Wineries in Lake Country offer some of the most iconic wine tasting experiences in the Okanagan. Perched above Lake Okanagan, the Scenic Sip Trail can be found just north of the Kelowna International Airport.
Although this piece covers the Best Wineries in Lake Country, it is part of our larger Best Ever Guide to Kelowna Wineries. There, you will find more information about the overall Kelowna region, wine tasting etiquette, wine tour companies, and more.
Best Ever Guide to
Wineries in Lake Country
50th Parallel Estate Winery
50th Parallel Estate Winery (Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Shawn Talbot Photography)
Okay, time to get technical for a moment. The 50th parallel is the latitudinal line that cuts through Lake Country – or, in layman’s terms, the reason this winery is blessed by some of the longest sunlight exposures around. Combine this with rare red granite soil and you’ve got the recipe for vintages with terroirs that are hard to come by, even by Okanagan standards.
Pinot Noir is the specialty here, with sultry silken textures suited for royalty. Viticulture isn’t the only thing 50th Parallel excel at though, with sharp modernist architecture that speaks to the precision of their operation, containing a restaurant that’s a work of engineering excellence all on its own. Ask one of the staff what a cantilever is and prepare to marvel.
Tasting Fees:
- Regular tastings are complimentary when you purchase any bottle.
- Grape to Glass philosophical vineyard tour complete with premium tasting – $45 per guest.
- The Mini Grape to Glass whistle-stop tour and essential tasting – $25 per guest.
Amenities:
- BLOCK ONE restaurant serving up farm-to-table delights carefully paired with vineyard wines and architectural wonders.
- Several bookable venues for private intimate dinners, canapé receptions, fully catered dining experiences, corporate retreats, and full-blown wedding receptions.
Dog Friendly:
Yes, your dog can go anywhere at 50th Parallel as long as they remain on-leash.
Visit this Winery in Lake Country:
Address: 17101 Terrace View Road Lake Country, BC
O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars vineyard is a sprawling grape wonderland that can’t help but ignite the imagination. Underneath their 300-acre property at Carrs Landing there is a 300-metre maze of winding tunnels and a gob-smacking 12,000 square feet of caverns stocked with wine barrels patiently waiting their turn to age to perfection.
Eventually, the results of this tantalizing subterranean storage facility end up in O’Rourke’s wisdom-packed tasting room or get paired with farm-fresh veggies from the on-site greenhouses in the stunning setting of the Garden Bistro.
Tasting Fees:
- Seated Tasting of four rotating vintages – $5-10 per guest, depending on add-ons.
- Wine & Cheese Experience educational talk with four portfolio wines and three cheese pairings – $25 per guest.
- Peak Portfolio Experience sample a five varietal flight of the best vintages O’Rourke’s have to offer, complete with detailed information and a lavish charcuterie board – $35 per guest, with a $10 refund when you purchase two or more bottles.
Amenities:
- Exclusive dining opportunities, themed dinners, and tasting events.
- Extremely scenic Garden Bistro restaurant with organic herbs and veggies grown on-site.
- Wedding packages for small ceremonies of 50 guests or less.
- Guest lodging in a 5-bedroom log cabin nestled amongst the vines.
Dog Friendly:
No.
Visit this Winery in Lake Country
Address: 2290 Goldie Road, Lake Country BC
Picnic enthusiasts will want to stop by the cool contemporary Arrowleaf Cellars to pick up a bottle of aromatic Riesling to enjoy with their sarnies on the scenic grape-clad slopes. If Riesling’s not your thing, that’s fine, because all Arrowleaf’s vintages are crafted with a passion for local grapes that pair perfectly with Lake Country’s stunning scenery.
Forgot your picnic basket? Again, don’t worry, Arrowleaf has got you covered with their in-house range of charcuteries and cream puffs. There really is no better way to spend a sunny afternoon than their picnic patio.
Tasting Fees:
$5 per guest, which is waived with a single bottle purchase.
Amenities:
- Picnic-friendly seasonal store selling decadent deserts and carefully crafted charcuteries.
- Various events, including holiday markets, special food pairing exhibitions, and charity fundraisers.
Dog Friendly:
Yes, your dogs can enjoy all outdoor areas on-leash.
Visit this Winery in Lake Country:
Address: 1574 Camp Road, Lake Country BC
Blind Tiger Vineyards
Blind Tiger Vineyards (Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Blind Tiger Vineyards & Liza Heider)
The history buffs amongst you will already get the name, but for those at the back, it refers to prohibition-era America where tickets to see a ‘blind tiger’ were sold as an excuse to sneak patrons into speakeasies for illegal boozing. All we can say is, with Blind Tiger’s stand-out selection of lovingly-aged bottles and unique featured wines, thank God prohibition ended a long time ago!
A little more about the vineyard itself: you’ll only find sustainable organic practices in use across this beautiful grape-scape, where natural composting protects the sacred Okanagan soils and chickens perform important pest clean-up duties. Inspiration is only ever seven days away here too, with tasting rotations that change weekly and live music events every Friday!
Tasting Fees:
Find out when you book a spot.
Amenities:
- Woodfired pizza patio overlooking the vines and Wood Lake.
Local live music performed every Friday.
Dog Friendly:
Yes!
Visit this Winery in Lake Country:
Address: 11014 Bond Road, Lake Country BC
The team at Ex Nihilo have been hard at work harnessing the power of Okanagan terroirs since 2003. Their name, which is Latin for ‘Out of Nothing,’ seems like an unfair label considering they’ve managed to produce one of the most passionate Syrah blends we’ve tasted in their XXX line.
After your tasting, make sure to pay a visit to the CHAOS Bistro, where the focus is on clean and crisp flavours found in local-only produce and expertly paired with vintages from the rolling vineyards outside the window.
Tasting Fees:
- The Signature Tasting of five socially-distanced Ex Nihilo favourites – $10 per guest.
- Memor Vivo Tasting Experience sit-down tasting of the racy and limited XXX portfolio – $25 per guest.
Amenities:
- Delectable dining at the CHAOS Bistro.
- Small-scale art gallery across the premises.
- Hosting space for private dinners, special events, and weddings for up to 80 guests.
Dog Friendly:
No encouraged.
Visit this Winery in Lake Country:
Address: 1525 Camp Road, Lake Country BC
Gray Monk Winery
The Gray Monk was one of the first five wineries pioneering Kelowna’s transition from orchard heartland to international wine sensation, so a tasting session here is a taste of history, as well as of deliciously honed vintages. Founders Trudy and George were amongst the first group petitioning for legal permission to sell single-vineyard wines crafted from their own grapes, forever changing the face of Kelowna.
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect point of inspiration than their tasting area, looking out over vineyards bordered by flower-wreathed hedgerows. In fact, the whole of the 75-acre grounds are a painter’s paradise, with views across Okanagan Lake that will take your breath away.
Tasting Fees:
$7 per guest.
Amenities:
- The Lookout Restaurant, where you can enjoy seasonal farmstead delights and one of the best views in the Okanagan.
Dog Friendly:
No.
Visit this Winery in Lake Country:
Address: 1055 Camp Road, Lake Country BC
A winemaker, a business advisor, an internet entrepreneur, and an account all came together to arouse your curiosity. No, that’s not the start of a lame joke, it’s the story behind Intrique Wines, where a winery has been built from the ground up to stimulate and satisfy inquisitiveness.
Expect unique tastes, curious aromas, and one-of-a-kind combinations at your tasting session. You’ll struggle to choose just one bottle to take with you out to their scenic picnic area to be enjoyed with one of their signature charcuterie platters.
Tasting Fees:
$3 per guest, waived with the purchase of a single bottle.
Amenities:
- Scenic Social Bites picnic area serving up tasty snacks and house vintages to whoever seats themselves first.
Dog Friendly:
Yes!
Visit this Winery in Lake Country
Address: 2291 Goldie Road, Lake Country BC
Enhance Your Lake Country Wineries Adventure
Image Courtesy of Sparkling Hill
While exploring the best wineries in Lake Country, elevate your experience with a stay at Sparkling Hill Resort. Perched above the Okanagan Valley, Sparkling Hill offers breathtaking views, world-class spa treatments, and an unparalleled sense of serenity. It’s the perfect retreat after a day of wine tasting, allowing you to relax and indulge in the beauty of the region.
Conclusion: Lake Country Wineries
We hope you enjoyed your Lake Country Wineries Guide. Make sure to check out our other Okanagan Wineries Guides while you are exploring the beautiful wines of the Okanagan!
OKANAGAN WINERY GUIDES
