Experience Urban Vibes and Lake Views in Downtown and South Kelowna
Through Downtown Kelowna and the Lakeshore Route, you'll find a wine community that perfectly combines urban appeal with lakeside views.
The perfect start or end point for this wine tour is Downtown Kelowna, where Calona Vineyards was established. Calona opened in the early 1930s and was the first commercial winery in the area. In 2005 it and sister winery, Sandhill Wines, were acquired by Andrew Peller Ltd., and you can visit Sandhill's tasting room in the building adjacent to where Calona started. Sandhill offers urban vibes with a selection of single vineyard and small lot wines that show the true expression of the terroir. When in the area, don’t miss their happy hour at 3pm daily for $8 glasses of wine and small bites or Pour & Play Game nights every second Thursday now to mid-December.
Travel south of downtown and a short drive will take you to Tantalus Vineyards. This LEED-certified winery has been producing single-vineyard wines like Riesling and Chardonnay since 2004, though the site has been producing grapes since 1927, making it one of the oldest vineyards in British Columbia. Seated tastings are led by knowledgeable staff that share the story of the wines that are made with intention and authenticity, all guided by good land stewardship. For the most in depth experience, book the Bees & Barrels Tour which takes participants on a guided walk through the vineyards, to the barrel room, to end with a tasting of their flagship wines.
Nearby, you’ll find Summerhill Pyramid Winery, owned by the Cipes family since the mid-80s. The vineyard became fully organic in 1988 and the winery is a Certified B Corp, which reflects their positive social and environmental impacts. The onsite Pyramid, a replica of the Great Pyramid in Egypt, is used for aging all of Summerhill’s wines, and is believed to enhance the quality and taste of every vintage. While planning your visit, make sure to book a meal at Nature’s Table for a delicious meal overlooking the vineyard and Okanagan Lake.
While planning your tour, consider booking with a Wine Tour Operator. Let the experts handle all the planning and ensure you’ve got a safe ride while swirling and sipping the best the Okanagan has to offer.
And don’t miss out on fun Kelowna and wine-inspired prizes. Sign up for the #exploreKelowna Wineries Pass to collect points while you’re wine touring, your points can then be redeemed for prizes at the Kelowna Visitor Centre.
