10 Unique Adventures To Celebrate BC Wine Month
Dear April, with your aromatic spring blooms and lingering daylight, you invite the arrival of jaunty birdsong and light-dappled vineyards; a breath of fresh air after a long winter. As we usher in BC Wine Month, we toast the innovative winemakers from British Columbia that inspire us to connect more deeply with the land, each other, and BC communities. April, we’re ready to fall in love all over again—one glass (and adventure) at a time.
From spirited lawn games and yoga to cinema and sips al fresco, here are 10 creative and unexpected ways to taste the terroir of BC’s nine distinct wine regions and more than 350 wineries.
Photo: Quails’ Gate Winery
1. Pétanque and Pinot (Or a Chardonnay Will Do)
Quails’ Gate Winery | Okanagan Valley |📍West Kelowna
May marks the return of The Lawn League at Quails’ Gate Winery in the Okanagan Valley. Book a court and enjoy a casual game of pétanque (similar to bocce) over a glass of vino. The greens are nestled in lush vineyards overlooking the sparkling waters of Okanagan Lake. There are no set teams or commitments—it’s all about savouring the moment and having fun.
2. Art and Wine in the Vines
The Vibrant Vine Winery | Okanagan Valley |📍Kelowna
With its eye‑catching label designs and art‑adorned tasting room, The Vibrant Vine Winery delivers an eclectic, creative escape in the heart of BC wine country. Beyond traditional wine tastings, you can expand horizons with yoga, live concerts and hands-on creative mixers—thoughtfully paired with estate wines to spark your creative inspiration.
3. Movies and Wine Under the Stars
Grizzli Winery | Okanagan Valley |📍West Kelowna
Grizzli Winery is starting spring on a high note with weekly Happy Hour and live music, Easter activities, and a three-course vineyard dinner event. Their highly anticipated outdoor movie series returns this fall. Kick back and relax in the Outdoor Cinema Series, a picturesque evening of wine tasting, snacks, and beloved films that transport you to another place and time. The winery’s expansive outdoor space offers a beautiful backdrop for an immersive and entertaining evening filled with family‑friendly vibe and libations.
4. Savour the Stories of the Land
Nk’Mip Cellars | Okanagan Valley |📍Osoyoos
Nk’Mip Cellars is more than the first Indigenous-owned and-operated winery in North America, it’s a gateway into the culture of the Okanagan Indian Band. Start with a guided interpretive walk at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, where you’ll learn about their entrepreneurial spirit and deep connection to the land, then head to the winery to sample the layers of time in a bottle (tip: try the Blind Wine & Cheese Tasting).
Photo: Discover Naramata
5. Ride the Historic Kettle Valley Railway
Bench 1775 Winery | Okanagan Valley |📍Naramata
The wineries dotting the spectacular Naramata Bench are a welcome respite as you cycle this 20 km leg of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, a historic railway route that’s been transformed into a pedestrian and bike path. Rent an e-bike to ride between Penticton and Naramata, stopping in at numerous wineries. At Bench 1775 Winery, which is a short walk from the KVR trail, a refreshing glass of Sauvignon Blanc beckons with hints of spring. Be sure to dine at Bench Patio Bistro, where every meal is paired with sun-kissed views of Okanagan Lake. Just 10 minutes down the road is McCulloch Trestle, the perfect place for a photo op.
6. Hands-On Culinary Class and Pairings
Hester Creek Estate Winery | Okanagan Valley |📍Oliver
The Okanagan Valley is abundant with fresh, seasonal, and expertly grown ingredients. Savour the bounty, perfectly paired with Hester Creek wines that bring out the flavours in every bite. Join an intimate Cooking Class Dinner and watch as an expert chef prepares the meal in front of you, revealing their culinary secrets for you to try.
7. Discover the Art of Sabrage
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery | Fraser Valley and Okanagan Valley |📍Langley and Penticton
Sabering a bottle of sparkling wine is a thrilling tradition that dates back to Napoleonic times. You can use a ceremonial saber to pop some of BC’s finest sparkling wine. At Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, you can get up close and personal with this theatrical display. Sample a flight of their Seven Stars Sparkling Wine series and watch a sabrage demonstration. The best part of all? You can take the saber and try it for yourself.
Photo: Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery
8. Wine Down with Yoga and Dance
Privato Vineyard & Winery | Thompson Valley |📍Kamloops
Privato Vineyard & Winery sets the stage for BC Wine Month with opening weekend slated for April 4, with free cheese platters and wine tastings. Easter will be filled with fun for the whole family, including an exciting Easter egg hunt, bouncy castle, and wine and cider for the adults. Come summer, the lush gardens set the stage for Privato’s Move and Sip series. Running in June, July, and August, the series includes a yoga or dance class, paired with sound healing music, and a glass of wine or cider. Whether you’re into grooving to Latin music or striking a vinayasa in the vineyard, try something new and heal your mind and body with soulful sips.
9. Caves, Helicopters, and Full-Bodied Reds
Seven Stones Winery | The Similkameen Valley |📍Cawston
Set in the verdant and fertile lands of the Similkameen Valley, Seven Stones Winery is a prime destination for quirky wine experiences. Tour the winery and venture into their subterranean stone caves, located seven feet below ground. The caves are designed to age their wines in rich oak barrels. While there, you can taste the terroir while hearing all about the “The Legend of the Seven Stones.” Take your experience to new heights with a wine-helicopter tour from their launchpad.
10. Wander Through the Grapevine Tunnel
Lulu Island Winery | Fraser Valley |📍Richmond
Visit 10 acres of lush vineyards at Lulu Island Winery, which produces a range of wines to enjoy. Their signature grapevine tunnel on the property is a vibrant vine archway. Wander through the tunnel, then join one of the winery tours to see how the grapes make it from vine to bottle. Fridays offer extra-special fun with Vibes and Vino Happy Hour, featuring rotating musicians, wine, and cheese and charcuterie platters.
BC Wine Month is just the beginning of your wine journey and these one-of-a-kind experiences are the first of many incredible places to visit and things to do this spring and summer. Visit WineBC.com to learn more about BC winemakers and events—a treasure trove to discover all year long.
Amber Turnau
Amber is a freelance storyteller and outdoor adventurer who has spent nearly 20 years living in the beautiful Sea-to-Sky Corridor. When she’s not writing, she spends her spare time snowboarding, hiking, biking, and SUPing her way through beautiful BC—all the while indulging in delicious local food and wine.
