Kelowna is the birthplace of BC wine — Father Charles Pandosy planted the province's first vineyard here in 1859 at the Mission Reserve. Today the city's east-side benches and West Kelowna's Mount Boucherie benches across the lake host some of the Okanagan's most celebrated estates, from historic pioneers to boutique operations set on hillside vineyards overlooking Okanagan Lake.
The east-side benches rise steeply from downtown Kelowna and hold the city's greatest concentration of wineries. Notable estates include Summerhill Pyramid Winery (organic, biodynamic, home to Canada's first four-storey wine-aging pyramid), CedarCreek Estate Winery (a founding BC winery producing benchmark Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling), Tantalus Vineyards (award-winning single-vineyard Riesling from Canada's oldest continuously producing vines), Sandhill (small-lot single-vineyard specialists), and St. Hubertus Estate Winery (family-owned since 1984, particularly known for their Chasselas and Riesling).
The Mission area on Kelowna's south side is home to Kitsch Wines, Camelot Vineyards, and several smaller boutique estates. Restaurants at these wineries — Old Vines at Quails' Gate, Home Block at CedarCreek — regularly appear on Canada's best-of lists.
West Kelowna's wineries occupy the benches of Mount Boucherie — an ancient volcanic ridge rising above Okanagan Lake — with the most dramatic lake views in the Central Okanagan. A tight cluster of iconic BC wineries within 15 minutes of downtown Kelowna makes this one of Canada's most photographed and visited wine regions.
The architectural showpiece of the Okanagan — a hilltop bell tower, amphitheatre, and Chagall tapestry give this estate an old-world monastery feel. Award-winning Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and their flagship Oculus Bordeaux blend. Home to the acclaimed Terrace Restaurant.
Neighbouring Mission Hill on Mount Boucherie, Quails' Gate is one of BC's most decorated wineries, particularly for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and their Old Vines Foch. The Old Vines Restaurant is one of Canada's top winery dining experiences.
Owned by the tech entrepreneur Markus Frind, this newer estate on West Kelowna's lakeshore combines a striking modern tasting room with a private beach — one of very few Okanagan wineries with actual beach access.
Built into the side of Mount Boucherie with panoramic lake views. Family-owned, known for their Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and small-lot reserve program.
Owned by Robert and Bernice Louie of the Westbank First Nation — one of the Okanagan's Indigenous-owned wineries, producing distinctive wines with names drawn from Okanagan Syilx language and culture. The Red Fox Club restaurant serves Indigenous-inspired cuisine.
A small organic winery producing natural, low-intervention wines including their popular La Bomba sparkling.
Family-run organic estate powered entirely by solar. Casual atmosphere, food truck on weekends, and a signature blend called Freedom 75.
Small-batch family winery known for aromatic whites and their unique Auxerrois — one of very few producers of this variety in North America.
The West Kelowna Wine Trail is a signed route linking the region's wineries. Most tour operators start from Kelowna and cover 4–5 estates in a half-day. Cycling the trail is popular; several outfitters rent bikes at Boucherie Road access points. Many wineries offer picnic areas — bring a lunch or plan for restaurant reservations at Mission Hill or Quails' Gate.
Kelowna's slightly cooler central-Okanagan climate favours elegant whites and cool-climate reds. Riesling from Tantalus and Summerhill has drawn international acclaim. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and traditional-method sparkling wines are core Kelowna strengths. Many estates also produce late-harvest and ice-wine styles.
Kelowna and West Kelowna wineries host live music, harvest dinners, farm-to-table experiences, artist collaborations, and seasonal festivals throughout the year. Check the Kelowna summer events calendar for winery-hosted concerts, food-truck nights, and outdoor tastings. Fall brings the biggest calendar of harvest and crush events — see the Kelowna fall events page for BC Wine Month and the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival.
Most Kelowna and West Kelowna wineries are open daily May through October, typically 10 AM–6 PM. Reservations are strongly recommended at premium estates during summer weekends; winter hours vary and many switch to by-appointment tastings November through April. Kelowna is the natural home base for Central Okanagan wine touring — a large hotel selection with easy access to both the east-side benches and the West Kelowna trails across the William R. Bennett Bridge. See things to do in Kelowna for the full events calendar, or Okanagan wineries for the wider region.