The shimmering waters of Shuswap Lake are the centrepiece for the area’s namesake Shuswap wine region, a haven for local ingredients, craft beverages and nature activities. Situated on the homelands of the Secwépemc Nation, the area is surrounded by the Monashee Mountains, forests and fertile land for vineyards, orchards, farms and ranches.

With more than 1,000 kilometres of lakeshore, Shuswap Lake stretches itself in four directions, with small communities perched throughout. Salmon Arm and Sicamous, the two largest communities in the area, are hubs for culture, cuisine and nature activities in all seasons. Explore the lake, go for a mountain bike ride and hike to panoramic viewpoints. Spend snowy days downhill skiing, snowmobiling or hitting the cross-country tracks. Plan your stay around one-of-a-kind seasonal activities and festivals, including the annual Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival in summer and the Sicamous Fungi Festival in the fall. Meanwhile, spring and fall bring vibrant flowers in bloom.

Photo: Celista Estate Winery

Day 1: Forest, Lakes & Fine Dining

The Treetop Flyers Zipline at Chase Creek Falls is a heart-pumping introduction to the Shuswap. Zip over waterfalls, take a 50-foot leap or swing across a canyon at 80 kilometres per hour.

After an immersive forest excursion head to the lake, as you’re in the Shuswap after all! Visit Shuswap Lake Park, where nearby businesses offer an exhaustive list of activities: bumper boats, a mini-golf driving range, go-karts, parasailing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, plus boat and jet-ski rentals. There are myriad other beaches and parks tucked away on the shores of the H-shaped lake.

From tree top to terrace with a glass of rosé, an afternoon spent on the grounds of Celista Estate Winery is a delightful way to celebrate your first day. This 80-acre property has a scenic gazebo, beautiful gardens and a large patio. Their fine dining menu is created by R&M Foods and their team of two Red Certified Chefs. Reserve a tour of the winery to learn about its history, the grape varietals and Celista’s award-winning wines. During the summer months, the winery also organizes a lively roster of bands, playing everything from Mexican ballads to rock ‘n roll covers. Uncork a bottle of their best, kick off your shoes, then dance on the grass. Celista also has on-site cabins for those who want to stay on the property.

Photo: Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery

Day 2: Llamas, Lookouts & Patio Sips
Begin in Sicamous, the Houseboating Capital of Canada and a must-visit for on-and-off-lake adventures. The town’s settler heritage is on full display, with tributes to the Gold Rush and points of interest like The Last Spike for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Sicamous is also home to the famed Sicamous Lookout, an accessible platform with spectacular views.

In Salmon Arm, you can visit the largest curved inland wooden wharf and check out the bird sanctuary, before heading to Kwellkémt (Bastion Mountain), where sweeping vistas of the valley await. Animal-lovers can stop by the Llama Sanctuary to get up close and personal with these quirky creatures.

Raise a glass in the tasting room of Recline Ridge Vineyards, a cedar log house with an outdoor patio. The vineyard is home to six cool-climate varieties and there are glamping and camping sites at the property.

Just 12 minutes down the road, Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery is a peaceful retreat for savouring the moment. Formerly a hay farm cultivated by two Belgian draft horses, the family-run winery is now a hub for tastings and vineyard strolls. Enjoy scenic sips on their patio, with views of Shuswap Lake and Kwellkémt. Weekend visitors can order a delicious charcuterie box made from local cheeses, meats and gourmet goodies.

Photo: Larch Hills Winery

Day 3:  Indigenous Cultures, Wine & a Touch of Nostalgia
Spend the morning learning about Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and forge a deeper connection with the land on a guided experience with First Nations-owned Ancestral Heartbeat Tours out of Enderby. Indigenous educator, Laura Dohla, offers tours of the Enderby Cliffs, as well as a paddling and drumming experience.

With your heart and head filled with new learnings about the land and its stewards, you can turn your sights to the terroir. And, what better way to enjoy the terroir than to taste it? Begin your wine afternoon at Larch Hills Winery, a family-owned operation with 15 acres of vines. Take a self-guided tour, then hit the tasting room to sample their award-winning wines, which include: Ortega, Madeleine Angevine, Madeleine Sylvaner, Siegerrebe and Agria. When visiting Shuswap in winter, be sure to check out their popular Christmas Open House.

Heading southeast, pop into Baccata Ridge Winery for fruit-forward wines with bucolic views. Their upbeat winemaking team eagerly shares tasting notes in a rustic cabin on the property.

Nearby Waterside Vineyard & Winery promises “a wine you love to love.” Resting on a riverbed, the family farm invites visitors to enjoy sustainable wines and meet the hands-on team behind the vines. Waterside serves a late-week lunch menu and weekend food specials that include a steak night, and wood-fired pizza pop-up.

Wind down the evening with a nostalgic film at the Starlight Drive-In, a favourite amongst locals and visitors alike.

Day 4: Take it to the Slopes
With two mountain resorts just over a one-hour drive away from the Shuswap, adventure-seekers can extend the trip by a day or two to visit Revelstoke or Silver Star. Revelstoke’s towering peaks invite big mountain skiing, backcountry tours, and jaw-dropping summer hiking and biking. Silver Star, a colourful mid-mountain village in North Okanagan, has Canada’s largest groomed cross-country ski trail network and powder-filled runs through the gentle glades and steep terrain. Both communities have a range of eateries and restaurants focused on BC wines and local ingredients.

Where to Dine:
Being surrounded by bounty in all directions has its perks. The Shuswap region is a bastion of fresh fruits and vegetables, artisan cheese and locally made goods available at markets and farm stalls throughout the region. Source local delights for an al fresco picnic, or stop by eateries, bakeries and restaurants for a taste of the region. During the winter months, the Shuswap Hot Chocolate Trail is a must for sweet treats at cozy cafes.

In addition to the fine dining at Celista and several local hotels, be sure to check out Timber Shuswap, a celebration of regional food, harvested from the fields and ranches in the area. Their rotating seasonal menu evokes a passion for place on a plate.

Where to Stay:
With many small communities dotting the shores of Shuswap Lake, accommodations offer lake views and access to serene forest trails. Nestled on the shores of Little Shuswap Lake on the lower west side of the larger lake, Quaaout Lodge near Chase is a First Nations-owned spa and golf resort that invites quiet luxury and meaningful cultural connections with the Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw (Little Shuswap Lake Band). Their restaurant services up a Shuswap-inspired menu with ingredients sourced from local suppliers.

With its central location, Salmon Arm makes for a convenient hub to explore the whole area. Book a comfortable stay at the Hilltop Inn (which boasts a gorgeous outdoor pool and bistro), or rest your head in the tranquil Prestige Harbourfront Resort in Salmon Arm. The Prestige is home to the newly renovated Nineteen05 Kitchen & Raw Bar, serving up BC fare and a great local wine selection. Meanwhile, the quaint off-grid cabins at Tin Poppy are a peaceful escape, surrounded by 50 kilometres of trails and within a short drive of Larch Hills Winery.

Getting Here:
There are several Rainforest to Rockies routes from Vancouver that bring you to the Shuswap wine region. The Trans Canada Highway 1 is a more direct route that travels through the Thompson Valley (a perfect place to stop and sample the Kamloops Wine Trail). On the other hand, Highway 97 and branching 97A are more scenic and travel through agricultural land in the heart of Okanagan Valley wine country and farmland.