Have you not heard of Lake Country in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada? You may thank me for bringing this region to your wine-traveling attention. This article is about what to expect when you visit today, and how future the wine travel scene may shape up here.
History and Geology
Lake Country is on the traditional lands of the Sylix (Okanagan) peoples, and when you catch your first glimpse of the lake you can easily imagine how fishing, hunting and growing sustained them. This area was later explored and developed by Austrian and Swiss pioneers going back to the mid-19th century. Ranching, farming and apple and pear orchards were the inspiration. The Okanagan Centre was established as a port on the lake moving fruit and other goods. Today, orchards and wine grapes are the primary agricultural industry, and wine production and tourism appear to be the future of the area.
85% of British Columbia vineyard acreage and a majority of the wineries (222 licensed) lie within the Okanagan Valley G.I. (Geographic Indication). There’s a total of six G.I.s in Okanagan Valley. As of 2022, Lake Country is the newest and most northern sub-G.I. in Okanagan Valley, with only 7-8 wineries and some exciting growth planned. This is discovery country, less visited than the south end of Okanagan Lake where most of the wineries reside. Winetraveler alert – get there now to enjoy bragging rights, easy access for play and stay on Okanagan Lake – here’s what you need to know.
Getting There
Lake Country is located between Kelowna to the south and Vernon to the North. The wineries are fairly spread out throughout the region, so having a car is essential, although touring companies do exist. These are some recommended touring companies on TripAdvisor. You can also do your own search online, or ask the concierge at your hotel for recommendations. Check rental car prices here on Kayak.
RECOMMENDED: Book This Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Lake Country Including Tasting Fees and Gratuity
Canada Air and WestJet have direct flights from the West Coast that are available to Kelowna International (YLW) from Vancouver, BC (YVR) and Seattle, WA (SEA). East Coast flyers can connect through Toronto (YYZ) or Calgary (YYC). Check flight deals into the region here on Kayak.
Many visitors drive from Alberta (a 7-hour drive from Calgary to Kelowna) and Vancouver (a 4-hour drive).
Suggested Wineries to Visit in Okanagan Lake Country
I was able to visit seven wineries on an itinerary arranged by Wines of British Columbia. This site is an excellent planning resource and everything I did, so can you. I downloaded the mobile app from the site’s home page. It includes a map, winery descriptions and tasting room details, and I returned to it several times during the course of my visit.
O’Rourke Family Estate Winery
O’Rourke Family Estate Winery is 300 lake-view acres purchased by the O’Rourke family in 2008. They have ambitious plans and a mega project in the works and are literally moving (granite) mountains to realize Dennis O’Rourke’s concept. They will develop the property into a state-of-the-art hospitality center with lodging, tasting rooms, an event center, a live entertainment amphitheater, winery production facility with barrel caves embedded into granite walls, and the vision goes on. Keep an eye on the grand opening for this destination location, estimated to open in Spring 2026.
What’s on Offer – You should be able to tour the property and taste O’Rourke Family wines if you inquire at Peak Cellars, the original winery and tasting room adjacent to O’Rourke Family Estate.
Author’s Wine Pick – 2020 Chardonnay “Clone 96”
Peak Cellars
Peak Cellars was the O’Rourke family’s first venture and original vineyard property in Lake Country. It’s conveniently located, only 10 minutes from the airport, so arrive in the morning and make it your first visit. You must try their wines of course, and pizza lovers should book a lunch at the Garden Bistro, either on the patio or for dinner. Produce is sourced from a half-acre organic vegetable garden and greenhouses. This is a lovely property to visit for tastings and special events.
What’s on Offer – Open daily 12pm-6pm for several wine tasting experiences; Garden Bistro restaurant (12-7:30pm), Wednesday Date Night and Smoked Meat Sundays.
Author’s Wine Pick – 2021 Still Riesling
Gray Monk
Gray Monk Estate Winery was established in 1972 by the George and Trudy Heiss, an Austrian family. The 75 acres overlooking Okanagan Lake were originally fruit orchards. They were the first in Canada to plant Pinot Gris in 1976, having sourced 50 plants from a nursery in Alsace, France. The tasting room officially opened to the public in 1982, and generations later, you can enjoy their wines in the tasting room and paired with lunch at the Lookout Restaurant Friday through Sunday.
What’s on Offer – several tasting experiences including old-school wine shop walk-in (daily 12-5pm and 12-6pm weekends with reservations for weekend dining, Sunday brunch, and winery tours.
Author’s Wine Pick – 2020 Sparkling Brut
RELATED: Learn More About Winemaker Jen Oishi of Gray Monk Winery
Ex Nihilo Vineyards
Ex Nihilo Vineyards was acquired by Mike Azhadi, an engineer and designer along with his wife Janet Azhadi in 2018. Ex Nihilo, meaning “out of nothing” is their lifelong dream, and they’re not done yet. Mike, Janet, and the team are working on their next venture, another destination location called Azhadi Vineyards. It will have a 30,000 sq. footprint – hospitality and events center, lodging, art gallery, and winery and tasting room – on and largely built into granite. They plan to submit for LEED certification upon completion. Sustainable vineyards were planted in 2019 on 42 acres. Stay tuned for the opening sometime at the end of 2025. This will be another show-stopping architectural gem.
In the meantime, it’s hard to beat Ex Nihilo for hospitality, wine tasting and food pairing. The front-of-house wine ambassadors work closely with the back-of-the-house kitchen team and deliver something extraordinary – thoughtfully and scientifically considering matchmaking – food and wine, that is.
What’s on Offer – Ex Nihilo tasting room offers multiple tasting experiences – Signature, Elevated and a Club members-only Sensory tasting. CHAOS Bistro offers fine dining and wine and food pairings, and exceptional attention from the hospitality team.
Author’s Wine Pick – 2018 Ice Wine
50th Parallel Estate Winery
Cave Dining at Block One, Granite Tunnels lead to Dinner, Hosts Curtis & Sheri-Lee at 50th Parallel. Images courtesy Carl Giavanti.
50th Parallel Estate Winery was created by Curtis Krouzel and Sheri-Lee Turner in 2009 with a special focus on storytelling and hospitality. Brace yourselves for a special treat. You will be entertained. They believe people remember experiences rather than wines. You’ll understand their success when you visit. The winery itself is an architectural marvel surrounded by 55 acres of vineyards and lake views.
I suggest you arrange one of the property tours to get your arms around the unique architectural concept developed by Curtis. Yes, taste the wines along the way, but by all means, make reservations for the “Chef’s Tasting Experience”. At only $75 Canadian per person with wine, it is one of the best fine dining experiences I’ve had in recent memory.
What’s on Offer – multiple tasting experiences, vineyard and granite tours, tastings and food pairings and Block One, their full-service restaurant.
Author’s Wine Pick – 2023 Sparkling Brut
Intrigue Wines
Intrigue Wines is a “social” brand, designed by four partners interested in expanding their family and friends. It’s a kick off your shoes, taste some great wines while the storytelling begins. The owners actively seek out community with a no-reservations approach (you can also book tastings online if you prefer) and offer a large picnic area. Intrigue is all about lighthearted approachability, and thus their flagship wine label focused on blends named “Social”. If winemaker Roger Wong is around, ask for a bootstrap winery tour. You’ll get an excellent sense of how 80% of small family wineries produce wines.
What’s on Offer – Daily tastings from 10am – 5:30pm for an approachable $5. Pet-friendly picnic area opens daily May through October. BYO food or order charcuterie boards and other fresh items.
Author’s Wine Pick – 2022 “Social” White Blend
RELATED: Learn More About Roger Wong of Intrigue Wines
Arrowleaf Cellars
Arrowleaf Cellars is one of the early-stage pioneer wineries. It was founded by the Zuppingers, a Swiss farming family in 1986, to manage orchards and a dairy farm. Vineyards were planted in 1986 and the winery opened in 2001, with a new tasting room and view deck debuting in 2013.
All generations of the family work here, and as you might expect, your visit will be low-key and focused on the wines. I loved the old-world varieties that you can find here – Petit Arvine, Auxerrois, Bacchus and Zweigelt. After the tasting, we browsed the book, wine and merchandise store, and checked out the deli cheese shop. If the weather had permitted, I would have hunkered down on the view deck.
What’s on Offer – Stunning views of Lake Okanagan, picnic area, charcuterie, cheese and vegan boxes. You can walk in and taste at the bar, buy a bottle and sit lakeside on the patio, or schedule a private seated tasting on weekends. You’ll also find ongoing seasonal events and cream puffs on their website. No reservations are required through the end of the year before winter break. Inquire about the schedule online.
Author’s Wine Pick – 2023 Petite Arvine
Winetraveler Notes: April is BC Wine Month. I hope to return in 2025 for the festivities. There are also special events throughout the year including this October tasting event organized by Wines of BC.
Scenic Sip Wine Trail takes you beyond Okanagan Lake to Wood and Kalamalka Lakes and several wineries along the route.
Where to Stay
Four Points by Sheraton I arrived late into Kelowna International Airport and the Four Points was a convenient point of entry for a relaxing overnight. The rooms are modern and tasteful. There is an excellent bar with an expansive local wine list and their fine dining restaurant is open late.
Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa, after check-in, I immediately noticed Okanagan Lake sparkling in the distance. Touring the facility with Samantha Markham, you immediately notice crystal imagery in the lobby and diamond dangles decorating the interior. This led me to research the founding of Sparkling Hill Resort and sure enough it was Swarovski Crystal Family from Austria. Staying here felt like a special treat and privilege. The rooms, grounds and all amenities were top-shelf. You may find yourself not wanting to leave, and that would be understandable.
Dining in Style
PeakFine Restaurant at Sparkling Hill Resort offers gourmet breakfast (included with your room), lunch and dinner; You must also try traditional Austrian fare at Gerni’s Farmhouse, a 16th-century building brought over to Canada from Austria. The fare is exactly what you’d hope for, upscale Austrian beerhall and cuisine. If you’re spending at least two nights, I’d recommend trying both dining options, preferably after a late afternoon tea and soak at the spa.
Garden Bistro at Peak Cellars (described above in the Peak Cellars Winery section)
The Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk (described above in the Gray Monk Winery section)
CHAOS Bistro at Ex Nihilo Check the Events Calendar winter scheduling (described above)
Block One Restaurant at 50th Parallel Winery, open for Happy Hour Thursday through Monday 3-5pm, and dinner 12-8 pm. Sundays 3pm -8pm. (described above in the 50th Parallel Winery section)
Salty Caramel Kitchen on the Lake has sandwiches, pastries, coffees and is frequented by locals and anyone walking the lake trail across the street
What To Do
Okanagan Lake has always been an all-season draw to Lake Country. Summer swimming, trail hiking, and boating and fishing activities draw families and outdoor sporting enthusiasts.
Golfing became popular during the last 20-30 years, and resorts like Predator Ridge are very popular. Predator Ridge Golf Resort opened in 1991 and is continuously rated among the Top 25 golf courses in Canada. It has been a driver of tourism in Lake Country and the North Okanagan Valley.
Skiing during the winter at resorts like Big White and SilverStar Mountain is very popular.
Day Spa soaking and treatments at KurSpa at Sparkling Hill Resort is said to be the largest spa in BC. I tried the several steam and sauna rooms, cold showers and plunges, and relaxed in the tea room, a silent meditative space. The spa is open until 11pm with adult hour from 10 p.m. until close. There is also an outdoor pool and all the spa treatments you might imagine.
Downtown Kelowna has shops, art galleries and plenty of lakeside restaurants. In addition to wine tasting and can visit local farms and pick orchard fruits during the season. You can find more information on the Kelowna Tourism website.