British Columbia's Okanagan Valley

Central Okanagan Valley

        The towns of Summerland, Penticton and Naramata are good spots to stay for visits to nearby wineries open to wintertime visitors. 

        Sonoran Estate Winery is located near the Northern boundary of Summerland, on the lakefront with a panoramic view across beautiful Lake Okanagan toward the vineyards and orchards of Naramata and the wilderness area of Okanagan Mountain Park.  It is one of the Okanagan's newest wineries with its first 2003 vintage releases with its summer 2004 opening of its wine shop.  In addition to several white wines, they also produce a Merlot and a Pinot Noir, as well as two ice wines. The beautiful parcel of land squeezed between Highway 97 & Lake Okanagan is also the site of a lovely bed and breakfast for those who would like to stay a while.

Sonoran Estate Winery
(10am - 6pm daily)
21606 HWY 97 North
Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z6
250-494-9323

        North of Penticton on Naramata Road you will find Red Rooster Winery, founded by an energetic entrepreneurial couple from Switzerland who purchased the land in 1990 when it was an orchard.  The Okanagan's rapidly growing wine industry convinced the couple to remove the orchard and plant grape vines. Its first vintage was released in 1997. 

        Red Rooster has gone through many changes since then, and today the winery consists of two buildings, one dedicated to producing wine, and one designed for hospitality.  Now open daily 11:00 am to 5:00 pm from November to March, the was once a simple wine shop is now Red Rooster's Hospitality Building, allowing its guests to taste award-winning wines while exploring works of art from local artists in its own gallery.

Red Rooster Winery
(Daily:  Nov - March: 11 am - 5 pm)
891 Naramata Road
Penticton, BC, V2A 8T5
250-492-2424

North Okanagan Valley

      At the northern end of Lake Okanagan and the Okanagan Valley, Gray Monk Estate Winery and its Grapevine Restaurant sit in the center of one of the most spectacular views on the Lake.  They are October through March, Monday through Saturday, 11am - 5 pm Monday through Saturday, and Sundays through New Year's Eve from 12 - 4 pm (closed New Year's Day). Gray Monk is a great excuse for holiday shopping for your wine-lover friends, with its retail shop and tasting room full of tasteful (pun intended) and novel choices. You can make a memorable "shopping trip" complete by planning to have lunch in the winery’s Grapevine Restaurant.  Like the rest of the winery, the restaurant takes full advantage of its view, overlooking slopping vineyards and the fjord-like, northern reaches of Lake Okanagan with its mountainous backdrop close at hand. 

Gray Monk Estate Winery
(November- March: Mon to Sat: 11am - 5 pm
Sundays until New Year's: 12 - 4 pm)
1055 Camp Road
Okanagan Centre, BC, V4V 2H4
Phone 250- 766-3168 or
1-800-663-4205

       Heading south from Gray Monk, along the west side of Lake Okanagan, will bring you to Mission Hill Winery — the ultimate in wine-touring destinations, even in the dead of winter.  Open everyday from 10 am-5 pm, Mission Hill will overwhelm you with its unbelievable architecture and grounds, stunning views, world-class wine education center, outdoor amphitheater, beautiful gift shop and  tasting room.  A tour of its old-world Bordeaux-style cellars — blasted into surrounding bedrock to expand the winery’s barrel-aging capabilities — is a must.

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
(Oct 10 - March 30: 10am - 5pm)
1730 Mission Hill Road
Westbank, BC, V4T 2E4
250-768-7611

        For accommodations near the winery, the staff at Mission Hill recommend several bed and breakfast inns in the town of Westbank, including Lakeview Mansion, Apple Blossom Bed and Breakfast, Garden Ridge and Wicklow by the Lake.  La Cucina, a local restaurant, makes a nice choice for dining.

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)
  Deep Creek Wine Estate
    & Hainle Vineyards
     (Nov - Apr, Mon - Fri, 10 - 4)
  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 Pyramid
    Estate
     (Daily, 9 - 6)

Winery contact
and address information
 

Idaho

SNAKE RIVER VALLEY MAP

  Indian Creek Winery
     (Weekends 12 - 5 or by appt)
  Sawtooth Winery 
     (Apr - Dec: Thurs - Mon 12-5)
  Silver Trail Winery
     (Apr - Dec:  Mon - Thurs, 10 - 6
      Fri & Sat, 10 - 7; Sun: 11 - 5
      Jan - Mar: Mon - Sat, 10 - 6,
      Sun by appointment only)
  Ste. Chapelle  
     (September - May: 
      Mon - Sat, 11 - 4;  Sun, 12 - 4)
  The Winery at Eagle Knoll
      (Daily 11 to 6)
 

Winery contact
and address information
 

Washington

Oregon

       Another “must-see” winery in the Northern Okanagan is Summerhill Estate Pyramid Winery, open everyday from 9 am-6 pm.  Visit the winery’s tasting room for the rare chance to sample several of Summerhill’s wines that are aged in the winery’s own pyramid, modeled after the great pyramids of Egypt.  Summerhill offers tours of its facility daily, beginning at 12 and 1 pm.

      Whether you’re hungry or not, you will want to experience Summerhill’s Sunset Bistro, open for lunch and for dinner;  it was once voted "Best Place to Propose" by Okanagan Magazine.  All-glass walls bring in the splendor of an awe-inspiring view that accompanies fine food and wine in a way you’ll never forget.  Make sure you try one of Summerhill’s celebrated sparkling wines with your meal. 

Summerhill Estate
Pyramid Winery
(Daily, 9 am - 6 pm in winter)
4870 Chute Lake Road,
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 7R3
Phone 250- 764-8000 or
1-800-667-3538

A Winter Taste of Idaho’s Snake River Valley
(See our feature - The Evolution of Idaho wine and vineyard industry)

    Let’s not forget the winter-escape possibilities of Idaho’s Snake River Valley wine region.  Its vineyards are at higher elevations than most Pacific Northwest appellations.  If you plan to stay in the region for a while, we suggest choosing lodging in Boise or Caldwell.  From there, you’ll be a short drive away from several wineries where you can experience the taste of Idaho wines.  Also, you won’t be lacking in dining options where you will find wine lists with local options. 

       The first two wineries you’ll want to see are Ste. Chapelle and Sawtooth Winery, both less than an hour west of Boise and minutes away from Caldwell. 

       Ste. Chapelle, south from Caldwell, is the largest winery in Idaho.  From high atop "Winery Hill," it overlooks "Sunny Slope," thousands of acres of fertile orchards and farmlands in Southwest Idaho with the famous Snake River winding through the valley below.  Ste. Chapelle features a much-loved selection of white wines and a growing selection of reds sure to please.  Open 11 am - 4 pm daily and 12 - 4 pm on Sunday during the fall and winter, the tasting room is a warm environment staffed by knowledgeable staff who can tell you why Idaho is a great place for growing wine grapes.  In addition to the tasting room, the winery features a gift shop and winery tours.  If the weather is nice, pack a picnic and take advantage of the winery’s extensive and scenic picnic grounds.

Ste. Chapelle Winery

(Daily. Mon - Sat: 10 am - 5 pm,
Sun: Noon - 5 pm)
19348 Lowell Road
Caldwell, ID 83605

208-459-7222

       From Ste. Chapelle, take a short drive to Sawtooth Winery south of Nampa.  The winery is open noon to 5:00 pm Thursday through Monday during December, and Friday through Sunday during the months of January through March.  It offers visitors a chance to sample its Idaho wines in its tasting room and small gift shop set atop a hill of vineyards.  The grounds are lovely; one look and you’ll see why Sawtooth plays host to many weddings throughout the year.  The staff recommends visiting this time of year for more personal attention since tourism is slower. 

Sawtooth Winery
 (Jan - Mar: Fri - Sun, Noon - 5 pm
Apr - Dec: Thurs - Mon, Noon - 5 pm)

13750 Surrey Lane

Nampa, ID 83686

208-467-1200

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