The Okanagan is fast becoming a worthy rival of Bordeaux, Tuscany and Napa. In fact, it is often referred to as the Napa of the North and was named #1 wine valley in the world by the Huffington Post. But this valley is much larger than you might think. There are over 130 wineries within the Okanagan and spread out from the North to the South along the US/Canada border.

The Okanagan Valley follows a long serpentine lake, the cold surrounding mountains and Canada’s only desert combine to create microclimates. These different climates within one valley create ideal and unique little areas to grow different varietals of wine. The valley is also renown for the cherries and apples making it the the envy of the rest of Canada for our produce.

This brief guide to the Okanagan wine valley is for visitors to see some of the best it has to offer. Albeit, much has been left out but it’s a great start for those visiting any area of the Okanagan, North, Central of South.

Wineries

North/Central – Lake Country/Kelowna/West Kelowna

Mission Hill Winery

 It’s so hard to choose favourites aiming the many show stopping wineries in the valley but someone has to do it! My favourite place visitors is Mission Hill Winery because of their amazing architecture, food and of course, wine. Views of the Okanagan Lake shine through amongst the loggia and bell tower creating an atmosphere that is both spiritual and distinctly Italian. And it’s no wonder as the owner of Mission Hill, Anthony Von Mandl, hired architect Tom Kundig most known for his church buildings.
I’ve returned to Mission Hill not only for the wine but also their culinary classes, restaurant, wine tours, and Summer concerts this year featuring Tony Bennett. Did I also mention that Mission Hill is built atop an extinct volcano? You can tour inside the Mission Hill wine cellar housed in the volcanic rock cave.

 

South – Penticton/Naramata

Therapy Vineyards/Serendipity Winery/Black Widow Winery

I am cheating a bit here since I am naming 3 wineries BUT they are all within a one minute drive of each other and are wines that you’d be hard pressed to find outside of British Columbia.

Therapy Vineyards is the perfect place to take a psychologist with a sense of humor. Each wine is named with a clever Freudian twist including Freudian Sip, Fizziotherapy, Super Ego, Freud’s Ego, Pink Freud….you get the point. They wines are delicious, the staff are helpful and you can even rent their guesthouse with views of the vineyard and Okanagan Lake.

Serendipity Winery is fairly new to the area. Its owner is a lawyer turned wine maker and infuses very personal stories within each tasting experience. Each time her daughter has poured my tastings and each time I learn something new – whether it be the clever illustrations on each bottle or something as personal as the fact that her mother caught her father red handed which inspired her new red wine “Caught Red Handed.” It’s priced to sell so that she can buy her husband out of the winery. You can believe I helped her out!

Black Widow Winery is a very small quality wine producer that sells out every year. Blink and you might miss this place but make sure you don’t! Their Oasis wine is an absolute favourite of mine and you can only buy it at very few select stores or online if not at the tasting room. If you want to stay close to all the wine action then you can rent out their B&B on site, again with a great view.

 

Further South Along US/Canada Border

Nk’Mip Cellars, Osoyoos

 I like Nk’Mip for their bold reds and amazing views of Osoyoos Lake from their patio restaurant. It’s a First Nation’s owned winery, one of the few despite this valley’s history with the Nk’Mip people. Their Riesling Icewine scored a perfect 100 points at the John Schreiner Awards but I personally enjoy their Qwam Qwmt 2012 Pinot Noir, a specialty of this region.

Where to Dine

 North/Central – Lake Country/Kelowna/West Kelowna

 

Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar, Downtown Kelowna

 A favourite of the locals and has won Vancouver Magazine’s Best Okanagan restaurant five years in a row. You’ll find unique menu items such as elk roast, my favourite potted Foie Gras with Gewurztraminer ice wine jelly, and fabulous desserts to tempt you with. Reservations are highly recommended as it can book out up to one week or more in advance.

South – Penticton/Naramata

 Hillside Winery & Bistro, Naramata

I like to stick to the Naramata Bench when it comes to wine tasting and dinning – even while I am staying in the neighbouring city of Penticton. In fact, Naramata is more like a rural suburb of Penticton since they are situated so close together.

Instead of opting for a wine tasting at Hillside Winery, order a flight of their whites or reds and dine on their delicious menu from oysters on the half shell to charcuterie and a gourmet burgers, this should be your lunch AND dinner location while wine touring on the Naramata Bench.

 

Further South Along the Border – Oliver/Osoyoos

 

Terrafina Restaurant at Hester Creek Winery, Oliver

 This is the best Italian restaurant in the entire valley and they make authentic wood fire over pizzas. Terrafina is located in Oliver, another of those small charming towns in the Okanagan. The menu is purely Tuscan inspired featuring menu items such as spicy Manilla clams, a delicious antipasto platter, prosciutto wrapped trout, crispy duck Carbonara to name a few.

Places to Stay

 North/Central – Lake Country/Kelowna/West Kelowna

The Hotel Eldorado, Kelowna

This small boutique hotel has a lot of history. First built in 1926 by a European Countess from Austria further down the lake, it catered to wealthy European travelers seeking the comforts of home. Later, during the late 80s it was threatened of being torn down but saved by having it moved by boat to its current location only for the wooden structure to be burnt down by arson. The owner then reconstructed it with modern technologies and the rest is history. The “El” as the locals call it, is a popular spot for a drink and dinner on their sunny dock overlooking the Okanagan Lake. You can also rent a boat from the Eldorado Marina making it a place to see and be seen in the Summer months. An onsite restaurant, bar and liquor store make this hotel the perfect place to stay in Kelowna. Reservations are strongly recommended.

 

South – Penticton/Naramata

The Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa, Naramata

One of my all time favourite hotels in all of the valley, the Heritage Inn & Spa was built in 1908 and was originally a girls school. Naramata was once the cultural capital of the valley where one could take in an opera or a theatrical play. Nowadays the small town of Naramata is quiet and mostly occupied by wine enthusiasts who look to visit the 30+ wineries in the area. With only 12 boutique rooms, semi private patios for each room and a wine bar with character, I always make the pilgrimage out here each Summer and Fall. Reservations are strongly recommended.

 

Further South Along the Border – Oliver/Osoyoos

Spirit Ridge Resort, Osoyoos

If history isn’t your thing and you don’t find creaking floorboards charming then stay at the Spirit Ridge Resort. The Spirit Ridge resort is in partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band creating a cultural First Nations experience along with your wine touring. Osoyoos is also a perfect spot for golfing, star gazing and hiking as it is located in Canada’s only desert where most of the bold red wines are made. Ososyoos is located upon the Osoyoos Lake as opposed to the Okanagan Lake like the other recommended accommodations above.

3 Things to do this Summer (other than wine touring)

1. Check out the beach & go SUP

   My favourite afternoon pastime is to have a picnic at a local beach with cherries, apples or pears freshly picked from a nearby orchard and watch the boats go by. You can also rent Stand Up Paddleboards or on windy days watch the wind surfers fly through the air as they catch waves and wind. Head to the Eldorado Marina to rent a boat with friends.

   Another way to stay cool in the desert-like heat is to take a zip line at Zip Zone in Peachland, one of Canada’s highest zip lines over canyon of 300 feet.

       2. Feast of Fields – A roaming outdoor feast

This August 17^th, FarmFolk CityFolk presents their yearly Feast of Fields.        How it works: They choose one local farm as their venue. This year it is as the Okanagan Herb and Lavender Farm in Kelowna. Then you show up with a blanket, sun chair and plenty of water. You then wander from food tent to wine hut to whiskey shelter to dessert station and back again. All the local chefs, farmers, wine makers and spirit producers are represented with a unique menu item for you to snag – mostly fingers only!
P.S. if you are not coming to the Okanagan you can check out Vancouver and Victoria’s Feast of Fields this summer.

 

     3. Summer Concerts

Check for Summer concerts at Mission Hill Winery and Cedar Creek Winery. Tickets can be hard to come by so sign up for their newsletter or better yet their wine club! Wine club members can be located anywhere in Canada and get perks like first dibs on yearly events.

 

Visit more of Canada through these posts below written by fellow Canadians or by following #WhyVisitCanada on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Pin for Later

Exploring Canada Coast to Coast at Breathe Dream Go

10 Free Activities in Montreal this Summer at Eille La Cheap (In French)

3 Western Canadian Adventures at The Adventure Freelancer

Why Visit Western Canada at Wanderlust Megan

Why Visit Edmonton, Alberta This Summer at Take me to the World

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Harrison Hot Springs at My Life Unteathered

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