Written for Kelowna Guide Magazine by – Aura Rose
Discover the heritage of the Okanagan’s oldest vineyards along the Lakeshore Wine Route. With tastings, tours and dining, the wineries are just a short scenic drive from downtown Kelowna, British Columbia. So go ahead and enjoy gorgeous vineyard views overlooking Lake Okanagan as you visit the four wineries on this route, Tantalus Vineyards, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Vineyard & Estate Winery and CedarCreek Estate Winery. Four unique wineries, four unique experiences and one spectacular wine route make for a perfect day. Easy to find on your own or on a guided tour.
Tantalus Vineyards | November – April 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday
Tantalus was established in 2004 when Proprietor Eric Savics was presented with the opportunity to acquire one of the Okanagan Valley’s premier vineyard properties. Eric, along with his team, established the site’s ultimate potential would be fully realized by focusing on a small, terroir-driven line of wines made from Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With its spectacular lake views, historic old vineyard and state-of-the-art LEED winery, visiting Tantalus is a one of a kind experience. Enjoy premium, single vineyard wines in a stunning, gallery-style tasting room, surrounded by works of art from some of Canada’s most highly-acclaimed artists.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery | Open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunset Organic Bistro Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Deemed “Canada’s most visited winery” Summerhill is a sure stop for every wine lover. Their Organic/Biodynamic winemaking practices have been an integral part of the winery since the Kelowna vineyard was purchased by the Cipes family in 1986. They believe that organic practices allow for the grapes in their vineyards to honestly express their surroundings, providing deep, terroir-driven qualities that are a true articulation of Okanagan terroir. Pair this with a visit at their Sunset Organic Bistro, which features the best regional ingredients from their own Biodynamic gardens and organic farmers, makes for a truly memorable experience.
St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Vineyard & Estate Winery | Open daily 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The St Hubertus & Oak Bay Vineyards were originally planted in 1928 by J.W. Hughes during a time when good agricultural land was plentiful. The vineyards of St Hubertus and Oak Bay are some of the oldest in the Okanagan Valley. Since 1984 the Gebert Family has used sustainable farming practices on their 76 acre vineyard to produce wines that reflects the terroir of the north Okanagan. All wines created by St Hubertus and Oak Bay are made with estate-grown grapes and crafted and bottled on site in keeping with the traditions of an estate winery.
CedarCreek Estate Winery | Open daily 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Purchased in 1986, CedarCreek released its first wines in 1987 and was one of the first eight pioneering wineries of BC. With four generations of agricultural heritage and more than a quarter century of experience, we have pursued perfection and produced some of the valley’s best wines resulting in CedarCreek being twice recognized as “Canada’s Winery of the Year”. Attending one of their many events is a must, from tastings to Flights and Bites, Seated Food and Wine Paired Tastings and more. There is truly something for every wine lover.
Day Tour Tipping Etiquette: A Considerate Gesture
For day tours, a customary tip falls within the range of 10% to 20%. The exact amount may vary depending on factors such as tour length, complexity, and the level of service provided. To delve deeper into day tour tipping practices, learn more here.