Is a private wine tour better than a group tour in the Okanagan?
Whether a private wine tour is better than a group tour depends on what you want from your day. A public wine tour is a great choice if you want a relaxed, social experience with a set itinerary and the convenience of sharing the vehicle with other guests. A private wine tour is the better choice if you want more control over the wineries you visit, the pace of the day and who you travel with.
With a private Kelowna wine tour, the itinerary can be built around your group’s interests. You can choose wineries that suit your tastes, spend more time at places you particularly enjoy and create a day that feels less like following a fixed schedule and more like having your own wine-country experience.
What is the difference between a private and public wine tour?
Our public wine tours follow a planned route and may include guests from different accommodations. This keeps the experience simple and provides an affordable way to explore Kelowna and West Kelowna wine country without having to organize the transportation yourself.
A private wine tour is exclusively for your group. You have more flexibility with the itinerary, wineries and pace, and you don’t have to share the vehicle or spend the day following the preferences of other guests.
- Public tour: planned itinerary, shared vehicle and a social group experience.
- Private tour: your own group, greater itinerary flexibility and a more personalized experience.
- Public tour: a good choice if you want a straightforward wine-tour experience without planning the itinerary yourself.
- Private tour: a good choice if your group has particular wineries, wine styles, timing or sightseeing interests in mind.
Why choose a private wine tour?
The biggest advantage is flexibility. Instead of trying to fit your group into someone else’s itinerary, the day can be designed around what your group actually wants to experience.
A private tour can be particularly appealing for couples, families, friends celebrating a special occasion or small groups who want a quieter and more personal day in wine country. It can also be a good option if someone in your group has mobility considerations and you would benefit from choosing a vehicle and itinerary that work better for your group.
For smaller private groups, our Mercedes-Benz Metris can be an especially good choice for guests who have difficulty with a higher step into a vehicle. The Metris has a much lower step-in height and doors on both sides, making getting in and out easier for many people with mobility concerns. If that is important to your group, a private tour gives you the opportunity to discuss the vehicle and itinerary before booking.
You can learn more about the vehicles we use in What Type of Vehicles Are Used?.
Can we go at our own pace on a private tour?
That’s one of the main reasons people choose a private tour. While the day still needs to work within winery reservation times and the overall itinerary, a private tour gives your group considerably more control over the pace.
If you want to spend extra time at a winery you really enjoy, visit a particular type of winery or build in time for lunch or sightseeing, a private tour gives you much more flexibility than a standard public tour.
You can start designing your day with our Private Wine Tour Planner.
What if we don’t know which wineries we want to visit?
You don’t need to know exactly where you want to go before booking. We can help you choose wineries based on your group’s interests, the type of wine you enjoy, the atmosphere you’re looking for and how you want your day to feel.
Our guide to the best wineries for a private small-group tour in Kelowna or West Kelowna is a good place to start.
Is a public wine tour still a good option?
Absolutely. A private tour isn’t automatically better for everyone.
If you are happy with a planned itinerary, enjoy meeting other wine travellers and want the convenience of having the route organized for you, our public wine tours can be an excellent choice. You still get professional transportation, a knowledgeable guide and a relaxed way to visit multiple wineries without worrying about driving.
The right choice really comes down to how much flexibility you want and whether you want the day to be exclusively about your group.
If you’re still deciding, see What Should I Look for When Comparing Kelowna Wine Tours?.
Ready to create a wine tour around your group?