Guide to East Kelowna Wineries You’ll Want to Visit Again and Again
East Kelowna wineries are so much fun! Yes, the wine is amazing (as you’d expect), but the views, patios, and laid-back charm are what really make these wineries really stand out. The best part is that you don’t need a fancy reason to go. Grab a few friends, book a tasting (or just pop in), and turn it into an laid-back day of wine tasting.
I’ve lived in Kelowna for years, but I’ll admit that wine hasn’t always been my thing. I’ve always been more into the outdoors and have spent a lot of my time hiking, paddling, and exploring all the incredible places the Okanagan has to offer.
But over the last couple of years, I’ve started to really enjoy checking out Kelowna’s local wineries and restaurants. And wow, I was really missing out! I’m still far from a wine connoisseur, but I do love the experience and our wineries are such a fun way to spend an afternoon!
Book a Guided Wine Tour in East Kelowna
If you really want to sit back and enjoy the experience, book a guided wine tour.
You don’t have to worry about driving or second-guessing which wineries to visit. You can just hop in, relax, and let someone else handle the details while you sip your way through East Kelowna.
Guide to East Kelowna Wineries
This guide is all about East Kelowna wineries and what you can expect when you visit. Some have amazing vineyard views, while others feel like you’ve stumbled into a cozy little hideaway. Each one’s got its own personality and that’s what makes exploring this area so much fun.
I’ve also marked my personal favourites with asterisks; these are the ones I find myself going back to again and again. I haven’t made it to every winery in East Kelowna yet (there are a lot!), so I’ll let you know where I’m speaking from firsthand experience and where you’ll just have to do the exploring for both of us.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery
TLDR; Great views, organic wine, and a mysterious pyramid. Don’t miss the restaurant!
If there’s one winery in Kelowna that stands out, literally, it’s Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Not only does it have stunning views of Okanagan Lake, but it also has a massive pyramid. Yes, you read that right, an actual pyramid.
I’ve been to Summerhill a few times, and while the tasting room is okay (it’s a little dark in my opinion), the best way to experience the winery is by grabbing a table at the restaurant. It’s so nice to outside with a glass of wine, and look out over the vineyard and the lake.
Summerhill focuses on organic and biodynamic wines, and, of course, pyramids. They age their wine inside their massive pyramid, which they say is one of the most precisely sacred-geometry-aligned in the world, second only to the Great Pyramid of Giza. And yes, you can go inside.
They say this pyramid aging enhances the flavour and energy of the wine. Does it actually make a difference? I like to think it does, but who knows. It’s definitely a fun story to talk about while sipping some wine.
PS: A little off topic, but I once attended a sound bath and revival event inside the pyramid. At the time, I was dealing with a lot of anger after our house was set on fire, but afterwards, I felt so much lighter. I know it sounds wild, but it’s the truth. Whether or not the pyramid actually has energy-enhancing powers is up for debate, but I can’t deny that it had an impact on me.
Tantalus Vineyards
TLDR; Bright and modern with outdoor seating and spectacular views; very sustainable.
Tantalus has some of the best views in Kelowna, hands down. It sits high in the hills of East Kelowna and looks straight out over Okanagan Lake and has endless rows of vines and wide-open skies.
I’ve always loved visiting for the scenery, but the more I’ve learned about how sustainable they are, the more I appreciate them. They farm everything 100% sustainably, don’t use harsh chemicals, and were even the first winery in BC to be LEED-certified, which basically means they went all-in on building an eco-friendly, energy-efficient winery.
One of my favourite things about Tantalus are the bees. They have a bee tour where you can explore the vineyard and see the little pollinators in action. It’s a fun way to mix things up on your wine tour and I love that they’ve found a way to make wine and help the environment at the same time.
Priest Creek Family Estate Winery*
TLDR; A chill, no-fuss East Kelowna winery with great reds and a fun, welcoming vibe and lawn games.
Priest Creek isn’t a big-name winery and that’s exactly why I love it. It’s small, family-run, and laid-back, which are all things I love in a winery.
I absolutely love the atmosphere here. The outdoor tasting area feels like a little slice of Tuscany with a vine covered terrace and plenty of space to stretch out. They’ve even got lawn games, as well as occasional live music and craft workshops.
Priest Creek focuses on small-batch, handcrafted wines, and while their reds get a lot of attention, I love their rosé and sparkling red in the summer. It’s basically patio season in a glass.
If you stop by on a weekend, keep an eye out for their food trucks because wine is even better when there’s a snack involved. And their food is top notch!
The Vibrant Vine Winery
TLDR; Wine with a side of 3D art, music, and good vibes.
The first time I walked into The Vibrant Vine in East Kelowna, they handed me a pair of 3D glasses and I knew this wasn’t going to be your average wine tasting. The entire tasting room is covered in 3D artwork!
But don’t let the quirky vibe fool you, the wine here is actually really good. Their Oops white (now called Woops) became famous for accidentally winning Best White Wine in the World (yes, the world) and having an upside down label. They’ve also got a great Gewürztraminer and some easy-drinking reds, all with labels as colourful as the winery itself.
They also have a big, grassy lawn that’s perfect for kicking back with a glass and if you visit on the right day, you’ll probably catch some live music or an event. Once you’re settled in with a glass of wine and some good tunes, it’s pretty hard to leave.
Meadow Vista Honey Wine*
TLDR; A calm and welcoming space where you can try local mead and attend cool events.
Meadow Vista isn’t your typical winery; in fact, it’s not actually a winery at all. Instead of grapes, they make mead (aka honey wine) and it’s one of the most unique spots in Kelowna.
Mead is the oldest alcoholic drink in the world that’s made by fermenting honey with water and fruit. And trust me, it’s worth trying their different flavours.
I’ve been here a few times and I love how laid-back and cozy it feels. It’s on a small farm with buzzing beehives, a cute little shop, and a peaceful outdoor space. They also run some really fun events like s’mores nights where you can roast marshmallows and sip mead by the fire.
Their mead comes in all kinds of styles like sparkling, dry, sweet, and even cider-like versions, so there’s something for everyone. We always grab a bottle of their spiced mead for Thanksgiving because it’s warm and perfect for fall.
Hidden Vines Family Estate Winery*
TLDR; Relaxed and welcoming, dog and kid friendly.
Hidden Vines is relaxed and welcoming, and almost feel like spending an afternoon at a friend’s place. You can sip wine on their dog-friendly patio, bring your own picnic food, and if you’re up for it, challenge someone to a game on the lawn.
Tastings are $10 for four wines, and you don’t need a reservation unless you’re bringing a bigger group. Kids are welcome too, and they’ll happily swap the wine for juice so everyone feels included.
The family behind Hidden Vines is still pretty new to the wine scene, which makes visiting pretty damn cool. You’re really supporting their dream! It also happens to be one of my favourite wineries in East Kelowna (have you noticed a theme yet?).
The View Winery
TLDR; Laid back tasting room in a restored 1920s packing house.
The View Winery has a fun, relaxed vibe and a great selection of wine and cider, which is always a win in my books. The tasting room is in a restored 1920s apple packing house, so the space has lots of charm and history.
I’ve been a few times and always have a good time. It’s casual and easy to swing by for a quick tasting, or you can book a tour of the estate or check out their many other events!
PS: Even though the winery is called “The View”, there’s not actually much of a view from the tasting room. You need to take an estate tour for that.
CedarCreek Estate Winery
TLDR; An iconic and high-end Kelowna winery with amazing views.
I haven’t personally been to CedarCreek yet, but it’s been around for decades and is one of Kelowna’s most iconic wineries. It’s located right above Okanagan Lake and has spectacular views with a mix of modern architecture and old-school vineyard charm.
They’re known for high-quality wines and a strong focus on organic farming. From what I’ve heard, the Home Block restaurant is also amazing and worth a visit for the food alone.
Fun fact: The comedy series Psych filmed an episode at CedarCreek in 2007.
Martin’s Lane Winery
TLDR; Striking architecture and small-batch wines with an elevated tasting experience.
Martin’s Lane is high on my list, but I haven’t made it there yet. It has a really stunning, ultra-modern building that overlooks Okanagan Lake and they exclusively make small-batch Pinot Noir and Riesling.
It’s a single-vineyard, gravity-fed winery that’s appointment-only and is definitely an elevated tasting experience. If you’re into wine, design, or both, it seems like a pretty unforgettable visit.
Nagging Doubt Winery
TLDR; Small, boutique, and off the beaten path. Appointment only.
I also haven’t been to Nagging Doubt yet, but I love that it’s a smaller, boutique winery that’s tucked into the Southeast Kelowna hills. It sounds like a hidden gem that’s perfect if you’re after a more low-key tasting experience. They’re known for small-batch reds and tastings are by reservation only.
Fun fact: The winemaker used to tour Canada as a drummer in a punk band!
SpearHead Winery
TLDR; Award-winning pinot with vineyard views.
SpearHead Winery has been on my list for ages, especially since I keep hearing great things about their Pinot Noir. I haven’t made it there yet, but it’s just a short drive from downtown Kelowna and has lovely views over the vineyard.
If you’re into reds and patios, this winery in East Kelowna is calling you!
Which East Kelowna Winery Are You Visiting First?
East Kelowna has no shortage of wineries, but the ones with great wine and fun atmospheres are my favourites. I hope you fall in love with sipping a delicous Okanagan wine while looking out over the valley, or settling into a patio where the world feels like it’s slowed down, even just for a minute.
Cheers to good wine, great views, and slowing down to enjoy both!
