Day 1:  Bottleneck Drive

This is the most laid back of the three regions you will be visiting.  Some of the wineries have tasting fees, many do not.   Most of them are smaller, family run shops with beautiful views of the lake and more often than not, a patio you can have a picnic on.

While most of the best wines produced in this region are whites, you will find a few good reds, so don’t hesitate to give them a try.   The bigger wineries, like Sumac Ridge, also have land down in Oliver which they use to grow the more heat-demanding red grapes, so don’t miss that stop if you truly are a red wine drinker.

If you tire of wine, and want to try something different, there are a couple of ciderees you can visit as well.   And one maker of Fruit wines – Sleeping Giant Fruit wines

Most popular stops:

1. Dirty Laundry – The tasting is free, and there is a story behind the wines along with an interesting gift shop to wander through.  A very popular stop for visitors.
2. Thornhaven – Most people are on their way to Dirty Laundry and notice Thornhaven at the fork in the road, – so they make this their second stop.  This is a very friendly family-run winery where you will be sure to find something you like, at a very reasonable price.
3. Sumac Ridge – One of the bigger wineries in the region, Sumac Ridge has been around for a long time.  They own land in Oliver, therefore they have some very tasty Reds on the menu alongside some award-winning whites.

Once you get started, you will feel inspired to stop at many that you see.    Each has its own unique character and you will always find at least one wine that you like wherever you go.    Make sure you pick up a Passport and get a stamp at each winery you visit – when you collect 5 stamps you can mail it in to enter a draw.   Each region has its own Passport so you will need to pick up the Bottleneck Drive one at the first winery you visit.

Day 2:  The Naramata Bench

Naramata has lots of fun surprises in store for you.  The wine-makers here care deeply about their products, as shown by the large number of medal winners in the midst.  Many of the wineries here specialize in whites,  but you will also, once again, find some very good reds.  So don’t give up on trying.

There is one grape that seems to be getting a little more attention lately – Viognier.   It is my “new” favourite white.   If you are typically a red drinker, but are willing to give whites a whirl, you may really love this one.  Don’t turn down an opportunity to try it!

There are so many good choices here of which wineries to visit, on a different day I would give you a different list.  Today I will name but three.  But once you arrive at the ones on this list, you will see three more wineries nearby that you might as well stop in at “while you’re at it”.

These three are by no means the most popular or well-known wineries, which is why I picked them to highlight.   They are, instead,  some of the area’s best kept secrets….

1. Moraine – the white wines go down faster than candy.  Definitely worth the stop.
2. Van Westen – all of their wine is good, but if you are pre-disposed to reds this should be a stop.
3. Tightrope – Fun, friendly and great views from the “new” tasting room.

You might also want to try some fruit wines.    Back before grapes became so very popular, wine was made from just about anything.  Elephant Island brings you back in time by offering samples of a variety of fruit wines.

There are also a couple of distilleries you can stop at if you want something different.    Legend Distilling has a patio with food and cocktails served after most of the wine tasting shuts down for the day.   Maple Leaf Spirits makes an incredibly smooth brandy along with other fruit-based spirits.

There are a number of very high quality restaurants along this route which take great pride in creating dishes with wine parings, so if it’s in the budget, plan to engage your palate.   There are also two artisan cheeseries – Poplar Grove and Upper Bench – that offer samples with their wine pairings.

If you are out near Naramata on a Wednesday afternoon in the summer, you can pop by the farmers market for something to do.  It operates from 3-6 pm and it also has a few wineries offering tastings blended among the fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade sauces and preserves, and select crafts.

Day 3: Oliver/Osoyoos

Oliver and Osoyoos have  slightly more desert conditions, which makes if one of the few regions in Canada where one can grow really good red grapes.

Because of their notoriety, tasting fees are ever-present here, and the wines are a little more expensive.    Generally, though, if you buy a bottle of wine, the tasting fee is waived, so it doesn’t matter all that much about the fees because you are bound to find at least one that you like at every stop.

Oliver/Osoyoos is the pride of the Okanagan for sure.   There are many fantastic wineries.  Here is a suggestion of just three, but don’t assume just because your favourite isn’t mentioned it isn’t worth the visit.    What is presented is a smattering of great choices nested among other great choices:

1. Moon Curser – this winery is located all the way on the other side of Osoyoos, but it is worth the trip,   The name comes from the days of smuggling whiskey and other such things across the border during prohibition – when the light of the moon was a bit of a curse.   A slightly smaller winery, but worth the visit.  And while you are on that side of town you can visit Adega and Nk’Mip as they are only a few blocks away.
2. Burrowing Owl – these guys are one of the wineries that put Oliver on the map.   They began producing fabulous reds about 20 years ago that got international attention.  Now they have a hotel, a fine dining restaurant, and a sizeable tasting room and wine shop.   A very popular destination.  While you’re there, climb the tower for a view of the whole valley.   They are located along Black Sage Road, a very sought-after grape growing location.
3. Intersection – On the other side of the highway, along the Golden Mile,  there are many more great wineries as well.    Intersection is unique because they offer courses on wine tasting and therefore have plenty of knowledge to impart on the subject.   It is fun to compare two wines made from the same type of grape, grown just a few rows from each other – but in completely different soil… they do not taste the same!   While you are in the neighbourhood, Hester Creek is just up the road.  This is one of those very reliable wineries where it’s hard to find something you don’t like.  They are big enough that you will find their flagship products in the liquor store so the goal is to find yourself some “go-to” wines that you really like that you can can always pick up en route to that dinner party down the road.   The winery has a beautiful setting, an expansive wine shop, and a relaxing picnic area.   And right across the street is Gehringer Brothers which is your next stop for sure!.   Enjoy.