Discover
Lake Country Wine Country
Lake Country Wine region
This northernmost sub-region of the Okanagan Valley offers a bounty of place-driven wines and lakefront adventures.
True to its aquatic name, this sub-region of the Okanagan Valley is surrounded by sparkling lakes. The west-facing slopes and benches perched between Kalamalka and Wood Lakes, along with the commanding Okanagan Lake, are lined with lush orchards and vineyards that soak up the afternoon sun.
Explore Lake Country via the Scenic Sip Wine Trail, a self-guided tasting journey through a cluster of boutique wineries with spectacular lake views. Located between Vernon and Kelowna, Lake Country offers a wealth of things to do beyond wine tasting. In the summer months, life revolves around the lake. Boating, paddleboarding, swimming, and picnicking are favourite pastimes when the heat is on. Open-air events and artisanal fare are also part of the seasonal charm. In winter, skiing and cold-weather adventures take the spotlight. The nearby Okanagan Rail Trail stretches between the two communities, offering picture-perfect lookouts and wildlife viewing along the way.
Lake Breezes, Cooler Climate
Officially designated in 2022, Lake Country is the northernmost grape-growing area in the Okanagan Valley. Vineyards line the slopes overlooking the lake, where gentle breezes temper even the hottest summer days. The air currents contribute to a longer growing season. With slightly more precipitation than some of the drier regions to the south, Lake Country supports wines as vibrant as its lakeside character.
Pre-Glacial Soils
Lake Country’s restrained, nuanced wines reflect a strong sense of place, thanks to shallow plantings and diverse soil composition. Pre-glacial soils are unique to this area, mixed with lake bottom deposits at lower elevations and gravel or sandy till at higher elevation. Excellent drainage encourages balanced vine growth and enhances fruit concentration.
OKANAGAN VALLEY
WINERIES
Exploring British Columbia’s vineyards reveals the unique terroir & diverse varietals flourishing in this picturesque Canadian province.
Central Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
North Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
North Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
South 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.
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