In the modern era of winemaking, there are many vineyards being established across the globe, bringing a wealth of taste and flavour to viticulture. And while you might not immediately associate Canada with global wine production, the city of Kelowna within the Okanagan Valley is home to more than 120 wineries which serve some truly fantastic vintages.
You can also spend the day enjoying wine tours of these beautiful vineyards, with many located in close proximity – more than 40 within a 20-minute drive. Alternatively, you can hire tour companies so you don’t have to organise a designated driver. There are really lots to choose from, but here’s a quick look at some of the best wineries Kelowna has to offer.
1. Tantalus Vineyards
Found on the eastern slopes of the lush Okanagan Valley, overlooking the shores of Lake Okanagan and Kelowna, is Tantalus Vineyards. Following the mantra, ‘Old vines. Authentic wines’, Tantalus firmly believes in creating exceptional wines from a single vineyard of top pedigree. Originally called Pioneer Vineyards, the first grapes were planted in 1927, making this one of the oldest continuously-producing vineyards in British Columbia. In 2004, the proprietor, Eric Savics, bought one of Okanagan Valley’s premier vineyard properties, and started focusing on small, terroir-driven lines of wines made from Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
2. CedarCreek Estate Winery
This certified organic winery believes in sustainable farming practices which is why there is no use of weed sprays or insecticides which could harm the delicate ecosystem. The organic technique also allows the roots to delve deeper into the soil, resulting in high-quality vintages. The winery was first established by senator Ross Fitzpatrick who worked alongside his father during the 40s and 50s at MacLean & Fitzpatrick, a fruit packing and shipping company. He returned in 1986 to buy his first vineyard where he started planting vinifera grape varieties that created premium quality wine. CedarCreek has twice won Canada’s ‘Winery of the Year’ award and, in February 2014, the Fitzpatricks transferred ownership to the Von Mandl family. With this, two of the region’s pioneering winemaking families came together over a shared vision for the future of the Okanagan Valley.
3. Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
One of the oldest wineries in Kelowna, Sumac Ridge is home to three separate wine brands; Sumac Ridge Private Reserve, Steller's Jay Wines, and Black Sage Vineyard. The winery was founded by Harry McWatters in 1979 in Summerland of the Okanagan Valley, using the sparkling water, bright sun and fertile land to grow the best grapes. The estate’s wine maker, Jason James, joined the cellar team at Thomas & Vaughan Estate Winery in the Niagara wine region before being drawn to a winery in British Columbia in 2005. Since then, the brands have grown from strength to strength.
4. The View Winery & Wards Cider
The land upon which the winery is situated is fifth generation and, where it once grew only fresh market apples, it transitioned to a vineyard in the mid-1990s. Spartans and McIntosh gave way to Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Ehrenfelser and Pinotage vines as well as cider apple varieties such as Belle de Boskoop, Chisel Jersey and Bulmers Norman. The View now produces more than 10 000 cases of wine each year with a diverse portfolio of award-winning wines includes Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Ehrenfelser, and signature reds; Pinotage and Pinot Noir. And, with age-old family recipes and expertise, the team also produces Wards Ciders, honouring the area’s history.
5. Sandhill Wines
Located in downtown Kelowna, Sandhill is a great addition to any wine tour, with tastings available in their Urban Tasting room which includes their exclusive ranges from the Small Lots Program, not often offered outside the winery. With wines made from some of the best vineyards in Kelowna - Sandhill Estate, King Family, Phantom Creek, Osprey Ridge, Hidden Terrace and Vanessa Vineyard – each with a unique combination of soil composition, slope, sun exposure and drainage. You can enjoy a wine tasting, a blind tasting experience as well as a ‘beyond the glass experience’ which gives you insight into the wine-making process.
For some of the best Canadian wines – reds, whites and everything in between – it’s worth taking a tour of the Kelowna vineyards where you can enjoy the full-bodied flavour of this fertile region.
