The Okanagan is wine country first, and a small-group tour is the easiest way to taste it when you do not want to be the designated driver. This afternoon tour starts at about 1:30 pm, collects guests from hotels or homes in Kelowna and West Kelowna, and visits four wineries chosen from a longer list, with a choice of two routes. Tasting fees at the wineries are covered by the tour, the guide gives commentary on the ride and the vineyards, and the group is capped at 11 guests, so it feels personal rather than like a coach party. It carries a 4.9 rating from more than 250 reviews on the booking page. Choose it if you want to compare several styles in one afternoon, from crisp whites to Pinot Noir, without the planning.
What to do
Pick the tour that matches where you are staying, confirm your pickup time when the operator contacts you, and let the guide handle the rest. The itinerary draws on more than a dozen possible stops across Kelowna and West Kelowna, so the four wineries you see depend on the route and the day. Tastings are the main event, with time at each winery to ask questions and buy bottles, and the guide explains the grapes, the lake effect and the style of each estate.
Practical planning
The tour runs about four hours from a 1:30 pm start, with a minimum of two travellers per booking and a maximum of 11. Pickups are in Kelowna and West Kelowna only, and the pickup time is confirmed by message the night before or the morning of the tour and can shift by up to 45 minutes.
Pickups are not offered from some outlying areas, so check the page if you are staying in Lake Country or Peachland. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start. Everyone must be of legal drinking age, and you should eat a good lunch first.
Fitting it in
This is the one general wine tour we suggest, because it covers the two areas most visitors stay in. If you want a single estate rather than a sampler, go directly to Mission Hill or Quails' Gate. A winery day pairs well with a lakeside dinner or a downtown food tour on another evening, and it makes an easy first-day activity, because the guide can point you to wines you may want to visit again.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group guided wine tour by vehicle, with hotel pickup, four winery stops and tastings.
Best time
Any afternoon; the tour starts around 1:30 pm, so eat a proper lunch first.
How long
About four hours from the 1:30 pm start.
Tips
Confirm your pickup time by message, eat lunch beforehand, bring a layer and check that your hotel is within the pickup area.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples and friends who want to taste several wineries without driving.
- Families
- This is an adult outing, because tastings are the point.
- Couples
- A small group, a guide and a few lake views make an easy shared afternoon.
- Pair with
- A walking food tour on another evening, or a single-estate visit to Mission Hill or Quails' Gate.
- Time needed
- About four hours, plus pickup time.
Good questions
How many wineries does the tour visit?+
The overview says four wineries, chosen from a longer list of possible stops across Kelowna and West Kelowna. You can choose between two routes.
Are tasting fees included?+
The tour covers tastings and a local guide, and admission to the wineries is free. Buying bottles at the wineries costs extra.
Where does it pick up?+
Kelowna tours pick up only in Kelowna, while West Kelowna tours can pick up in either Kelowna or West Kelowna. Pickup is not offered from outlying areas such as Lake Country or Peachland.
How large is the group?+
The minimum is two travellers per booking and the maximum is 11, so the tour stays small. Your pickup time is confirmed by message and can vary by up to 45 minutes.
Can I cancel?+
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Check the booking page for the full policy.
