South Okanagan
Osoyoos, Oliver, Okanagan Falls, Kaleden, Penticton, Naramata, Summerland and Peachland
Common Varieties Grown: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer
Key Wine Events: Festival of the Grape (September), Half Corked Marathon (May), Okanagan Spring Wine Festival (May), Okanagan Fall Wine Festival (October)
South Okanagan Wine Country: Exploring Oliver & Osoyoos
If there is a motto to be embraced in the Oliver-Osyoos wine growing region, it has to be about renewal. Tough winters in 2023 and 2024 put growers to the test, but new life is evident in the vineyards that have been replanted and those that have survived to see another season.
As you head south from Oliver to Osoyoos at the US border, the unique terrain consisting of large swaths of grape vines and fruit trees lining the rolling landscape along Highway 97 should not escape your notice.
The vivid green foliage are in sharp contrast to the dry, brown hillsides that make up the surrounding terrain. It seems out of place – and it is. Left to its own, this fruitful landscape would actually produce very little. The Oliver-Osoyoos area is in a desert belt – an extension of the Sonoran stretching up from Mexico.
Cacti and rattlesnakes are more at home here and there’s an interpretation centre where visitors can experience Canada’s only desert and explore Indigenous culture.
Fertile ground for growing grapes and fruit has been made possible by the use of irrigation, which has given new life to the South Okanagan. The area’s extended days of heat and sunshine have made it possible to grow varieties not previously thought possible.
Today, in this short stretch of the province, you will find more than half of the grape acreage in British Columbia. So it should come as no surprise that the local chamber of commerce declared the area as the “Wine Capital of Canada.”
If you are looking for a wine-soaked adventure, then the Oliver-Osoyoos region cannot be missed. Here you’ll find more than 60 wineries and British Columbia’s first official sub-geographical indication (sub-GI), the Golden Mile Bench, recognizing it for its unique climates, soil types and wine styles.
Oliver-Osoyoos is where the majority of the “big reds” have been grown – Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot – varieties that need an extended growing season and plenty of sunshine and heat.
And this is Canada’s hot spot – literally. It routinely tops the list as the hottest place in the country during the summer. Average daily highs are in excess of 29 C in July, but temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s are not uncommon.
From July through October, you’ll find roadside stands offering fresh cherries apricots, peaches, pears, plums and apples. And, of course, year round wineries will offer up their own bottled bounties made from the grapes and selected tree fruits harvested each year.
Osoyoos is the southernmost point in the valley and located on the shores of the warmest lake in Canada. It’s a border town with easy access to the U.S. for those who want to make a quick trip stateside.
Despite recent development of luxury hotels and residential communities, Osoyoos has managed to retain its small-town charm offering idyllic respite with all the amenities you might desire at your fingertips.
Dining in the area has been elevated in recent years, with a nod toward regional and seasonal cuisine.
Gorgeous beaches and family-friendly options are plentiful in this stunning lakeside community. Awesome hiking and biking trails and backcountry adventures are close at hand.
South Okanagan Wine Touring: Discover Okanagan Falls & Kaleden
When you make your way through the community of Okanagan Falls, there will be one thing that will probably not escape your notice. The “falls” themselves don’t actually exist.
Originally, a robust set of twin falls fell from where Skaha Lake empties into the river, however, in 1946, a series of dams were built to control flooding. Don’t despair, Okanagan Falls and the community of Kaleden, located south of Penticton, still serve up plenty of charm and best of all, a thriving wine growing hub.
The first winery opened in 1986 and now about 20 can be found along the region’s winding roads. Many of them are members of the Okanagan Falls Skaha Lake Winery Association, at which Okanagan Falls is the centre, stretching north along the east bench of Skaha Lake, across the water to Kaleden and south over the hills of Vaseux Lake.
The association describes this area as a “unique climatic zone known as a semi-arid steppe, the finale stage of a desert area that extends up from the United States. Along with that comes long warm days and cool nights that retain the acidity in the grapes and helps shape their distinctive character and flavours.”
It’s this unique terroir that has prompted Okanagan Falls to be recognized as a Sub-Geographical Indication of the Okanagan Valley. Many of the wineries have embraced this terroir to craft products with individual signatures to critical acclaim. You’ll find organic, biodynamic, rustic and sophisticated wines made here.
The Okanagan Falls and Kaleden area harkens back to a simpler way of living. You won’t find any big box stores here, but if you’re in need of some retail therapy, you’ll be delighted by the eclectic mix of antique stores and craft shops, plus a flea market.
The area is a huge draw for nature lovers as a large selection of wildlife lives in the area, with many unique desert flora and fauna for naturalists to explore. A bird sanctuary is situated at Vaseux Lake just south of the town, complete with an interpretive centre.
Common Varieties Grown: Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer
Key Wine Events: Okanagan Spring Wine Festival (May), Okanagan Fall Wine Festival (October)
Common Varieties Grown: Merlot, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Syrah,
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Key Wine Events: Okanagan Spring Wine Festival (May), Okanagan Fall Wine Festival (October)
South Okanagan Wine Touring: Explore Penticton & the Naramata Bench
There aren’t many places that can rival this part of BC wine country when it comes to bucket list vistas and fine wine.
The picturesque winding roads of the Naramata Bench tend to wow first-time visitors and turn them into repeat customers, especially since there is a high density of wine producers that line this incredible trail.
The setting is stunning, pastoral and peaceful and seemingly distant from urban life. Yet this vineyard nirvana, with its scenic lake views, is but a few minutes from downtown Penticton, the third largest city in the Okanagan Valley.
Penticton is lovely city with a small-town feel and sandwiched between the banks of Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. For water enthusiasts, there are long stretches of shoreline with plenty of public beaches and access to a myriad of marine sports and activities.
There’s a river channel that winds through the heart of the city and visitors can leisurely float the entire length on tubes and other floatation devices from one end to the other. This activity has been highlighted in the book titled, The Great Canadian Bucket List.
The city has been referred to as the “festival capital” with a wide range of annual events such as the Fest of Ale, Peachfest, Pentastic Hot Jazz Festival, Elvis Festival and the Ironman Triathalon. Signature events for the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival are also held here.
Outdoor adventure seekers will appreciate the wide range of trails for hiking and biking and the city is just minutes from Skaha Bluffs, a climber’s paradise that has garnered international recognition.
There are two Sub-Geographical Indications for wine production on the outskirts of Penticton. On the north side of Okanagan Lake is the Naramata Bench, where you will find one of the highest concentrations of wineries in the Okanagan Valley. It’s a great destination for a day trip and if you don’t mind the occasional hill climb, this is a sensational spot for a winery cycle tour. Some tour outfitters are even offering full electric and pedal assist bikes.
Further south on the eastside bench of the Skaha Lake you’ll find another small cluster of wineries. Many locations in this Sub GI area offer sweeping lake and hillside views.
South Okanagan Wine Touring: Discover Summerland & Peachland
It’s pretty easy to recharge your batteries with a visit to the sun-drenched communities of Peachland and Summerland. Set along the western shores of Okanagan Lake, just south of Kelowna, these lovely municipalities deliver dreamy vacation options, especially those that involve wine.
Indeed, the rolling hills above the water are home to a broad range of eclectic wineries and other beverage producers offering homegrown alcohol-based and even non-alcoholic options from the soil outside their doors. That helps contribute to a pretty dreamy vacation destination.
Both communities are set along the shores of stunning Okanagan Lake just off Highway 97 between Kelowna and Penticton, which both have airports offering regional daily flights.
Peachland and Summerland offer clean waterfront access for boating, paddleboarding, and so much more, as well as walking, hiking and biking trails and golf courses.
These communities are known for their quaint, friendly hospitality. And wine lovers will find several pockets of producers, some located right off the highway, while others are dotted along the hilly landscape. Enthusiasts will be especially drawn to the “Bottleneck Drive” in Summerland, a meandering path leading visitors to more than a dozen wineries, cideries, and distilleries. There is literally something for everyone no matter what your poison. And they are all closely grouped, making a cycle tour an appealing option.
This area offers a truly grassroots feel and artistic vibe. Expect to be entertained by local musicians, and enjoy the works of artists and crafters. This is an area rich in creativity.
It’s also a foodie’s paradise, with local producers and restaurateurs embracing the concept of the 100-mile diet – regional cuisine that promotes local, seasonal ingredients.
Please consult the maps in this guide for touring options.
Common Varieties Grown: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Kerner
Key Wine Events: Grand Sommelier Express (June), Okanagan Spring Wine Festival (May), Okanagan Fall Wine Festival (October)
South Okanagan
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