Wineries
of the South Okanagan
Winery
Map | Winery Lists
The British Columbia wine industry was rekindled in the
late 1980s when many of the grape varieties wereuprooted
and replaced with wine grapes which now thrive along the
Okanagan, Skaha and Osoyoos lakes.
The Southern Okanagan Valley, is where 50% of BC's wine
grapes now grow. Today, fine red varieties, as well as whites,
have taken hold in the beautiful South Okanagan region.The
Okanagan is an extension of the Sonora Desert getting less
than 10 inches of annual rainfall are typical here.
From
the hot, sandy, desert soils in the southern valley to the
cooler vineyard sites in the north, with their deep topsoil
and clay. Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot
Gris and Pinot noir grow in the south, while Pinot blanc,
Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer
are grown in the mid and northern regions, some left to
freeze on the vine for the region's famed icewines.
Diversity
within BC's Okanagan/Similkameen wine regions goes well
beyond the different climates and grape varieties. Wine
styles also vary broadly throughout the valleys, as do the
nationalities of their winemakers. Look for wine styles
reminiscent of those found in Germany, Austria, France,
Italy, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Winemakers within this multi-ethnic winemaking region often
pay homage to the wine styles of their homelands.
Some
of the local wineries also have restaurant and banquet facilities,
and often host special events such as concerts series and
Open Houses throughout the year. Every year numerous Wine
Festivals and other special events are offered throughout
the region.
There
are over 50 estate wineries located in the Okanagan Valley
and over 20 within an hours drive from Penticton. Here are
just a few local wineries located in the region.
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Stag’s
Hollow 
Hawthorne
Mountain Vineyards 
Jackson-Triggs
Vintners 
Hester
Creek Estate Winery 
Elephant
Island Orchard Wines 
Hillside
Estate Winery