In Kelowna there are approximately 18 wineries;
13 traditional(ish), in the sense that you can go do a tasting at a winery located within a vineyard.
2 urban wineries not located upon a vineyard, but rather in the city.
2 wineries producing mead and 1 unique in its own right which I will get to further on in the article. 
Note, this list excludes West Kelowna and deserves its own post...coming soon!

The smaller and more manageable number of wineries in Kelowna is definitely convenient for the newcomer. If it’s your first time to Kelowna then you can use this comprehensive list to pick and choose which wineries interest you. 

If you leave it to a tour they’ll break it down similarly, by location. But if you prefer to beat your own path by all means pick and choose based on which wineries have an onsite restaurant, which produce Pinot Noir, Riesling, bubbles or any other favourite varietals you have. 

With almost all the traditional wineries a tasting fee of $4-$10 is typical but is waved if you purchase a bottle. With the urban wineries you will run into different scenarios each specific to their own location. For example, Ricco Bambino has more of a bar/lounge vibe where you can order a flight of wines, cocktails or a glass of their wines. This is different when compared to Sandhill which is a classic wine tasting experience offered in downtown Kelowna. 

Let me know what your preferred style of winery is in the comments at the bottom of this post.

The Traditional

The 10 traditional wineries can be broken up by location; The Lakeshore wine route & the East Kelowna wine bench.

Lakeshore Wine Route

1. Tantalus Winery

• Views of city and Okanagan Lake
• Known for Pinot Noir & Riesling
• Look for seasonal events

• No restaurant
• Reservations required on weekends

One of my favourite wineries for both the exceptional wines produced as well as the impressive vineyard and view, Tantalus is the nearest winery on the Lakeshore Wine Route to downtown Kelowna. Just recently, Tantalus requires reservations for tastings on the weekends because of the demand. I highly recommend you book a reservation if you’re not joining a wine tour that includes Tantalus within a stop (many do). But if you find yourself taking in the views of orchards, vineyards and the lavender farm on a week day Tantalus is a great stop over. I enjoy popping in when I can after a quick visit with my parents who live in the area. Not a bad winery to have in the neighbourhood!

• Personal favourites: Rosé & Chardonnay Bubbly

2. Summerhill Pyramid Winery

• Organic, Vegan and Biodynamic
• Restaurant – Reservations recommended
• Famous for their sparkling wines and onsite pyramid
• Tours offered

100% organic and biodynamic vineyard, Summerhill is my neighbourhood winery!
A great option for those looking to take in some sprawling views of the Okanagan Lake while dinning at the coveted restaurant. Reservations recommended! The Bistro offers vegan and gluten free options. However, I go here for the charcuterie and cheese, Okanagan valley views and their award winning bubbles such as the Cipes Brut, Cipes Blanc de Noir and Cipes Blanc de Blanc. 
Aside from the bubbly the Summerhill Pyramid Winery is also known for its, well, pyramid. The Pyramid is thought to amplify the contents of each bottled that graces its interior. 

• Personal favourites: Foch & Cipes Brut

3. St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate

• Boutique winery
• Picnic table and views
• More unique varietals

• No restaurant

A boutique winery that had to rebuild after the devastating 2003 fire which destroyed 200 homes and acres of vineyard. It is an 80 acre vineyard and has been so since 1928 – a bragging right that only a few other wineries can attest to. All their wines are also 100% estate grown which means that they do not buy grapes from others nor do they have any other vineyard land to the south or north of the valley. They offer more varietals than most Kelowna wineries such as Schonberger, Chasselass and Pinot Blanc, Marechal Foch, Gamay Noir and Family Reserve Pinot Noir. 

• Personal favourites: Chasselass & Gamay Noir

4. CedarCreek Winery

• Newly renovated for 2019 opening
• Restaurant
• Okanagan lake views
• Seasonal events
• Known for Pinot Noir

Now owned by Mission Hill Estate (located directly across the lake from each other), CedarCreek is another local favourite for the seasonal dinning – although they are working on a year round restaurant, the unparalleled views of the Okanagan Lake and one of my favourite Ehrenfelser wines in the valley. 
It’s a beautiful winery with plenty of annual onsite events such as yoga in the vineyard, starry night plates harvest dinner, hiking the vineyard harvest lunch and more. 

• Pinot Noir Rosé

5. Martin’s Lane

• Pro and Con: Very exclusive
• Stunning view & architecture

• No restaurant
• Reservation feels more like an application process

Right next door to CedarCreek winery is Martin’s Lane. You’ll see this looming rusty building jarringly jutting out of the hillside in stark contrast to CedarCreeks more natural wood curves and the pueblo-style cream coloured stucco. CedarCreek is going for a major renovation due to open May 2019 so I’m looking forward to see if the renos help the two wineries play off each other more naturally. 
But the word of the day for Martin’s Lane is Exclusive. You can’t get past the gates without a reservation so you do feel the exclusion as you gaze up at this dark towering building behind CedarCreek’s tasting room.  In order to get in you either have to know the Von Mandl family, owner of Mission Hill and (as of 2016) CedarCreek, or request a reservation on the website. Fingers crossed. 
Is it just me or does their website and labels have a distinct planet Mars vibe? Similar to The Martian film font and colour scheme? But I digress…

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rain, rain go away! Glistening wet grapes. Just need some sunshine to fully ripen.

A post shared by Scorched Earth Winery (@scorchedearthwinery) on Sep 16, 2019 at 8:21am PDT

 

6. Scorched Earth

• Fantastic pinot noir
• Tour included with $5 pp tasting fee
• Private, no large groups

• Reservations required
• No restaurant

You’ll have to make an appointment with the owner for a tour and tasting. They’ll work with you as best as they can even if you are asking last minute. Cost is a very affordable $5 per person and this includes a tour! Also located on the Lakeshore wine route, it is worth a stop especially if you’re into lesser know wineries and a more intimate one and one with the winemaker.

7. Sperling Winery

• Vineyard maze onsite
• Historic site
• Family boutique winery
• Popular for sparkling wines

• No restaurant

This is the winery located in between the East Kelowna Bench and the Lakeshore Wine Route. Situated on historical land where Father Pandosy first settled – check out the historical site two doors down – hence the location on Pioneer Rd. With four generations having farmed the land grapes have been grown on site since 1920s. The varietals and vines there today, however, are more contemporary with the oldest being from the around the 1970s.

• Personal favourite: Natural Amber Pinot Gris aka orange wine

Fab Five Wine Route / East Kelowna Bench

This is where a bit of confusion can come into play. If you visit KelownaFabFiveWineries.ca you’ll find only 3 wineries that stretch across 5 kms. However, if you look to Tourism Kelowna you’ll find 5 wineries listed – which of course there are were 5 wineries upon the East Kelowna Bench (now there are arguably 6 with the latest addition of Kitsch Wines).

Whether this is a mistake in marketing, or the 3 wineries believe themselves to be in East Kelowna while the others arguable may not be, it doesn’t really matter to those seeking the wine. All that matters is that there are now 6 wineries you should check out in the general area of the East Kelowna Wine Bench starting with…

8. Spearhead Winery

• Boutique winery
• Known for Pinot Noir selection
• Picnic tables

• No restaurant

Located on a beautiful property amongst an area of Kelowna that still produces rows and rows of orchards – it is a quick and gorgeous escape from the city. Get your camera ready to take photos of apple, pear and cherry trees in between vineyards.

Another point of confusion – the winery is Spearhead however, on some bottles it has Spierhead. I believe that you can break it down by where the wines come from. Basically, the Rose, Riesling and White Pinot Noir (a personal favourite) have their label written as “Spearhead” while all others – such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris – have Spierhead – being located on Spiers Road…does this matter? It may for those looking on the shelves at your local wine store. Confusing as it may be, the wines are anything but confounding. 

The White Pinot Noir (2017) is delicious and a prize to bring home as it is difficult to make white wine from a red pinot noir grape. Additionally, give their Pinot Gris a try for tropical notes and dive into their well represented Pinot Noir collection.

• Personal favourite: White Pinot Noir

9. Kitsch Winery

• Small batch
• Annual Wine Klub Members Pool Party
• Known for Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
• Share #OkanaganinaGlass

• No restaurant

From the creator of Saxx Underwear, Kitsch wine is located on one of the most impressive properties with a large private mansion and the back garage operating as the tasting room. The vineyards cascade to reveal the view spanning the Okanagan Lake, Lower Mission and Downtown Kelowna. Pinot Noir, Resiling and Pinot Gris are the three varietals in production. However, Kitsch Wine is just getting started – you can keep up to date with new wines and yearly events through their Instagram Stories.

• Personal favourites: 7 Barrel Chardonnay

10. The Vibrant Vine

• Food offered on-site
• Seasonal events
• Known for their tie-dye sleeve labels
• Famed for “Whoops” white wine

Popular for their tied-dyed sleeve labels, the Vibrant Vine is another winery that offers crowd pleasing wines. Located in a 1937 converted heritage home, their most awarded and famed wine is the “Whoops” named for a labeling mistake – the label put on upside down. In 2013, Whoops was awarded best white wine the world at the World Wine Competition in Geneva, Switzerland. VIP tastings are offered in their cellar but I recommend you contact prior to inquire.

If you can’t swing the VIP it’s a great spot to grab a glass and hang out on their tasting room lawn and take in one of their seasonal events.
I must also note that The Vibrant Vine owns the Okanagan Villa Estate Winery so you are technically getting 2 in 1 on this visit.

• Personal Favourite: Phantom Red

11. The View

• Historic tasting room
• Both wine and cider tastings available
• Nestled among orchards

• No restaurant

The View winery offers no view at all really, however, it was their intention. As they changed a portion of their land from orchard to vineyard they had big plans to offer a view from the tasting room on top of their 1928 packing house. However, due to logistics and physics the tasting room is located on the bottom floor – but what a handsome vintage tasting room it is! Along with wine tasting you can also try their ciders. 
The wine steward may tell the tale of how live Pinotage South African vines ended up being planted in Canada.

• Personal favourite: Pinotage Reserve

12. Camelot Winery

• Kitschy medieval decor
• Small batch boutique winery
• Known for cheese plates

• No restaurant
• Limited wines to try

A knights tale at a boutique winery. Velvet seats fixed upon wooden carved thrones greet you at the door but upon entry it is a towering suit of armour surrounded by bottles of Camelot wines staring you down in the small tasting room. 
This winery is owned by a spouse team who work for an airline. They are required to fly to London once per week which enables them to bring back UK cheeses for their weekly cheese plate. Grab a cheese plate and bottle to enjoy on the picnic tables surrounded by vineyard.

• Personal favourite: I’m going to be honest. I am not a huge fan but I did enjoy their Pinot Noir

13. House of Rose

• Large rose statues
• Picnic tables
• Annual grape stomp event

• No restaurant

I overheard a couple from China telling the wine steward at House of Rose that it was their favourite winery. I was a bit shocked to hear it. The House of Rose Winery is located on a modest property attached to a private residence. You might blink and miss it. The yard is populated with picnic tables and tall rose statues made of sheet metal. Inside, a small tasting room pouring wines with cute labels like “Hot Flashes”, “Grapes with Benefits”, “Ros-Eh” and more. You’re getting general crowd pleasers on the sweeter side.
A fun side-note, Brooke Shields ordered a case of their Hot Flashes wine after completing the filming of The Hot Flashes in Louisiana in 2012.

• Personal favourite: Their wines are a little sweet for me but I did enjoy the Grapes with Benefits white

Kelowna’s Urban Wineries

14. Ricco Bambino

• Latest addition to Kelowna wine scene (2018)
• Already known for their sparkling wines
• Nibbles offered

Excellent wines offered at a higher price point than most of the other wineries on this list. $15 is the typical cost of a flight, cocktail or glass of wine and a bottle is approximately $30 and over. The atmosphere feels like it was designed by a Kardashian with the addition of concrete eggs adorning the wall on your left. Much like Kardashians, the atmosphere may not appeal to you but their wines are delicious. If you go for one drink make it one of their sparkling wines. The “Kicked out of the Country Club” and “Very Troubled Child” are some of the best in the Okanagan.

• Personal favourite: Kicked out of the Country Club sparkling wine

15. Sandhill

• Serves Calona Vineyard brand wines
• Conveniently located downtown

Located in a more industrial surrounding than Ricco Bambino, Sandhill offers wine tastings of both Sandhill Wines and Calona Vineyards which are Wayne Gretzky, Conviction and Peller Estates wines. It is the oldest location of a winery in British Columbia and has a contemporary lounge area giving it the vibe of a discovery centre for both wineries. It is $14 to try wines from both Colona and Sandhill.

Honey Wine Producers AKA Mead

16. Meadow Vista Honey Wines

• Located in East Kelowna
• Seasonal onsite events
• Small bistro

If you’re in the mood for something a little different then check out Meadow Vista for their varied offerings of honey wines. Located in the East Kelowna area, it’s a perfect little add on for when you’re touring through the East Kelowna Bench.

• Personal favourite: Bliss honey wine

17. Urban Distilleries & Winery

• Conveniently located downtown
• Serves gin, vodka, whiskey as well as honey wine

• No restaurant

Located around the corner from Sandhill Winery, you’ll get a tasting of spirits ranging from gin, whisky and vodka to eau de vie and sweet honey wines.

Other

18. Frequency Winery

• Live music
• Owned by Vibrant Vines
• Seasonal events
• Rooftop patio

The wines in studio are aged and infused with harmonic sound frequencies created by artists who perform live. Those who come into the winery can watch and listen to Canadian artists recording their music while also putting out “good vibes” helping to infused the wine with sound frequencies as well and positivity. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever come across and makes it in a league of its own.