Okanagan Valley
North, Central and South Okanagan
Food and Wine Magazine describes the Okanagan Valley as “a place of dramatic contrasts.”
“Formed by glaciers and volcanoes, it’s a destination where lakeside beaches meet bluffs and steep hillsides striped with vines give way to valley floors speckled with stone-fruit orchards.”
“It’s long been a playground for city dwellers in Vancouver and Calgary, who pop over for weekend jaunts, but now, its wineries and farm-to-table restaurants are calling to travelers from all over the world.”
We couldn’t describe it better ourselves.
If you fly into the valley via Kelowna International Airport, you’ll first be struck by Okanagan Lake, which cuts a stunning 135 kilometre swath through the surrounding hillsides. But be prepared for a lot more drama as you explore the valley and the ecological wonders it has to offer. The communities from the north part of the region south to the American border at Osoyoos are connected via Highway 97.
The Okanagan Valley is the largest of the nine Geographical Indicators in the province and contains 11 of the 12 sub GIs. It is part of the Okanagan Thompson Indigenous area where the NLaka’pamux, Okanagan and Secwepemc First Nations culture is bound to its desert landscapes, fertile soil, dense forests, mountains, and fresh water. Indigenous cultural experiences are countless and winemaking plays a significant role.
