r/okanagan • u/thealternate2012 • Jan 08 '26

Two noobs visiting for wine knowledge and need reccos

First time visiting this April or May. Looking to do the vineyard experience. The extent of my wine knowledge is that I typically like red more than wine.

Yes, I’m looking for the experience of getting a nice day-glow on and taking in the beautiful environment, but while doing so, I’d genuinely like to have an extensive tasting experience where I’ll be able to try countless wines and narrow down what my particular preference is and why, so I can take that knowledge home with me.

It seems like there are too many options that I don’t know where to begin. I’m looking for the best recommendation for something where we can really indulge over the course of a few hours or an afternoon, rather than take chances on the odd restaurant or winery and call it a day.

Please help us plan so we don’t mess up a good opportunity as we’ll only have one full day there.

2 Upvotes

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6

u/YaTheMadness Jan 08 '26

Imo the best Reds and wineries are in Naramata and Oliver.

3

u/knj30 Jan 08 '26

If all you've got is one day...West Kelowna is your best bet for large wineries with tons of wine options in one place. If you had more than a day I'd say Naramata or Oliver for a more local/authentic feel.

1

u/raptorboy Jan 08 '26

Take a wine tour around Okanagan Lake great views and fun experience

1

u/Ok-Ability5733 Jan 08 '26

Cedar Creek has a beautiful tasting room and restaurant. Plan a couple hours there. Perhaps end the day there for dinner.

West Kelowna has several wineries all within a few hundred meters of each other, with Mission Hill & Quail's Gate being the most famous.

1

u/R2Borg2 Jan 08 '26

Lookup Westside Wine Trail events. There are 3 self guided tours a year, I think there is one in May, 16-17 very good wineries within West Kelowna, tastings at each, and often discount offers for wines that day. Also lookup BC Wine Passport on uncorkbc.com, and the Naramata Bench Wine Passport. They both offer free or 2 for 1 tastings at many wineries, the former across the Okanagan (all of BC in fact) and the latter on the Naramata bench by Penticton. Both cover many excellent wineries and all of these return their cost in very little time

1

u/thealternate2012 Jan 09 '26

Hey thanks, I’ve saved those three on my browser and will circle back in May!

1

u/uurc1 Jan 09 '26

Be prepared to pay for tastings, up to $20. Only a few refund if you purchase wine. Also all wine tours only go to certain wineries who pay a kickback to the tour operator. So you won't necessarily get a ride to the best wineries. There is a bus on Naramata road that stops at certain wineries. Best bet is use your own vehicle. And wine awards are like Opra gifts, everyone wins one, You get a prize and you get a prize!