Shimmering lakes aplenty. Rolling benchlands blanketed with sagebrush and Ponderosa pines. Valleys brimming with farms, fields and vineyards. An expansive trail network with endless fun for wanderers and wheelers alike. These are the hallmarks of North Okanagan, a place where the bounty of the land is shared and celebrated. Set on the homelands of the syilx Okanagan peoples, the Okanagan Valley’s northernmost sub-wine region is home to a creative and diverse community. 

Here, in the iconic Valleys & Vineyards area, the pace slows and life revolves around meaningful connection to food, wine and place. Savour the flavours of North Okanagan. Sip distinctive, sun-kissed varietals and immerse yourself in a region where nature, culture, and community converge in every glass.

Photo: Ex Nihilo Vineyards

Day 1: Lake Country Dips & Sips 

Start at the north end of the region with a ride along the Okanagan Rail Trail, a refurbished rail line that has been turned into an accessible walking and biking route linking Coldstream and Lake Country. The trail skirts Kalamalka Lake, known as “the lake of a thousand colours” for its shifting shades of greens and blues. Along the way you can learn about First Nations culture at striking viewpoints and cool off in the lake. Tip: rent an e-bike to make the full round trip a breeze. 

By late morning, you’ll be off to explore the wineries in Lake Country, highlighted in the Scenic Sips Wine Trail. Begin with 50th Parallel Winery tasting room, housed in a commanding building with wall-to-wall windows and a dramatic black granite and knotty alder barnboard bar. Tasting experiences include a cheese pairing, Grape to Glass Tour and the Granite Tour, which brings you through their state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and ends in a wine cave with a charcuterie pairing. BLOCK ONE Restaurant showcases the wines alongside delicacies cooked in a Woodstone oven. 

Just 10 minutes away, the tasting room and Garden Bistro at Peak Cellars are serene settings to sample cool climate varietals. Elevate your experience with the Premium Seated Tasting, an exclusive session with a wine educator in the pergola overlooking the lake and vineyard. Their programming includes summer music and an Oktoberfest event in the fall.

Next up, visit Ex Nihilo Vineyards, an idyllic vineyard with stunning views to accompany award-winning wines. The Latin name, which translates to “Out of Nothing,” reflects a dream built from the ground up. Book the seated Memor Vivo Tasting Experience, optionally elevated with small plates. Or, pair your tasting with a Chef’s selection of cheeses for a decadent journey of texture and balance. The CHAOS Bistro showcases Okanagan cuisine and its perfect pairings. Keep your eyes open for special events—they have hosted the likes of Tom Cochrane in the past.

Wrap up a day of wine tasting at Gray Monk Estate Winery, a pioneer in cool-climate grapes since 1972 and an originator of Pinot Gris in the area. Their restaurant, The Lookout, serves up timeless classics and vibrant, contemporary fare. Try their Tasting Trio of gourmet canapés paired with three full-bodied wines and introduced by a wine educator. The winery is also a hub for lively gatherings throughout the year, including a book club and pop-up events that celebrate their varietals and showcase local flavours.

Day 2: Food & Fun in the Trails Capital of BC

North Okanagan touches the edges of the Monashee Mountains, making it the perfect place for gravity-fuelled pursuits. With an expansive network of hiking and biking trails, Greater Vernon has earned its moniker of Trails Capital of BC. Just 20 minutes from Vernon, the colourful Silver Star Village is tucked at mid-mountain elevations, inviting powder-filled ski days in winter, and a lift-accessed bike park come summer. The area is home to Canada’s longest groomed cross-country trail system. 

After a day of play, make your way to Predator Ridge in Vernon, where you can stay and dine at RANGE Restaurant, Bar + Patio, with bold cuisine, seasonal plates and Okanagan wine on the menu. Neighbouring Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa, which looks down upon Okanagan Lake, is a showstopper with Swarovski Crystal adornments, luxe spa treatments and PeakFine Restaurant, where farm-fresh fare is paired with the best of BC wine.  

Photo: Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Day 3: Railway Trestles & Okanagan Wine

Just 45 minutes south of Vernon lies Kelowna, a bustling lakefront city with restaurants, urban amenities and prime access to nature activities. Cycle the jaw-dropping Myra Canyon, a signature leg of the Kettle Valley Railway that passes over 18 trestle bridges and through two tunnels. Next, take a journey through the Snewips Heritage Museum to hear First Nations stories and view important exhibits that highlight heritage, artwork and language.

Spend the afternoon in the wineries on the eastern benches of Okanagan Lake. First up is the showstopping Summerhill Pyramid Winery, which blends ancient technologies with innovative New World winemaking. Here, a commanding four-story precision pyramid, inspired by the Great Pyramids in Egypt, is the centrepiece for winemaking. With a focus on sustainability, the winery blends sacred geometry with science and experimentation to produce biodynamic wines that consistently win gold medals. Tour the vineyard and pyramid and taste their hallmark sparkling wines (you can even learn to sabre a bottle). Sparkling Hill also hosts meditations, drum circles, and other unique events that bring the community together. 

Next, head over to Nagging Doubt Winery, a family-run winery that produces small batch wines and describes itself as “small but mighty.” Despite their small size, their bold varietals include Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir and effervescent Rosé. Visit the boutique winery for a rustic tasting and meet the winemakers. While you’re there, say hello to their resident pups, Clover and Pinto.

Martin’s Lane Winery, with a vision to be the “most radical pinot noir winery,” meticulously runs a six-level gravity flow winemaking operation. While they are not open for drop-in visitors, contact them via their website to book an exclusive tasting experience at their ultra-modern winery. The experience includes discovering their winemaking process and tasting a flight of limited-release Pinot Noirs and Rieslings.

Photo: Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery

Day 4: A Taste of the Westside Wine Trail

On your final day, settle in for a full day of wine tasting along the Westside Wine Trail in West Kelowna. Tender Hope Winery is a small-lot winery that produces a range of varietals, from Roussane to Rosé. Swing by their airy and bright tasting room for tastings in a friendly atmosphere.

Closer to the lakeshore, Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery is a powerhouse of winemaking and  culinary excellence, known for their fresh take on classics like Chardonnay and Syrah and innovative signature blends, Summit and Contessa. Sip and swirl their latest releases inside the elegant tasting room or on the patio and winery lawn. A visit in spring might include a fun and artsy workshop. Year-round, the Modest Butcher restaurant delivers fine dining flavours in a casual setting, all served with tongue-in-cheek wit. 

Rebellious and artsy The Hatch Winery is a must-visit destination on the Westside Wine Trail where you can immerse yourself in art, wine and whimsy. Enjoy a standard tasting flight in the eclectic character-filled space they affectionately call the “shack from the future,” or amp up the energy and learn to sabre a bottle of bubbles. Their events calendar includes legendary parties and happy hours. Here, every wine tells a story, and you’ll certainly create your own with a visit to this quirky space. 

Ranked Canada’s Winery of the Year for consecutive years, Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, is situated on an alluring vineyard looking out over Okanagan Lake. Stroll the grounds and take in the impressive monastic-influenced architecture, designed by Tom Kundig, which features hand-chiseled stone arches and a bell tower. Next, it’s time for the tasting. Grapes are collected across five distinct sub-regions to reflect the diverse terroir of the Okanagan Valley. Get a glimpse of Mission Hill’s winemaking process with an immersive tour, or indulge in an open air pairing menu at The Restaurant’s terrace.

On the upper benches of West Kelowna lies Kalala Organic Estate Winery, a name that translates to “Miracle Place.” The family-run winery offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, where you can sample their wide selection of reds, whites, Rosé and Icewine.

Sign off the day with a theatrical tasting at Crown & Thieves, a fanciful winery inspired by royalty and scoundrels alike. The eye-catching centrepiece of the grounds is The Ruin, designed to look like a crumbling building. Tastings are offered inside the visually arresting space, a creative inspiration that lands somewhere between a Renaissance painting and a mad scientist’s laboratory. During the summer season, their rooftop Angel Share Restaurant serves innovative tasting plates and two-course paired dinners.  

Photo: Peak Cellars

Where to Stay:
From mountainside properties to glamping and lakeview retreats, North Okanagan offers a range of unique accommodations where you can rest your head and fill your cup. While you’re in BC’s largest wine region, embrace the one-of-a-kind experience to wake up in a winery. 

In Lake Country, Peak Cellars offers three accommodation options: a gorgeous luxury Log Home, a cozy Cottage in the Vines, and hotel-style Gatehouse Suites. Winery stays here feature welcome wine, panoramic vistas, and access to Okanagan Lake, as well as specialty treats like charcuterie boards and gourmet coffee.

In West Kelowna, The Lake House at Quails’ Gate Winery is the perfect perch to wine, dine and rejuvenate, all while gazing at breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake. Their concierge service will set you up with shuttle services, private tours, water toys, and special tastings. 

Also on the Westside, Niche Wine Co. runs The Outside Inn. These breezy cabins boast floor-to-ceiling windows that frame valley views and the lush vineyard. Play a game of bocce on the lawn, stroll through the vines and raise a glass at sunset in a laid-back setting.

Getting Here:
The communities of Kelowna and Vernon are the largest hubs in the North Okanagan wine region. Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has inbound flights from many destinations. From there, rent a car to road trip through the region. If you are driving your own vehicle, there are several routes into Kelowna and Vernon from major centres like Vancouver and Calgary, including the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), Highway 3, and Highway 97. Taking the scenic Highway 3? Don’t miss a detour into the Similkameen Valley for even more unforgettable wine experiences.