Winter in BC wine country combines cozy seasonal experiences with intimate tastings and wine pairings. Explore the Fraser Valley, Okanagan Valley, and Vancouver Island wine regions when there are fewer visitors and you’ll be rewarded with special events, chef-prepared tastings with wine pairings, and more one-on-one time with the winemakers.

Savour these staycations in small sips, with a long weekend here and there throughout the winter. Everyone deserves a little break (and great BC wine).

1. Fraser Valley: Wine Tasting in the Countryside, Near Vancouver

Plan a winter staycation in the Fraser Valley Wine Region, the beloved breadbasket of Metro Vancouver that boasts 25 grape wineries. Wind through country roads, passing market stalls and farmers’ fields while taking in gorgeous mountain views. An added bonus? The Fraser Valley typically receives 30% less rain than the city.

A Taste of Richmond

Richmond is your first stop, where Country Vines Winery in Steveston offers an intimate experience in their charming tasting room. The family-run winery produces small-batch wines using Okanagan grapes, with varietals that run the gamut from whites and reds to sparkling Rosé. Take a tour of the vineyard and sign up for the Barrel Room Experience to dive deeper into the winemaking process and Richmond’s agricultural heritage. They partner with food trucks throughout the year and their sister restaurant, Country Meadows Golf Course and Restaurant, is just down the road.

Country-style Sips in Langley

Journey for 40 minutes to the Langley area, where three wineries await. Township 7 Vineyards and Winery produces a range of small lot wines. Reserve a tasting of their finest, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the distinguished Seven Stars sparkling wines series that won the Best Canadian Sparkling Wine at the prestigious Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2019.

Just four minutes away, you’ll find Chaberton Estate Winery, the oldest winery in the Fraser Valley. The estate has an award-winning portfolio of 20+ varietals, including their Cabernet Franc and La Fleur de Chaberton. Stay for tastings and continue on to their Bacchus Bistro for a meal. If you visit around the Christmas holidays, keep your eye on their events calendar for holiday light-ups, mulled wine and special treats.

Travel to Backyard Vineyards, which produces traditional varietals, blended wines, and bubbles. Visit their modern and comfortable tasting room or book the Sparkling Tour and Tasting, which includes a bottle of wine and a charcuterie platter. Make your way to your accommodation in Langley Township and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Enjoy a leisurely morning and stroll the streets of Langley. As you leave town, swing by Singletree Winery in Abbotsford’s Mt. Lehman area, a family-run winery that is deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of this area. Their winery creates unique and cozy spaces for wine tasting, including wine cabanas and geodesic domes. Winter is perfect for their S’more and Pour experience, which includes wine and gourmet s’mores over a fire pit. Event calendar highlights include long-table dinners, live music and other seasonal celebrations.

Explore the Fraser Valley Wine Region in more detail with this kid-friendly wine tasting itinerary.

Where To Dine:

In the Fraser Valley, Bacchus Bistro at Chaberton Estate Winery has been rated by the Vancouver Sun as one of the Top 3 Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in Vancouver. They serve up an authentic French-inspired menu with ingredients sourced from Pacific Ocean docks and farmers’ fields.

Where To Stay:

The historic Langley Township in the Fraser Valley, makes for a charming overnight stay. Book a night at the Princess and the Pea Hotel, a country-style guesthouse from the late 1800s.

Getting Here:

The Fraser Valley is located about an hour’s drive from Vancouver along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), an iconic route called Rainforest to Rockies.

2. Okanagan Valley: Sun-kissed and Fancy Free

Onwards to Oliver, located in the Valleys & Vineyards of British Columbia, where you’ll reach the District Wine Village. Set up as in market stall style, the open-air village is bustling with stalls, including eight wineries, plus food, coffee, a bakery, breweries, and a distillery. In the winter, District Wine Village offers ice skating (conditions dependent) and a host of pop-up events, from movie nights and holiday light-ups, to craft workshops and live music. This is a convenient place to try some of the Okanagan’s little gems like Apricus Cellars, Foolish Wine, Gneiss Wines, and Tender Hope Winery.

Breathtaking Black Sage Bench

After sips and activities, head south to Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, your homebase for winter wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley. The sprawling estate is designed like a desert villa, set against the backdrop of the Black Sage Bench. Family-owned since 1993, the winery has dozens of awards under its belt, including Double Gold and two judges selections at the Global Fine Wine Challenge in August 2025. Their impressive portfolio includes 15 varietals, with the Athene, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Chardonnay consistently receiving recognition. At Burrowing Owl, you’ll find everything you need for a comfortable and indulgent stay, from dining and accommodation. 

Wake up to a crisp morning in the South Okanagan, looking out over rolling vineyards and towering cliff faces. Venture into the town of Oliver for breakfast before heading to neighbouring Osoyoos.

Savour the Golden Mile

Your first wine tasting stop is Gold Hill Winery, which produces premium small-lot red wines. The winery, perched on the aptly named Golden Mile Bench, is run by the Gill Family, whose heritage dates back to Northwest India in an area with 8,000 years of agricultural history. Gold Hill focuses on Bordeaux varietals with Cabernet Franc as the flagship. Visit for a tasting or stay a little longer in the Charisma lounge.

Overlooking Osoyoos Lake, the story of Mythology Vineyard is woven from ancient Greek legends. Owner Teresa Centanni, who originally hails from Italy, has brought European refinement and winemaking practices to the distinct terroir of the South Okanagan. Reserve ahead to enjoy a flight in their cozy tasting room and pick up specialty products and hand-crafted gifts in their shop. Pour the tempest in a glass.

If you’re visiting Oliver and Osoyoos in November or December, be sure to check out the Winter in Wine Country series on select weekends. Expect unique wine pairings like a cookie flight or gourmet butters, as well as holiday crafting, markets, and music. Outside of wine tasting, winter activities in the area include hiking, Nordic skiing at McKinney Nordic Ski Club, snowboarding or skiing at Baldy Mountain Resort, and visiting Alpacas at Sunkeya Alpaca Farm (be sure to book an appointment in advance).

Take the Similkameen Valley Scenic Route Home

Enjoy a leisurely day of driving from the South Okanagan to Vancouver, which takes about 4.5 hours. Follow the contours of the US-Canada border via Highway 3 through the Similkameen Valley Wine Region, a hidden gem with several artisan wineries on the outskirts of Cawston and Keremeos. During the winter, these wineries are by appointment only, so do your research and book ahead.

Where To Dine:

The District Wine Village is a perfect place to stop for lunch and fireside sips. Ward’s Wine Country Kitchen is a fully licensed and full-service restaurant that blends refined fine-dining technique with bold seasonal storytelling. Enjoy local ingredients and BC wines before heading on to your next wine tasting destination.

Where To Stay:

Meanwhile, Burrowing Owl Guest House in the Okanagan Valley makes for the perfect perch for a winter staycation. The property features 10 rooms and a well-appointed penthouse for a total of 26 guests. Amenities include a solar heated swimming pool and all-season hot tub, the Fireside lounge, and the on-site restaurant.

Getting Here:

Drive the Trans-Canada Highway 1 to the Okanagan Valley in Valleys & Vineyards, travelling along Highways 5 and 97. Take the scenic route back to the Vancouver area via Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) and stop in the Similkameen Valley Wine Region for more sips. You can also get to the Okanagan by flying into Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and renting a car.

3. Vancouver Island: Nourish Your Spirit by the Sea

Plan an escape to the Vancouver Island Wine Region, where maritime Mediterranean climate influences delicate red, white, Rosé, and sparkling wines.

Swirl a Glass in Saanich

Church and State Wine, as Vancouver Island’s largest winery, is located on a sprawling property in Brentwood Bay area, on the Saanich Peninsula just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. Though their portfolio includes white, sparkling, and Rosé, the winery is best known for its reds and has been named producer of Canada’s Best Red Wine seven times since 2009. Visit the tasting bar, a sleek space with a heated veranda for year-round sips. Check their events calendar for seasonal brunches and holiday dinners. They are closed for an extended period in December, so check hours of operation ahead of time.

Wine Down in the Cowichan Valley

Just 45 minutes outside of Victoria, Cowichan Valley is the heartbeat of winemaking in the region and it’s own distinct wine region, known for citrusy, floral whites and soft-structured red wines. 

Visit Unsworth Vineyards for a scenic tasting (the wine and cheese pairing is a must). Vineyard and estate tours showcase sustainable winemaking practices and bring you closer to the terroir. Stay a little longer to enjoy farm-to-table fare at their restaurant. 

Just 20 minutes away, Blue Grouse Estate Vineyard & Winery is an elegant property with sweeping views of the Cowichan Valley. Their cool climate portfolio includes varietals like Pinot Gris and award-winning Pinot Noir. Pre-book your visit to their barrel-inspired tasting room and order a seasonal wine and cheese flight or go deeper on a full tour of the vineyard and cellar.

Winter in the Cowichan Valley is often mild, so you’ll have your pick of outdoor activities from forest bathing to water activities. Setri Nordic Spa in Cobble Hill is a great option for those in search of rest and rejuvenation. In Duncan, you can stroll heritage streets, experience small-town holiday traditions, and view 40 hand-carved totem poles.

Seasonal Sips in the Comox Valley

Drive northward along the eastern flanks of Vancouver Island toward the Comox Valley, with ocean views on your right and fertile farmland on your left. You’ll find 40 Knots Winery in Comox, a nautical-themed winery and cidery shaped by coastal climate and sustainable practices. The property is rustic chic, with fairy lights and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the country views. 40 Knots offers a variety of tastings, from “Quick and Knotty” to a more immersive exploration of their wine cellar where you can be the first to sip an unreleased vintage.

The Comox Valley is a hub for activities on land and sea. Go mountain biking in nearby Cumberland year-round, visit Mount Washington Alpine Resort for skiing, or stroll along the beach at Goose Spit Park. Marine life viewing and scuba diving are also popular wintertime activities.

Stay overnight in the area before making your journey back to Vancouver via Nanaimo the next morning.

Experience the Vancouver Island Wine Region in more detail with this coastal calmcation itinerary and a suggested travel route that brings you to the Gulf Islands.

Where to Dine:

On Vancouver Island, The Arbutus Room at Brentwood Bay Resort served refined West Coast cuisine that showcase sustainable ingredients, thoughtfully paired with award-winning BC wines. Meanwhile, The Bistro at Church and State in Victoria is the perfect spot for comforting favourites and ingredient-driven dishes, to complement their wine.

Where to Stay:

On Vancouver Island, Villa Eyrie Resort is a four-star boutique mountaintop hotel that rests atop the Malahat Summit. The hotel is considered a foodie destination and their on-site restaurant, Alpina, serves a great selection of BC wine and locally sourced ingredients. Closer to the Comox Valley, Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa is a breezy oceanfront accommodation less than 30 minutes from local wineries.

Getting Here:

There are several ways to get to Vancouver Island, the starting point of The Infinite Coast of British Columbia, which stretches along the entire Pacific shoreline. Drive your own car and take BC Ferries across to Victoria’s Swartz Bay terminal or Nanaimo’s Departure Bay terminal. Alternatively, you can hop on a floatplane to Victoria or Nanaimo, then rent a car to road trip around the Island.