Nk’Mip means hello and good-bye in the Okanagan Syilx language befitting a winery that has you at hello! Steps away from Spirit Ridge, Nk’Mip Cellars focuses on pairing food and leisure with world-class wines. Nestled in the desert hills of the Southern Okanagan, this winery boasts bold and beautiful reds, as well as intricate white wines that are destined to lift your spirits and transport you to a world in tune with Mother Earth.
The first Indigenous owned and operated winery in North America, Nk’Mip is committed to respecting the lands it harvests and educating the people that visit.
One of the better-known wineries in the Valley, Burrowing Owl is a quintessential favorite of the locals. Their mantra is “It’s All About the Wine” and this commitment to excellence is evident in the way the winery balances business and sustainability through earth-friendly practices. Founder Jim Wyse respects the land and all of the life forms that call it home.
The proclamation on their website “to do no harm” underlies the creative viticultural and enological practices undertaken at Burrowing Owl - located in one of Canada’s most unique, and sensitive eco-systems.
The ride up to See Ya Later is along a switchback, which carries you to some of the highest vineyards in the Valley. Once you arrive, expect spectacular views of Skaha Lake and mountain vistas from the winery, restaurant, and welcoming patio.
The tasting room offers a fabulous selection of wines for tasting. All offerings are named after the Majors K9 friends, which you'll discover as the winery story is shared over the course of the tasting. This stop is pet-friendly, with water dishes and tethering posts thoughtfully placed under inviting shade trees.
One of our Valley favorites, this big boy has a lot to crow about! Open year-round, Red Rooster offers spectacular vistas of Okanagan Lake and the properties rolling vineyards. Personality best describes the artful vibe of the winery and complex characteristics of its award-winning wines which, according to the team at Red Rooster, “are best enjoyed in the company of good friends, with great food.”
Salvaged wood from the original Naramata Train Dock was repurposed to form the handcrafted arches that welcome visitors to the tasting room. Exquisite, and quirky artwork adorns the property, encouraging visitors to linger and partake in the full-sensory experience that begins with a statue of the naked guy, Frank the Baggage Handler, reminding you that laughing out loud is an art form too.
This quaint fruit winery offers thirteen off-dry table wines and eight late-harvest style dessert wines, made from 100% BC grown fruit. A complimentary tasting will have you humming Neil Diamond's "Sweet Cherry Wine" all day, but if you're not a cherry wine or Neil Diamond fan don't worry – there are twelve other varietals and a huge selection of preserves, jams, and syrups to indulge in.
If you're stopping for ice cream remember, one scoop equals two and a half scoops of creamy delight and if you're including a home-made waffle cone with your order plan on skipping your next scheduled meal.
This organic winery is definitely a small batch producer with a huge following. The tasting room and winemaking facility are housed within the same building, which provides a glimpse into the heart and soul of preparing a really good wine.
There's nothing pretentious about this unassuming winery whose roots run deep into the fertile volcanic terroir of Mt. Boucherie. They excel at creating light, crisp wines that are sustainably harvested from about twenty acres of prime, grape-growing land.
Offering a small but thoughtful portfolio of wines, they boast an enviable offering of ice and late harvest examples that simply must be experienced.
A Canadian gem, Summerhill’s a biodynamic and organic winery nestled in the bosom of the Monashee Mountains alongside Lake Okanagan. An environmental pioneer, and purveyor of goodness, proprietor Stephen Cipes is a champion of sustainable practices that rejuvenate the land and all those who benefit from its bounty.
Their award-winning wines have garnered international attention, earning them multiple awards of distinction including the honour of being the first winery in Canada to be accredited a Certified B Corporation® meaning they put people, place, and planet above profit.
The on-site pyramid serves as a cellar, where the maturation of the wine occurs naturally. The property hosts Canada's only First Contact Exhibit, where a quick jog down adjoining trails leads to Makwahla memorial kekuli, an authentic reproduction tribute to the winter home of the First Nations Okanagan Syilx people.
Gray Monk came onto the wine scene back in 1972 and has been a local favourite ever since. Best known for its crisp whites, their red wines are light, lovely, and affordably priced.
The lush vineyards are nestled in the windswept hills high above Okanagan Lake offering a welcome breeze on a hot Okanagan afternoon. From the 180-degree lake view to its wide selection of award-winning wines, fabulous farm-fresh dining, and well-appointed gift shop - Gray Monk does not disappoint.
There are few things more amazing than observing bees making their honey and doing their Bee Dance. How about watching them buzz around while sampling hand-crafted honey wine? Take a drive down Vernon’s beautiful Bella Vista Road, and you’ll find Planet Bee Honey Farm, next to the popular Davison Orchards tourist attraction.
With a store full of quality honeybee products, daily educational tours, and a complimentary Honeymoon Mead tasting bar, this sip stop is making a buzz throughout the Valley.
Boutique producers of small-batch wines, Edge of the Earth Craft Winery has a dedicated local following that enjoys their pricing, and tasty artisanal wines. A hands-on family operation, Sophie – the vineyard dog, keeps visitors entertained while they enjoy a tasting or picnic on the patio.
After you finish your tasting take time to tour the properties of abundant gardens and check out their bead. It's definitely one of our favourites on the BeadTrails.
Enderby and Grindrod are home to some of the Okanagan's best-kept secrets – one of the finest being Waterside Vineyard and Winery. This quaint family-run winery abuts the lazy Shuswap River on rich agricultural land. It feels like a working vineyard, a gathering spot for locals with stories to share, and it has a story to tell of an adventure unfolding across generations, and families.
Pull up a picnic table and pour yourself a glass a wine because there are memories to be made at Waterside.
A hidden gem in the Thompson Valley wine region, Privato is a family-owned boutique winery dedicated to the production of premium Burgundian styled wines. Their award-winning Pinot Noir is as heavenly as the vineyards 80-acre vineyard property planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Nestled along the scenic slopes of the big old North Thompson River, Privato is an unexpected treat in a growing wine region.