Find the Best Okanagan Valley Wineries

Where to Stay For Tasting the Okanagan Valley’s Best Wineries

Staying in Kelowna is likely your best bet when it comes to wine tasting in the area, although you can find some accommodations in places like Lake Country and Penticton. 

Here are some hotel options to choose from. 

Kelowna: The Royal Anne Hotel

This place is nice and comfortable with views of the surrounding area including the city, mountains, and lake. This place also has a free airport shuttle and free breakfast.

Book it here!

Kelowna: Delta Hotels By Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort

This lovely hotel sits along the lake and has stunning views of the lake and mountains. We stayed here during our visit to Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley and it was so beautiful. Plus, included in the resort fee is a credit for food on the property and a complimentary wine tasting in the evenings. 

Book it here!

Penticton: Kettle Valley Beach Resort

Located across the street from Okanagan Lake, you’ll have great views. Plus, you’re minutes away from downtown Penticton as well as several wineries, restaurants, breweries, and more! Plus, guests receive discounts for bike tours of the wineries, kayak tours, etc. This is perfect for relaxing at the lake inbetween winery hopping. 

Book it here!

Okanagan Wineries With Accommodations

For those who want to get the full vineyard experience, you can also choose to stay at one of many great vineyard hotels in the Okanagan Valley. With charming guesthouses, you’ll be able to fully embrace wine country. 

Some wineries that also have accommodations for guests include:

• Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
• Summerhill Pyramid Winery
• The Lake House at Quails’ Gate
• Mt. Boucherie Estate Hotel

When to Visit For Wine Tasting in the Okanagan Valley

As you can see by some of the hours above, many places are either closed or have reduced hours during the winter months. While people certainly do visit the Okanagan Valley in the winter for skiing, it isn’t the best time for wine tasting.

However, for the wineries that are open, there are fewer crowds than during the summer and autumn months when it is more popular to come. 

But your best bet for wine tasting is during the months of May through October. This is also when the weather is warmer. These are also great months to go hiking, boating, kayaking, etc. in the nearby area. 

Getting to the Okanagan Valley

You can certainly drive from Vancouver or Banff to get here. It is about a 4.5-hour drive from downtown Vancouver to get to Kelowna. From Banff, it is about 5-6 hours away. 

However, the easiest way to get here would be to fly into Kelowna. From here, you can rent a car or go on tours of the area. 

Check Skyscanner for rental car prices! 

Getting Around the Okanagan Valley

This depends on how deep you want to explore. If you’re just going to Kelowna and West Kelowna, you could get by getting a URide from place to place, which is the local area’s ride-sharing app. 

However, if you plan to explore more of the area including Penticton, Oliver/Osoyoos, or Lake Country, you’re going to need a car. 

This means, of course, you’ll need to drink responsibly, have a DD, etc. 

Or, you could go on tours of the area and have someone else handle the driving. 

Here are some great Okanagan Valley Tours: 

• Kelowna Sunset Wine Tour
• West Kelowna Afternoon Sightseeing and Wine Tour
• East Kelowna Wineries Tour and Lunch
• Lake Country Wineries Tour and Lunch
• Lake Country Half-Day Wine Tour
• Penticton Wineries Tour and Lunch
• Penticton: Naramata Bench Full-Day Guided Wine Tour
• Oliver Full-Day Guided Wine Tour
• Osoyoos Full-Day Guided Wine Tour

What to Pack For a Trip to Visit the Best Okanagan Wineries

This largely depends on when you visit, but temperatures are pretty comfortable outside between May through September, with some pretty hot days in July and August. 

Also, wineries for the most part are pretty casual, so you can wear a nice pair of jeans or trousers, comfortable flats or shoes, and a nice top.

If you want to dress up, here is a cute sundress you could pair with sandals. 

Other than that, if you go in the winter, you’ll want to dress warmly. 

And even though daytime temperatures can get quite hot during the summer, it cools off quite a bit in the evenings, so you may want to pack a jacket or sweater to stay warm after sunset. 

If you plan to explore the cities or get out on the lake, you’ll definitely want to pack extra things like shorts and jeans (depending on the time of the year), comfortable walking shoes, flip-flops, a bathing suit, and a cover-up. 

Tips for Visiting the Best Okanagan Valley Wineries

Here are a couple of tips for visiting the best wineries in the Okanagan Valley.

1. Many wineries open around 11 am and close at 5 pm. Most wineries open between 10 am-12 pm and close around 5 pm. So don’t expect it to be a late night. 
2. Drink responsibly. As always when it comes to alcohol, drink responsibly. 
3. Many wineries close in the winter. As I have said above, many wineries close or have reduced opening hours during the winter months. As such, summer and autumn are better times to visit. 
4. Several wineries highly recommend reserving tastings in advance. While many do allow walk-ins, during busier times of year, it is advisable to book your tastings ahead of time. Check the winery you’d like to visit’s website to see what they recommend. 
5. Want more Canada travel ideas? Check out these posts: Weekend in Kelowna Itinerary, How to Spend 3 Days in Vancouver, Montreal in 3 Days, How to Spend a Weekend in Quebec City, Ultimate Vancouver Honeymoon Guide, Romantic Things to Do in Vancouver, and Best Canadian Honeymoon Destinations. 

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