Each year the Okanagan Valley gets thousands of visitors seeking the best in wine and cuisine. Since the late 1980's I have had the pleasure of visiting this area. I have watched it transform from primarily a fruit growing region, to one of the top wine regions in North America. Wines of BC lists 1,234 vineyards and 341 wineries in British Columbia, with over 200 of them in the Okanagan Valley. These days the Okanagan Valley is pure vinous magic.
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, June 2023 © Spaswinefood
Welcome to the Okanagan Valley
The Okanagan Valley is where 86% of the British Columbia's vineyard acreage is located. Viticultural regions are defined in British Columbia as areas of Geographic Indication (GI). To be certified as coming from a GI, wines must adhere to VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) standards. There are nine GIs across British Columbia. They include Fraser Valley, Gulf Islands, Kootenays, Lillooet, Okanagan Valley, Shuswap, Similkameen Valley, Thompson Valley and Vancouver Island. These GIs participate in a Vitners Quality Allicance (VQA), an appellation of origin that is modeled after the European system. An Okanagan VQA certifies a wine is from this region and meets the quality standards.
The Okanagan Valley GI has eleven official sub-regions, with each defined by its distinct soil and climate conditions. They include: Golden Mile Bench, Golden Mile Slopes, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Falls Skaha Bench, East Kelowna Slopes, Lake Country, South Kelowna Slopes, Summerland Bench, Summerland Lakefront and Summerland Valleys. Once you have discovered this wine region it will keep calling you back. During our June 2023 visit we concentrated on vine-filled explorations in the Southern part of the valley.
Our wine travels took us to a variety of wineries, ranging from boutique to large scale producers. In addition, foodie adventures was part our explorations. Dining at Okanagan Valley's winery restaurants is a must do. In fact, no visit to the Okanagan Valley is complete, without dining at a winery restaurant. You will experience excellent cuisine with a regional flavor. What follows are a few vignettes:
Hester Creek Winery
One of our first stops was Hester Creek Winery located on the Golden Mile Bench. Hester Creek was named British Columbia Winery of the Year for 2023.
Welcome to Hester Creek © Spaswinefood
This a very welcoming place and because of that we visited twice. The first time we did a wine tasting.
Wine Tasting, Hester Creek © Spaswinefood
When we returned the second time we enjoyed a bottle of Sémillon on the patio.
Wine Time, Hester Creek © Spaswinefood
Hester Creek, Sémillon, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley VQA 2022
Hester Creek, Sémillon, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley VQA 2022 © Spaswinefood
Terrafina Restaurant, Hester Creek © Spaswinefood
Wine Time, Terrafina Restaurant © Spaswinefood
Bartier Bros. Vineyard & Winery
We stopped by Bartier Bros. Vineyard & Winery located on the Black Sage Terrace, Oliver for a wine tasting.
Bartier Bros. Vineyard & Winery © Spaswinefood
River Stone Estate Winery
We did a wine tasting at River Stone, a small family owned winery. They grow five red Bordeaux varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, and several white varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer.
Off to River Stone Tasting Room © Spaswinefood
River Stone Wines © Spaswinefood
Phantom Creek Estate
Later we would visit Phantom Creek Estate on the Black Sage Bench. It's goal is to produces exceptional wines from historic vineyards. The winery’s six estate vineyards, including the acclaimed Phantom Creek Vineyard, are transitioning to being farmed organically and biodynamically. Their aim is to set a benchmark in Canadian viticulture and winemaking.
Phantom Creek Estates, Okanagan Valley © Spaswinefood
This is an impressive wine estate. It has enlisted some of the best in the field to be part of its wine team.
Welcome to Phantom Creek Estates © Spaswinefood
Phantom Creek Estates, Okanagan Valley © Spaswinefood
Wine Tasting, Phantom Creek Estates © Spaswinefood
Our wine tasting experience here was excellent. We not only enjoyed the wines but also, had a knowledgeable hostess. They have a winery restaurant that I would love to visit in the future.
Black Hills Estate Winery
We booked a premium wine tasting at the Black Hills Estate Winery . 
Tasting Black Hills Estate Wines © Spaswinefood
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery
One of the wineries recommended was to drop by Gehringer Brothers to taste their Riesling wines. We are glad we did because this is how we discovered their ice wines.
Gehringer Brothers Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood
We loved being introduced to their ice wines. It was worth the visit, just to taste these wines.
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery © Spaswinefood
Given ice wines are often hard to find we left with some for later.
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
The Burrowing Owl Winery, Black Sage Road is a beautiful 130 acre winery. It is located on the top of a hill overlooking the valley. It is a full service winery with a hotel (The Guest House) and restaurant (Sonora Room). The Burrowing Owl Winery is located in a most beautiful setting.
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery © Spaswinefood
Sonora Room, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery © Spaswinefood
We first visited this winery in 2011 and it was such a delight to return.
Burrowing Owl Estate Wine Flights © Spaswinefood
The deck views from the restaurant are amazing.
Taking in the Views, Burrowing Owl Estate © Spaswinefood
The vinous magic of the Okanagan Valley is compelling. Spaswinefood visits to the Okanagan have given me the opportunity to check out some of British Columbia's best wineries. The Okanagan Valley vineyards: (1) lie within the same latitude, as some of the greatest European vineyards, and (2) has attracted winemakers from great wine regions of the world. The result is these winemakers have put their talents and passion into making today's Okanagan wines great. Moreover, we were not disappointed in the culinary offerings because there are so many award winning winery restaurants in the Okanagan Valley. The Okanagan Valley has attracted some of the best Canadian chefs. If you are interested in “a wine and food adventure” then put the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia on your list. For us it was so much fun to explore the wine scene at the south end of the Okanagan Valley. Many of the Kelowna wineries also have vineyards in the Southern Okanagan. The temperature at the south end of the valley is reported to be up to four degrees warmer. This makes it so perfect for grape growing. In fact Oliver, the town at the south end of the Okanagan Valley, calls itself Wine Capital of Canada.
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View from Tinhorn Cellars, 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Here is some useful travel information to help you plan your wine country getaway to Okanagan wineries. Kelowna, the largest city in the Okanagan Valley is within driving distance from Vancouver (237 miles). Kelowna’s international airport has direct flights from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Seattle.
Without a doubt, the vinous magic of the Okanagan Valley was an highlight of my Summer 2023 wine travels. I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Okanagan Valley and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in the Okanagan Valley.
CHEERS!
Vignettes from Earlier Travels
As I said earlier I have visited the Okanagan Valley over the years. Below are some vignettes from an earlier visit in 2011.
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
We first visited the Burrowing Owl Winery May, 2011.
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| Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, May 2011 © Spaswinefood |
On a sunny Wednesday during the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival in 2011 we visited their award winning Sonora Room for lunch.
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
I still remember during our 2011 visit to the Sumac Ridge Estate Winery there was a Great Horned Owl and her two babies in a pine tree. It was quite a treat to see the owl family.
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Great Horned Owl and her babies © Spaswinefood |
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The baby owls are white © Spaswinefood |
What a beautiful way to end wine tasting!
Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, 1730 Mission Hill Road, Kelowna was an awesome experience. On the winery grounds you will find the award winning Terrace Restaurant. The setting of this restaurant is absolutely stunning. Architecturally this winery restaurant is an automatic winner.
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| Terrace Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Terrace Restaurant, © Spaswinefood |
You will find yourself in one of the most beautiful winery restaurant settings in the world. I am not the first to have recognized this.
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| Terrace Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Terrace Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
I can not think of a better place for lunch. Now, as I leave I capture these last few photos.
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| Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill © Spaswinefood |
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| Mission Hill © Spaswinefood |
The Terrace Restaurant is a culinary memory to be savored long after you leave.
Old Vines Restaurant at Quails'Gate Estate Winery
The Old Vines Restaurant, Quails' Gate Estate Winery, 3303 Boucherie Road has received recognition for its great cuisine.
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| Old Vines Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Old Vines Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Old Vines Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
We dropped by for lunch on May 3, 2011. Instead of selecting the Spring Wine Festival lunch menu with wine pairings we ordered from the menu. For wine John selected Old Vine Foch and I selected Pinot noir.
After a wonderful lunch we headed to the tasting room to taste more Quails' Gate wines.
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| Old Vines Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Grapevine Restaurant
Gray Monk Estate Winery and Vineyard, 1055 Camp Road, North Kelowna has a beautiful view of the lake and vineyards. Fifty acres of vineyards surround the winery.
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| Grape Vine Restaurant at Gray Monk © Spaswinefood |
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| Grape Vine Restaurant at Gray Monk © Spaswinefood |
Gray Monk is home to the award winning Grapevine Restaurant.
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| Grape Vine Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
During the Spring Wine Festival the restaurant featured a special wine pairing menu.
Even on a grey day in May the Grapevine Restaurant has a beautiful view to accompany its great food and wine.
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| Grape Vine Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Grape Vine Restaurant at Gray Monk © Spaswinefood |
Summerhill Sunset Bistro
Summerhill Pryramid Winery, 4870 Chute Lake Road, Kelowna is Canada's largest organic winery. Summerhill Sunset Organic Bistro at Summerhill Pyramind Winery overall goal is "from field to plate".
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| Summerhill Pyramid Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Summerhill Pyramid Winery © Spaswinefood |
Sunset Organic Bistro offers both inside and outside dining. The day we dropped by for lunch was a pleasant day; so we chose outside dining.
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| Sunset Organic Bistro © Spaswinefood |
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| Sunset Organic Bistro © Spaswinefood |
If you are looking for an outstanding culinary adventure check out the Okanagan Valley's winery restaurants.
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