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Summerland Valleys WIne Country
Summerland Valleys Wine region
High-elevation vineyards and characterful wines meet a creative, small-town spirit rooted in heritage and hospitality.
From farm markets to fruit stands, Summerland captures the essence of the season for which it’s named. Yet this south Okanagan gem offers adventures year-round. Located just 20 minutes north of Penticton, Summerland boasts a rich heritage and a vibrant creative community.
Home to some of the region’s most storied vineyards—including the highest elevation planting in the Okanagan Valley—the Summerland Valleys sub-region invites you to sip your way through wine tours or celebrate at its signature wine festival in May. Be sure to take the self-guided tour of Bottleneck Drive wine route, where you can sample vintages from award-winning wineries and discover other points of interest. Meanwhile, the town and surrounding area is a haven for culture-seekers, with art walks, train rides, local events, and museums, all nestled under the watchful eye of the extinct volcano, Giant’s Head Mountain.
Cool and Elevated
Summerland Valleys is made up of two smaller valleys: Prairie and Garnet. With undulating terrain and high-altitude vineyards, the area is home to a range of microclimates that influence grape-growing and impart distinct characteristics to each wine. Summers are typically hot and dry, but evening temperatures cool down thanks to breezes drifting off Okanagan Lake. Winters can be frigid, yet precipitation remains low due to the rain shadow cast by the local Giant’s Head Mountain, as well as the Cascade Mountains to the west.
Shaped by Glaciers
Though the sub-region is small, its soil is surprisingly diverse, with more than 10 distinct compositions found throughout the area. Like much of British Columbia’s terrain, the retreat of ancient glaciers has shaped Summerland Valleys in dramatic ways. Some vineyard pockets feature wind-blown fine sands over glacial till, while others contain gravel or sandy deposits from ancient meltwater streams. This geological variety lends itself to complex, expressive wines that share the story of the land.
OKANAGAN VALLEY
WINERIES
Exploring British Columbia’s vineyards reveals the unique terroir & diverse varietals flourishing in this picturesque Canadian province.
Central Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
Central Okanagan Valley
North Okanagan Valley
South Okanagan Valley
EXPLORE
MORE BC WINE REGIONS
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10,920
Acres Planted
210
Licensed Grape Wineries
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Kootenays
117
Acres Planted
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Licensed Grape Wineries
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107
Acres Planted
6
Licensed Grape Wineries
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Thompson Valley
93
Acres Planted
3
Licensed Grape Wineries
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The Similkameen Valley
768
Acres Planted
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Licensed Grape Wineries
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Fraser Valley
194
Acres Planted
28
Licensed Grape Wineries
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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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