Discover
Summerland Bench WIne Country
Summerland Bench Wine region
At the foot of an extinct volcano, local wineries bottle a rich past and a vibrant future in every pour.
The prominent Okanagan Lake and commanding silhouette of Giant’s Head Mountain, an ancient volcanic formation, dominate the landscape in this lush growing region. Here, wineries, orchards, and farms embody the farm-to-fork lifestyle, offering everything from fresh local honey to U-pick cherries and seasonal produce. Take a self-guided tour along the famous Bottleneck Drive wine route, where you can sample vintages from award-winning wineries—as well as cideries, distilleries, and craft breweries.
Surrounded by mountains, lake, and forest, the area is abundant with outdoor adventures. Paddle on the lake, hike the dormant volcano, or visit the 250-year-old Ponderosa pine. History buffs can climb aboard the refurbished Kettle Valley Steam Railway locomotive for a scenic ride across towering trestles—all while listening to tales of train robberies and hijinx.
Cool Nights, Vibrant Flavors
Tucked in the rain shadow of Giant’s Head Mountain and mountain ranges to the west, the Summerland Bench sub-region is strongly influenced by the vast expanse of Okanagan Lake. These sun-kissed benchlands benefit from long daylight hours and warm summer days, while the lake breezes help moderate evening temperatures. Winters can bring cold snaps, but overall, the area receives less precipitation than BC’s coastal regions. These climate conditions help to preserve the natural acidity and nuanced flavour profiles that define wines from this sub-region.
Volcanic Roots
The coarse, textured soils of Summerland Bench tell the story of the region’s dynamic volcanic past, inspiring layered and complex profiles in each pour. Well-drained gravel and sandy elements, typical of volcanic soils, contribute minerality to the grapes. Terraced vineyards, especially near Giant’s Head Mountain also feature deposits left behind by ancient glacial meltwater.
OKANAGAN VALLEY
WINERIES
Exploring British Columbia’s vineyards reveals the unique terroir & diverse varietals flourishing in this picturesque Canadian province.
North Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
North Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
North Okanagan Valley
EXPLORE
MORE BC WINE REGIONS
The Okanagan Valley
10,920
Acres Planted
210
Licensed Grape Wineries
With an ever-changing panorama, the valley stretches over 250 kilometres, across sub-regions, each with distinct soil and climate conditions suited to growing a range of varietals from sun-ripened reds to lively fresh and often crisp whites.
Kootenays
117
Acres Planted
7
Licensed Grape Wineries
Located in the southeastern corner of British Columbia, the Kootenay region is home to pristine rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains.
Shuswap
107
Acres Planted
6
Licensed Grape Wineries
Wines have been produced here since 1997, predominately of cool climate varieties, which is understandable as it is one of the most northerly grapegrowing regions in North America.
Thompson Valley
93
Acres Planted
3
Licensed Grape Wineries
Nestled amongst the natural beauty of the North and South Thompson Rivers in and around Kamloops, the rain shadow of the high coastal mountains, the semi-arid conditions and diverse microclimates provide many creative options for our winemakers to shine.
The Similkameen Valley
768
Acres Planted
17
Licensed Grape Wineries
The Similkameen Valley is a pristine stretch of vineyards, set amongst the dramatic backdrop of rugged and awe-inspiring mountains. Considered the “organic capital of Canada”, the area is known for small farms and producers dedicated to creating quality produce, delectable foods, and award-winning wines.
Fraser Valley
194
Acres Planted
28
Licensed Grape Wineries
Encompassing Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, New Westminster to Delta, Langley, Aldergrove and Abbotsford in the east, the Fraser Valley wine region is dedicated to producing high quality, handcrafted wines with diverse varieties and styles: from unique fruit wines to delicious sparkling wines to fresh, fruit-forward table wines to fortified.
Lillooet
51
Acres Planted
2
Licensed Grape Wineries
One of the oldest towns in the province, Lillooet is located at the southern tip of the Cariboo Chilcotin region of British Columbia. The climate is very similar to the traditional grapegrowing regions in the Okanagan Valley with long, hot, dry summers. However, nights are cooler, making average summer temperatures slightly lower than the Okanagan, but at the same time preserving the fresh crisp acidity in the wines.
Gulf Islands
110
Acres Planted
11
Licensed Grape Wineries
A vibrant community of wine producing islands – Salt Spring, Pender, Saturna, Quadra, Gabriola, Hornby, Denman – offer a glimpse into an easygoing lifestyle that allows time to savour the quiet moments with a fitting variety of unpretentious wines.
Vancouver Island
321
Acres Planted
22
Licensed Grape Wineries
On Vancouver Island, grape winemaking really began after a provincial government-funded trial – the Duncan Project – identified Pinot Gris, Auxerrois and Ortega as promising varieties for this unique seaside environment.
Newsletter
Subscribe to the Vine
Get the details on BC wine events, contests, recipes, and promotions delivered right to your inbox.