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 and its east-side benches 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.
Across the William R. Bennett Bridge, West Kelowna wineries — Mission Hill, Quails' Gate, Frind, Volcanic Hills, Indigenous World, Rollingdale — anchor Mount Boucherie's benches. Many Kelowna wine tours combine east-side and west-side visits.
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 wineries host live music, harvest dinners, farm-to-table experiences, artist collaborations, and seasonal festivals throughout the year. Browse current Kelowna wine tour events or 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 wineries are open daily May through October. Winter hours vary; call or check ahead for November–April tastings. Reservations are strongly recommended at premium estates during summer weekends. Kelowna is the natural home base for Central Okanagan wine touring, with a large hotel selection and easy access to both east-side and West Kelowna trails. See things to do in Kelowna for the full events calendar.