British Columbia's Okanagan Valley Wineries


Hester Creek Winery in the Okanagan's Golden Mile

 

This page was changed in May of 2010 into the following regions

Osoyoos Lake Bench ~ The Golden Mile ~ Black Sage Road ~ Okanagan Falls ~ Skaha Lake ~ Naramata Bench

Summerland and Peachland ~ Mount Boucherie ~ Kelowna and Lake Country~Northern ~ Simillkameen Valley ~ Kootenays


Behold the Valley of Orchards home of the Okanagan wines. The Okanagan Valley is known around the world for its scenic beauty and fruit orchards. It is now becoming known for its vineyards. As you travel through the Thompson Okanagan, you will uncover some of the province's best wineries. Ensconced in the region's most spectacular scenery, the estate, farm, and major wineries are as diverse as the wines they produce. Often enveloped by lush vineyards, each has its own unique character whether set in an enchanting stone house or a 120 year old log home.


The valley begins in the south near the US/Canadian border with the Town of Osoyoos. Here is one of North America's most fragile and endangered ecosystems, it is Canada's only true desert. The area hosts one of the largest concentrations of species at risk (over 100 rare plants and over 300 rare invertebrates) in Canada, and is of international importance. Our desert is actually part of the Great-Basin Desert. The Okanagan Valley climatic region is much dryer than Niagara and unique as a grape growing region in western Canada. The valley is at the same latitude as the Rhine Valley in Germany and the Champagne region of France.

After you pass through the arid Osoyoos and Oliver regions and head north up the valley, you will encounter orchards and vineyards, evidence of some of the best fruit- and vegetable-growing land in the world. Just north of Oliver, the wine capital of Canada, is Okanagan Falls, a rural community located on the shores of beautiful Skaha Lake. To the North end of the Lake
lies Penticton also located on the Southern Shores of the Okanagan Lake. The lake is 135 km long.

The Naramata Bench extends from Penticton running along the lakes eastern slopes. The western bank
all the way to Kelowna and beyond is covered with vineyards and wineries. This stretch includes Peachland and Summerland.
Wines of Canada includes the wineries located between Vernon located 29 miles (46 km) north of Kelowna and Salmon Arm 66 miles (106 Km) where three wineries are located.

Salmon Arm is located in the majestic Shuswap region in northern Okanagan. Found along the southern shores of Shuswap Lake, Salmon Arm is the largest city in the area. There are 145 miles(234 km)of orchards, vineyards and magnificent scenery between Osoyoos and Salmon Arm.

I have divided the Okanagan into North and South. North includes Salmon Arm to Penticton. Naramata Bench wineries have their own page. South refers to the area south of Penticton all the way to US border. It includes Oliver and Osoyoos area wineries. Additional information

OKanagan Valley North Wineries A-K


Adora Estate Winery

6807 Highway 97
Summerland, BC
V0H 1Z9


Adora sits on a small piece of land between the highway 97 and the lake.
You can glimpse the winery as you come down the hill towards Penticton.

The winery opened in 2002 and is owned in partnership by Reid Jenkins,
Kevin Golka and winemaker/consultant Eric Von Krosigk.

Their wines are known for their bold and robust flavours. Their signature wines
Decorus and Maximus bear latin names but the vintage is written in Roman Numerals.

According to Winery owner Reid Jenkins: "We like to buck the trend."

Winemaker: Eric Von Krosigk
Philosophy: Make intense wines, blended to put the spice points in and mature slowly.



Ancient hills

4918 Anderson Road,
Kelowna BC V1X 7V7


Located on a hillside east of Kelowna International Airport. Ancient Hills is owned by Richard and Jitske Kamphuys.
The adventure began in 2005 as they cleared the land and planted r several years with 27,000 vines (Baco Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Lemberger, Zweigelt and Pinot Noir). The first crush in 2009 was done in an attractive new winery, designed by architect Robert Mackenzie

Winemaker:
Philosophy:


Andrés Wines Ltd

1125 Richter Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K6


Founded in 1961, Andrés has rapidly grown to become Canada's leading vintner, owning wineries in almost every
province across Canada. A familiar name in BC, Andrés Wines is located in Port Moody. Its premium varietals are
bottled under the Peller Estates and Bighorn labels.

With a dream of owning his own establishment the European-born winemaker, Andre Peller opened his first winery
in Port Moody, BC in 1961. Andre Wines has since gone on to open seven wineries across Canada. Known as one of
the Canada's most successful wineries, they produce quality wines such as Bighorn Vineyards and Peller Estates.
Phil Soo is the Winemaker

The Company's award-winning premium Peller Estates and Hillebrand Estates brands compliment its popular-priced
brands including Hochtaler, Domain D'Or, Franciscan and Similkameen. With a focus on serving the needs of all wine
consumers, the Company also produces and markets wine kit products from Brew King and Vineco International.

Philosophy:
Combining our knowledge of grape varieties, climate, soil and winemaking techniques, we strive to produce the highest
quality wines, true to varietal character. Following the philosophy of our founder, Andrew Peller, Peller Estates is committed
to meeting the needs of the wine consumer with our quality wines.

Andrés Wines Ltd.
697 South Service Rd.
Grimsby, ON L3M 4E8
Tel: 1-905-643-4131
Fax: 1-905-643-4944

Andrés Wines Atlantic Ltd.
491 Willow St.
Truro, NS B2N 6T3
Tel: 1-902-895-2874
Fax: 1-902-893-4976

Andrés Wines Alberta Ltd.
7530 Blackfoot Trail SE
Calgary, AB T2H 1M5
Tel: 1-403-252-5511
Fax: 1-403-253-5759

 


Aquaherb Winery House

#26–2550 Acland Road
Kelowna, BC V1X 7L4



NA


Specializing in the production of wines made from, or with, herbs such as Ginseng, Echinacea, Eldelberry, Rosehip
and Seabuckthorn, and other herbs. The winery is owned by Stan Masciaszek





Arrowleaf Cellars

1574 Camp Road
Lake Country, BC V4V 1K1



Arrowleaf Cellars is a family-owned winery established by Joe and Margrit Zuppiger along
with son Manuel Zuppiger.

Located north of Kelowna on the 50th parallel, overlooking Lake Okanagan. Lake Okanagan
is at its deepest here, dropping 240 metres (800 ft) to the bottom. The moderating effects of this
significant body of water allow the vineyard to ripen varieties such as Pinot Gris and Merlot on
the northern most reaches of grape production.

Arrowleaf Cellars derives its name from the Arrowleaf Balsamroot plants which dot the hillsides
of the Okanagan.

Winemaker: Manuel Zuppiger
Philosophy: Clean crisp cool climate wines



Beaumont Family Estate

2775 Boucherie Road
West Kelowna, BC V1X7R8


Located in Westbank's Lakeside neighbourhood (near Quails' Gate and Mission Hill). The owners are former Albertans
Alex and Louise Lubchynski. In 1995, five years after moving to the Okanagan, they acquired a Lakeside cherry orchard
and converted it to an organic vineyard. In 1999 they received their Similkameen Okanagan Organic Certification. They
obtained a winery licence in 2006 Today they have 46,00 plants including Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Gewürztraminer Pinot
Gris and Pinot Blanc. Their daughter Alana is the winemaker.

The winery's labels each include a musical staff, along with a musical reference on the back labels.There is a musical
history with the family. Alex was in a band singing and playing guitar.

Winemaker: Alana Beaumont



Bounty Cellars

#7-364 Lougheed Road
Kelowna, BC V1X 7R8


Located in Kelowna, the heart of the Okanagan Valley and British Columbia's Wine Capital, Bounty Cellars Winery is a
négociant or ‘wine merchant' style winery producing only high quality wines from within the British Columbia and Pacific
Northwest growing regions. The winery's name is inspired by British Columbia's bountiful Okanagan valley.

Bounty Cellars was incorporated in March 2004 with its first bottling in May 2005. The winery was created under the
expertise of Ron Pennington and Wade Rains, with the goal of 'thinking outside of the barrel.'

Fine wine is just one of aspects of Bounty Cellars, which also specializes in creating premium custom labels for a variety
of clientèle. The possibilities are endless for uses of a great wine with customized labels. Another unique feature of the
winery is its ability to custom blend wines under the guidance of senior winemaker Alan Marks.

Signature wines are Similkameen Chardonnay, Osoyoos Lake Merlot, a red Meritage and Equinox a Alsatian style
white blend.

Winemaker: Todd Moore

Philosophy: Quality wine with balanced approachable style; wine to be enjoyed by everyone...share the wealth of wine!



Calona Vineyard

1125 Richter Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K6

logo

Calona Vineyards has the distinction of being British Columbia's original winery; operating in BC since 1932 The winery is located in the heart of Kelowna. Today they crush approximately 1500 tonnes of BC grapes annually.
Calona Vineyard Artist Series feature labels created by BC artists.

In the summer of 2005 Andrés Wine Ltd purchased Calona Winery along with Sandhill Winery

Winemaker: Katie Dickieson



Camelot Vineyards Ltd.

3489 East Kelowna Road
Kelowna, BC



The winery is owned by Rob Young and Denise Brass, two Air Canada flight attendants who have lived on an East
Kelowna apple orchard for several years. Two years ago, they replaced the trees with vines and built a winery.

Winemaker: Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble




CedarCreek Estate Winery

5445 Lakeshore Road
Kelowna, BC V1W 4S5



A family owned winery operating on the hills above Lake Okanagan in Kelowna. The Fitzpatrick family, who founded
CedarCreek in 1986, has committed the winery to respecting the land in its viticulture practices; to honouring the rich
agricultural tradition of their family rooted in the Okanagan; and to pursuing perfection in the bottle. The family has
been residing in the Okanagan since 1913

The winery now produces over 40,000 cases of premium wines each year and is considered one the elite producers
in Canada. It was named Canada's winery of the year at the 2002, 2005 and second overall for 2008 in theCanadian Wine Awards competition. Product exceeds 30,000 cases.

Greata Ranch, the second vineyard is located between Peachland and Summerland. This historic orchard was settled in 1896 and was purchased by Senator Fitzpatrick in 1994 based on his boyhood memories of tasting sweet peaches from the property. CedarCreek restored its former agricultural splendor by planting 40 acres of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Merlot.

CedarCreek is a destination winery that draws thousands of visitors each summer. CedarCreek excels in providing the most intimate of wine-country experiences. Its hospitality ranges from tours and tastings, fine dining to musical entertainment. The Vineyard Terrace is a seasonal restaurant (open mid June to mid September) with an elegantly casual ambiance and postcard view of the vineyards. Its annual Sunset Concert series features artists from around the world providing guests with magical evenings of wine, food and music while the sun rests gently on Okanagan Lake

Winemaker:
Philosophy: The secret to making great wine is passion and paying attention to the details - it is all the little things that add up to something special in the bottle





Dirty Laundry

7311 Fiske Street
RR #2, S68, C13
Summerland BC V0H 1Z0



Scherzinger Vineyards was originally bought by Edgar and Elizabeth Scherzingeras a cherry orchard. The orchard
was removed and in its place Gewürztraminer was planted in 1978, then eventually Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For
the next seventeen years Edgar sold the fruit to Sumac Ridge, when happily, in 1995 he began producing his own wine.

Today the Scherzinger Vineyards is owned and operated by Ron and Cher Watkins, who purchased the winery May 2001.
They changed the name to Dirty Laundry in 2005

Sprawled upon a hilltop overlooking rolling orchards below, in an exclusive area of Summerland known as Paradise Flats,
the grape vines grow as they should; with their feet dry and their faces looking south-east towards the water of Okanagan
Lake. Enjoy this same incredible view from the patio, where visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic basket lunch and
be served their favorite Scherzinger wines on the patio.

Visiting Scherzinger is like going back to the old country. It's unpretentious surroundings and the gracious yet casual style of
Ron and Cher Watkins is the hallmark of any European cottage winery. They take pride in the wines they produce and
welcome visitors from all over the world to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

The Kettle Valley Steam Train passes along the vineyard – great view of it can be seen from the patio

Winemaker: Ron Watkins and Gary Strachan (wine consultant)
Philosophy: Quality in wines using " No herbicides, every effort not to spray pesticides." Let the grape stay on the vine longer,
to produce its own sweetness.



East Kelowna Cider Company

Box 28038
Kelowna, BC V1W 4A6


 

Owned by David and Theressa Ross, who wine author John Schreiner
describes as two very hard working individuals. They operate a 3.6 hectare apple orchard on
Kelowna's east side. They petitioned the government to acknowledge Hard Apple Cider made
from desert apples and won




Ex Nihilo Vineyards Inc.


1525 Camp Rd
Lake Country, BC V4V 1K1




A ten acre property located on the southwestern facing slope that overlooks the beautiful Lake Okanagan.
This vineyard, due to the effects of its microclimate, slope and soils, is considered one of the best sites in
the world to produce premium icewine. The Rolling Stones Icewine is crafted in limited quantity from grapes
grown exclusively from this site. Ex Nihilo translation, a Latin word meaning 'out of nothing

Owned by Celebrity Cellars, a California based company specializing in limited edition celebrity wine bottles

Winemakers: Graham Pierce and Rob Thielicke




First Estate Cellars

5031 Cousines Road
Peachland, BC



Photo not available

The winery was originally launched in 1972 as Chateau de Treanier by Marion John. After establishing
the winery, Marion sold it in 1979 to Bob Claremont who renamed it Claremont estates. The winery ran
into problems and was once again sold to Goldie Smithener who renamed the winery Cheateau Ste Claire.

The history of First Estates has been one of buy and sell the winery was just recently sold to the Sivertsti family
The winery will produce wines in what they call the "Back to Italy" style





Gray Monk Estate

1055 Camp Road,
Okanagan Centre
Kelowna, BC V4V 2H4



One of the most prestigious wineries in British Columbia with a proud history of producing quality wines.
The owners are George and Trudy Heiss. They began back in the 1970's and were leaders in establishing
the BC Estate Winery program. The Heiss family is the only remaining "family" winery of the original estate
wineries licensed in the early ´80's. The winery has a beautiful location on the slopes above the Okanagan Lake.

Latitude Fifty Series may be the wineries greatest commercial success launched in1991 A very affordable
wine perfectly blended . Another popular wine is their Siegerrebe. The winery has a wide portfolio.

The Grapevine Restaurant holds numerous events and provides live entertainment in the summer

Winemaker: George Heiss Jr




Greata Ranch Vineyards

697 Highway 97
Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0




Greata Ranch is owned and operated By Cedar Creek Estate Winery of Kelowna.
This farm winery sits below the highway upon lake side property. The verandah
has an amazing view of lush vineyard, mountains and the sparkling Lake Okanagan.
You can sit back and relax over a "picnic style" lunch.




Hainle Vineyards

5355 Trepanier Bench Road
Peachland, BC V0H 1X2


Nestled in the very heart of wine country in the Okanagan valley, Hainle Winery is located moments
South of Mission Hills and Quails Gate; and 5 minutes North of Greata Ranch. Only 355 km (220 miles)
from Vancouver, Hainle is one of Canada's founding wineries, and boasts a wide variety of award-winning
organic wines.

The winery dates back to 1988 with the real story beginning in 1972, when the winery's original founder,
Walter Hainle, produced North America's first icewine.

The winery has continued to make organic wines, and production is soaring thanks to 47 hectares (115 acres)
of vineyard planted in the south Okanagan region. Signature wines include Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, and the
popular Zweigelt.

The winery boasts several other attractions to visitors, including The Vineyard Restaurant and The Producer's Cookery
School. It is also the location for Deep Creek Wine Estate

Winemaker Jason Parkes
Philosophy: Hainle Vineyards has an ongoing commitment to organic viticulture and winemaking



Bonitas Vineyard

20623 McDougald Road
Summerland, BC V0H 1Z6



Owned by Lawrence Hopper

The primary varieties in the vineyard, which is in a bowl tilting toward the lake, are Pinot Gris,
Gewürztraminer and Merlot. An admirer of the Spanish language, Hopper calls the property Hijas
Bonitas – beautiful daughters – in honour of his two daughters

Consulting Winemaker: Bradley Cooper




Hollywood and Wine Vineyard

9819 Lumsden Avenue
Summerland, BC V0H 1Z8
 
summerland



Neil and Betty Massey own 4.5-hectares (11-acres) in the beautiful Summerland's Dale Meadow Valley.
The name comes from Neil's experience as a driver for BC's booming movie industry.

The adventure began in 2002, after removing the apple trees, they planted vines on the undulating landscape.
They now have about 3.25 hectares (eight acres) of grapes — Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Léon Millot,
Zweigelt, and a little Merlot. Right from the beginning they chose to grow the grapes organically. They opened in 2007

The vineyard includes Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, a few Muscat varieties and two early reds, Zweigelt
and Léon Millot

Winemaker: Consultant Christine Leroux



House of Rose

2270 Garner Road
Kelowna, BC V1P 1E2



House of Roses


House of Rose Winery is located on the outskirts of Kelowna on the Okanagan Plateau in British Columbia. The vineyard
and winery are situated in an area known as "the Belgo Bench" with both soil type and microclimate contributing to an
excellent site for grape growing. The winery is nestled among apple orchards with a view of the mountains in all directions. Established in 1993

The winery is known for Winter Wines and Vintage Okanagan Port

Winemaker: Heather Fripp Consultant: Gary Strachan
Winemaking Philosophy: "We strive for excellence in our vineyards and wine making."



Kalala Organic Vineyards

3361 Glencoe Rd
Westbank, BC V4T 1M1

The winery overlooks the lake. Founder and President Karnail Singh Sidhu left his native India in 1993
with an Electrical Engineering diploma and 25 years of experience in agriculture. Upon his arrival in Canada,
Karnail moved to the pristine Okanagan Valley and started a family. Since 1993 he has been busy managing
Canada's largest certified organic vineyard. He opened the winery in 1997.

Philosophy: Let the terroir and varietal characteristics to be fully expressed by adhering to minimal handling and gentle processing from growing to harvesting and to final vinification

 


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