British Columbia's Okanagan Valley

The Okanagan Valley

    For a chance to see vineyards in the snow, your best bet may be a visit to the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.  Okanagan Valley wineries will impress you with the finest winter has to offer — beautiful scenery and world-renowned ice wines. 

        The valley is quite long with more wineries along the way than most wine enthusiasts could hope to visit, unless they had no limit of time.  It makes sense, then, to choose one of the sections of the valley for the focus of your wine-touring plans... allowing your available time to be your guide.  We suggest planning your visit for one region at a time - the south, central or north valley, instead of trying to see the whole valley in only a few days. 

South Okanagan Valley

     In the narrow southern end of the Okanagan Valley, there are many winery jewels to be discovered... even during the off season.  Canada's only true desert defines the terroir of the South Okanagan Valley, and thousands of acres of vineyards score the land.

        Open year-round, NK'MIP Cellars (pronounced Inkameep) is easily one of the region's most distinctive wineries and offers a unique visitor experience.  It is North America's first Aboriginal owned and operated winery.  The Band shares its history and traditions with those who visit. Tour experiences at the winery are enhanced through the architecture, designed and constructed to display native art and enhance the beauty of its wild-sage desert surroundings.

        Situated on a bench overlooking the shores of Osoyoos Lake and vineyards, NK'MIP Cellars offers hospitality programs that include wine tastings for the beginner or expert, winery tours, and special events.  Opened in 2002, it has garnered many wine awards already.

NK' MIP Cellars
(pronounced Inkameep)
(Daily: 9 - 5)
1400 Rancher Creek Road
Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0
250-495-2985
888-539-8800 (toll free)

        Just up the road from NK' Mip Cellars is another true destination-winery experience; don't miss Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, located on Black Sage Road, about half way between Oliver and Osoyoos. 

        More than 10 years ago, the Wyse family, proprietors of the Burrowing Owl Estate, began to give form to a dream... an expansive dream that included not just a winery, but a fine dining establishment, featuring the bounty of the Okanagan Valley, and a Guest House for their visitors.  The focus is on excellence is the common theme in all elements of the Burrowing Owl Estate.

Mini-Guide to
Winter-Friendly
Wineries

British Columbia

OKANAGAN VALLEY -
MAP

  South Okanagan Valley
  MAP

  Burrowing Owl Vineyards
     (Daily 10-5)
  Domaine Combret
     (Daily, 9 to dusk)
  See Ya Later Ranch  
      (Open daily year-round: 9 - 5)
  NK' MIP Cellars
     (pronounced Inkameep)
     (Daily: 9 - 5)
  Tinhorn Creek  
     (Daily: 10  - 5; Closed Christmas
       through New Years)

  Central Okanagan Valley
  MAP

  Adora Estate Winery
     (Winter: Sat/Sun 11 - 5 )
  Hillside Estate Winery
     (10am - 5:30 pm daily)
  Red Rooster Winery
     (Daily:  Nov - Mar, 11 - 5)
  Sonoran Estate Winery
      (10am - 6pm daily)
  Stonehill Estate Winery
     (Daily: Winter: 11 - 4 )

  North Okanagan Valley
  MAP

  CedarCreek Estate  
     (Daily: Nov - Apr, 11 - 5)
  Gray Monk Estate  
     (Nov - Mar: Mon to Sat: 11 - 5,
      Sun until New Year's: 12 - 4)
  Mission Hill  
      (Daily: Oct 10 - March 30: 10 - 5)
  Quails Gate  
     (Daily, 9 - 6)
  Summer Hill Estate
    (Daily, 9 - 6)

Winery contact
and address information
 

Washington

Oregon

        Today, not only has the Wyse family established an award-winning winery, open year round from 10 - 5,  but if offers the fabulous Sonora Room, an epicurean experience you won't soon forget.  Overlooking 125 acres of picturesque vineyard, the warm and inviting dining room is open for both lunch and dinner throughout the winter (closed Tuesday and Wednesday).  Reservations are recommended (250-498-0620).  The Guest House at Burrowing Owl Estate is the most recent expansion of the Wyse family's dream.  Featuring 10 private, spacious guest rooms facing southwest, all have stunning views and balconies overlooking the vineyards.  Opened in November of 2006, The Guest House became instantly popular for those looking for a relaxing winter retreat experience. Reservations at 250-498-0620. 

        Speaking of amazing views, consider climbing three flights of stairs to Burrowing Owl's bell tower; it also offers an informative self-guided tour that can be enjoyed any time during your visit.  Guided tours of the winery's cellars and its inner workings also are available on weekends at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm; there is no cost and reservations are not needed.      

Burrowing Owl Vineyards
(Daily 10-5)
100 Burrowing Owl Place
RR#1, Site 52, Comp 20
Black Sage Road,
Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0
877-498-0620 (toll free)

        Head north again on Hwy 97 and watch for Road 7 on your left... the road to Tinhorn Creek Estate Winery, another beautiful, award-winning south Okanagan Valley winery.  Perched atop the bench of land known for decades as The Golden Mile, Tinhorn’s Shaun Everest says the view is “simply spectacular,” surrounded by beauty on all sides. Open everyday during the off season from 10 am to 5 pm, it also offers an educational, self-guided tour that gives you an overview of all the essential operations areas of the winery, including the barrel room, the crush pad and the vineyards.  The tasting room, designed to resemble a lodge, has large windows that allow you to take in panoramic vistas as you sip Tinhorn selections from the Okanagan Valley.  Deli-style foods are also available.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
(Open Daily: 10 am - 5 pm
Closed Christmas through New Years)
32830 Tinhorn Creek Road
(Road #7)
Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0
250- 498-3743
or 1-888-4-TINHORN (toll free)

       In the town of Oliver, you can stay at one of several bed and breakfast inns.  Tinhorn’s staff suggests Lindale Farm — a guesthouse situated at the edge of a vineyard.  For a restaurant with a good wine list and exceptional food, there is the one and only  Jacques’ Wine Country Restaurant, where the wine list presents several opportunities to try the region’s acclaimed wines.  Knowledgeable, friendly staff will help you pair your wine with Jacques’ gourmet cuisine, including delightful desserts... a great excuse to try an ice wine.

Central Okanagan Valley

North Okanagan Valley