Taste the Difference of the Okanagan Valley
The Okanagan Valley is home to diverse natural landscapes that include mountains, valleys, and even a desert. The main city, Kelowna, is located on the shore of the large Okanagan Lake and surrounded by provincial parks and vast pine forests. Besides its natural beauty, it is perhaps best known for its wineries and fruit orchards.
Located approximately 400 kilometers east of Vancouver, wine production in the Okanagan dates to the 1850s. Today it is home to 120 wineries and over 200 vineyards. The approximately 8,619 acres (3,488 hectares) of planted vineyards in the region account for over 80% of all wine produced in British Columbia. When weighing the economic importance of wine production, the Okanagan Valley is ranked second in Canada, only behind the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario. In the Okanagan, there are more than 60 grape varieties grown, including Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Auxerrois blanc. Visitors will find that almost every style of wine is produced here. Take your pick of still, sparkling, fortified, and dessert wines.
When visiting the area, taking part in one or more Okanagan Valley wine tours is a must. Though there are many wine tours to choose from, continue reading to read about some of our favorites around the region.
Explore a Diverse Group of Wineries from Kelowna
Wicked Wine Tours
Wicked Wine Tours aims to deliver innovative wine, craft beer, and food tours from Kelowna and throughout the Okanagan Valley. Whether you want to participate in a half-day tour of the greater Kelowna region or a full-day tour to the Naramata Bench in Penticton, where you’ll witness sweeping sand cliffs that rise from Okanagan Lake, there’s an experience for everyone. Depending on the tour chosen, visitors can see boutique wineries in East Kelowna or some of the oldest and most well-established Okanagan Valley wineries. No matter which wine tour you choose, you’ll learn about the wine-making process and of course, get to enjoy plenty of tastings. Best of all, Wicked Wine Tours specializes in small groups for the most personal wine tasting experience.
Uncorked Okanagan Wine Day Tours
Uncorked Okanagan Wine Tours has been in business for over ten years, conducting approximately 3,500 tours annually. They are well-versed when it comes to the many Okanagan vineyards. They offer eight wine tours throughout the beautiful Central and South Okanagan Valley, visiting more than fifty award-winning wineries across their various available experiences. Book a tour and hop into one of their spacious vans with large windows for the ultimate viewing experience. Their knowledgeable guides will provide top-notch entertainment with stories of Okanagan history, fine wines, and legendary sea monsters. Yes, you heard correctly!
Are you getting married? Uncorked Okanagan Wine Tours is a favorite for Bachelorette parties.
Located in the North Okanagan? Start a Wine Tour Near Vernon
Sip Happens Wine Tours
Touring for seven years and counting, Sip Happens Wine Tours looks to blend luxury with a good time in an unpretentious setting. Their tour guides live and work locally for the most authentic experience. From marquee wineries to boutique gems, they offer up full-day or half-day tours leaving near Vernon, B.C., and headed to Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Naramata Beach, and more. Have an idea? Don’t be shy to speak up. If you want to customize a tour, let the team know, and they would be more than happy to ensure you get to see (and taste) everything you came out for.
Head out onto Okanagan Lake with one of their Boat & Wine tours that come with your very own captain. Kick back and enjoy the added twist of being out on the water before docking to try wines from several vineyards.
Try a Unique Wine Tasting Experience from Penticton
Epic Cycling Wine Adventures
Ditch four wheels for two! Epic Cycling Wine Adventures offers up guided hikes, rides, and snowshoe tours for those looking to explore many of Penticton’s gorgeous wineries. From Penticton cycle out to Summerland, Oliver, and Osoyoos, exploring wineries all along the way. Not only do they offer up a unique Okanagan wine tour experience, but they are also able to customize trips to your liking, whether it be a half-day, full-day, or even multi-day trip.
The Epic Silver Ride is one of the most accessible wine tours available here. Lasting up to five hours and covering 30 – 50 kilometers total, it allows one to see the best that Penticton has to offer by bike and foot. Along your ride, stop to taste wine and eat delicious foods of the Okanagan Valley.
Open Air Adventures & Wine Tours
Take your wine tasting experience off-road. With Open Air Adventures & Wine Tours, guests will depart Penticton to explore the beautiful landscape of the South Okanagan, all while stopping to sip on some of the best wines that its sub-regions have to offer. What makes this tour company different? Don’t expect to be boarding a van or bus for your wine tour. Get ready to navigate vineyards and country backroads in a “top-off” Jeep Wrangler.
Although the transportation alone will provide for quite the experience, let’s not forget that phenomenal Okanagan wine. All of the wine tours offer up a great selection including, sparkling wines and crisp Rieslings to complex Pinot Noirs and rich Syrahs.