Great Kelowna Wine-Tour Weekend
If you’ve visited Kelowna but never gone wine tasting, you’re missing out! The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia is renowned for producing some of the best BC wines—and some of the finest Canadian wines overall. Last Labor Day weekend, we took a road trip with friends for a mix of riding and wine sipping. We based ourselves in Kelowna and explored vineyards and wineries across the region. If you’re looking for top Kelowna wineries to visit, check out our recommendations below.
Vintage from British Columbia
You might be surprised to learn British Columbia has a thriving wine industry. Despite Canada’s reputation for cold weather, the interior of BC—especially the Okanagan Valley—is temperate and dry, making it ideal for growing grapes. The result? Hundreds of vineyards and a growing reputation for exceptional wines. While wine is produced across the province, the Okanagan Valley produces the best BC wine.
Okanagan Valley
The Okanagan Valley accounts for 84% of BC’s grape-growing land. It’s one of Canada’s top wine regions and BC’s premier grape-growing area. Stretching nearly 250 km long, each sub-region has unique soil and climate conditions, allowing different grape varieties to thrive. Wineries range from small family operations to world-class estates, and Okanagan wines regularly win international awards.
How to Tour the Finest Vineyards
Deciding how to tour Kelowna’s wineries can feel overwhelming. Most people don’t want to be the designated driver! Options include self-guided visits (great for 1–2 stops) or guided tours. A guided Kelowna wine tour eliminates driving stress, lets you visit more wineries safely, and includes expert commentary on the wines and region.
The Wine of Kelowna
Kelowna is the cradle of winemaking in British Columbia. With over 40 wineries within a 20-minute drive, the area regularly earns national and international accolades. Kelowna’s wineries are grouped into five main wine trails: Kelowna’s Fab Five, Lake Country’s Scenic Sip, Westside Wine Trail, Lakeshore Wine Route, and Downtown Grapes & Grains (which includes beer and spirits too).
What Is Included?
Tour inclusions vary by operator. Most guided tours include transportation for the day and tasting fees. Lunch (if a stop is made) and guide gratuities are usually extra.
Wineries in Kelowna Can Be Accessed by Automobile
Plan to drive to a few of the Kelowna Fab Five wineries, plus others nearby. While it’s impossible to say definitively which are the “best” Kelowna wineries without trying them all (personal taste matters!), we recommend starting with these standouts. Check maps, opening hours, and reservation requirements in advance—especially post-COVID, many wineries now require bookings.
If driving yourself, designate a driver and limit tastings to one area on the Kelowna wine map. Pick up bottles to enjoy later at your accommodation so the driver can join the fun too!
In British Columbia, What Is the Alcohol Limit?
British Columbia has Canada’s strictest impaired driving laws, with severe penalties for a BAC of 0.05% or higher (not 0.08% like some provinces). Factors like gender, age, and food intake affect BAC. If driving, don’t drink at all. On a wine tour, one small glass per hour is roughly the limit—lower for women.
You Can Tour on Foot
In Kelowna, you can walk between some wineries in compact areas like downtown (Sandhill Estate Winery, Tree Brewing, Calona Vineyards, Urban Distillery & Winery) or a small cluster in West Kelowna (Beaumont Family, Little Straw, Mt. Boucherie, Volcanic Hills). Take a short cab ride out and back to your hotel.
Do Wine Tastings in Kelowna Have to Be Paid For?
Yes, most tasting rooms charge a fee—typically $5–$20 per person, with $15 being the most common in Kelowna. The fee is often applied toward a bottle purchase if you buy one.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Taking a Guided Tour
Benefits: Everyone drinks safely, you visit more wineries without rushing, and you get expert commentary on wines and the region.
Drawbacks: Higher cost than self-driving, and you’re in a group (less flexibility for personal questions). Self-guided lets you apply tasting fees toward purchases.
When Do the Wineries in Kelowna Close?
Many Kelowna wineries close early—often 5:30 or 6:00 p.m., with a few open later. Guided tours end early enough to avoid this issue. If hiking or cycling, plan afternoon winery visits.
When Is the Ideal Time to Explore?
Late spring to early October offers the best weather. Mid-September to October is harvest season—perfect for fresh grapes and lively energy. Late fall/early winter brings spiced ciders and mead at places like Ward’s Cidery and Meadow Vista Honey Wines. Just note Kelowna gets cold, and snow is possible!
My Top Tasting Tips
- Taste from dry to sweet—start dry and progress to sweeter wines.
- Save dessert wines for last—they’re the sweetest.
- Bring ID—legal drinking age in Canada is 19, and checks are common.
- Ask questions—no question is too basic; staff love helping.
- Try everything—even if it’s not your usual style, you might be surprised.
How to Get to Kelowna
From Vancouver
By Car
Take Highway 1 east to Hope, then Highway 5 north to Highway 97C into Kelowna. Total drive: ~4.5–5 hours.
By Plane
Direct flights to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) take about 1 hour. Flair Airlines often has the best deals—check their site or mailing list.
From Calgary
By Car
Drive through Banff and the Rockies—6–7 hours of stunning scenery.
By Plane
WestJet and Flair Air offer direct flights (~1 hour). Check Skyscanner for deals (note: Flair may not show there).
Do You Want to Book a Flight or Rent a Car?
Compare flights on Skyscanner. For car rentals, RentalCars.com aggregates the best rates.
Also see: Kelowna’s Fab Five Wine Trail
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