What type of vehicles are used?
Red Dog Wine Tours uses two Mercedes-Benz passenger vans for our Kelowna wine tours: an 11-passenger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and a smaller Mercedes-Benz Metris designed for private groups. Both provide comfortable, air-conditioned transportation between your accommodation and the wineries, while the Metris offers some particular advantages for smaller groups and guests who find a high vehicle difficult to access.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — our public tour vehicle
Our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is an 11-passenger high-roof passenger van and is the primary vehicle used for our public Kelowna wine tours.
The high roof provides generous headroom and the passenger cabin gives guests plenty of room to travel comfortably during a full afternoon of wine tasting. The Sprinter is particularly well suited to public tours because it provides the passenger capacity needed when several groups are travelling together.
The Sprinter is also a great choice for larger private groups when the group size requires additional passenger capacity.
Mercedes-Benz Metris — ideal for smaller private groups
Our Mercedes-Benz Metris is configured for approximately 2–7 passengers and is primarily used for private wine tours. It is a particularly good option when a smaller group wants a private wine-tasting experience without travelling in a large Sprinter.
The Metris is a purpose-built passenger van with comfortable seating for full-sized adults. Because it is smaller than the Sprinter, it also creates a more intimate environment for a private group.
The Metris can be a better choice for guests with mobility issues
One of the biggest advantages of the Metris is its low step-in height. If you have difficulty climbing into a high vehicle, getting into the Metris can be considerably easier than getting into our high-roof Sprinter.
The Metris also has doors on both sides, which provides additional flexibility when getting in and out of the vehicle. Depending on where the vehicle is parked, being able to use either side can make boarding and exiting more convenient.
The Metris is not a wheelchair-accessible vehicle with a powered lift or ramp, so it isn’t suitable for every mobility situation. However, for guests who can walk but find a high step difficult, the lower entry of the Metris can make a significant difference.
If mobility, comfort or simply having more time to move at your own pace is important to your group, consider booking a private tour in the Metris. With a private tour, you aren’t sharing the vehicle with other guests, so the day can be planned around your group rather than a fixed public-tour schedule.
You can take your time getting into and out of the vehicle, enjoy each winery without feeling rushed and discuss the itinerary with us ahead of time. For some guests, that extra flexibility can make the difference between a wine tour that feels stressful and one that is genuinely relaxing.
If this sounds like a better fit for your group, use our Private Wine Tour Planner or contact us before booking to discuss your needs.
Which vehicle will we be in?
For our public wine tours, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is generally the vehicle used. The exact vehicle used on a particular tour can depend on the day’s bookings, group sizes and operational requirements.
For private tours, the Metris is an excellent option for smaller groups of 2–7 people. Larger private groups may require the Sprinter or, when available, a combination of our vehicles.
If you’re travelling with a larger group, KelownaGuide has a detailed guide to What Is the Best Wine Tour for a Group of 8 to 11 People in Kelowna?.
Why use a passenger van for a wine tour?
A wine tour involves several hours of transportation as you travel between your accommodation and the wineries. Our passenger vans allow everyone in your group to travel together while your professional guide handles the driving and navigation.
- No designated driver — Everyone in your group can enjoy the wine tasting while your guide handles the driving.
- Door-to-door transportation — We pick you up from your accommodation within our designated service area rather than requiring you to meet at a central location.
- Air conditioning — Particularly important during Kelowna’s warm summer months.
- Room for wine purchases — Your wine purchases can be securely stored in the vehicle while you continue touring.
- Travel together — Your group can enjoy the afternoon together rather than splitting up between multiple cars.
Public tour or private tour?
The best vehicle and tour option depends on your group.
- Public tour: Our Sprinter provides the capacity needed for a shared wine-touring experience. You’ll travel with other guests and follow our established afternoon route.
- Private tour: The Metris is an excellent option for smaller groups who want their own vehicle and more flexibility throughout the day.
- Guests with mobility concerns: A private Metris tour may be worth considering because of its lower step, doors on both sides and the ability to plan the day around your group’s pace.
- Larger private groups: The Sprinter provides the additional passenger capacity needed for larger groups.
How does the vehicle fit into the tour?
The vehicle is only one part of the experience. Our standard public tours are built around 4 wineries, with approximately an hour at each stop. The goal is to give you enough time to enjoy the tastings rather than spending the afternoon rushing from one winery to another.
See How Many Wineries Do We Visit? and How Long Does a Winery Tasting Take on a Kelowna Wine Tour? for more information about the pace of the tour.
You can also see What Are the Pick Up and Drop Off Times for the Tours? to see how pickup and drop-off fit into the afternoon.
For more information about our pickup area, see Where Do You Pick Up From?.
The simple version
Public tour? You’ll generally travel in our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Planning a private tour for 2–7 people? Consider our Mercedes-Benz Metris, especially if someone in your group finds high vehicle steps difficult or you simply want a more relaxed, private experience.
The Metris’s lower step and doors on both sides make getting in and out easier for many guests, while a private tour lets your group enjoy Kelowna wine country at a pace that works for you.
Want more flexibility or think the Metris would be a better fit for your group? Design a Private Wine Tour →