Guest Post by Johnny Ho, Creator at Okanagan Wineries.
The Okanagan Valley stretches nearly 200 kilometres from tip to tail, and somewhere along those winding lakeside roads sit over 150 wineries. I know this valley well — well enough that I ended up building an iOS app called Okanagan Wineries to help visitors explore it. More on that at the end. First, here’s how to actually plan a great trip.
Structure Your Trip Around the Regions
The Okanagan isn’t one place — it’s a series of distinct wine regions, each with its own personality.
A well-paced three-day trip might look like this:
Day 1 — Oliver & Osoyoos (The South)
Canada’s only true desert is home to bold reds: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah. The heat here produces structured, full-bodied wines. Start at the south end and work your way north.
Day 2 — Naramata Bench & Penticton
Tight, winding roads above Skaha and Okanagan Lake. This is boutique territory — small-production wineries, passionate winemakers, and some of the best Pinot Noir in the province.
Day 3 — Kelowna & Lake Country
The largest concentration of wineries in the region. More variety in both style and scale — from estate giants to small family operations tucked off the highway.
Discover Wineries Beyond the Big Names
Mission Hill, Quails’ Gate, Burrowing Owl — these are bucket-list stops for good reason. But some of the most memorable tastings happen at smaller producers doing exceptional work with far less foot traffic. More time with the person who made the wine, rarer bottles, and a conversation that doesn’t feel like a rehearsed script. Ask the staff at any winery you love to point you to something nearby that doesn’t get enough attention. They always know.
Write Down What You’re Tasting
You will visit a lot of wineries. By day two, the details blur. Bring a small notebook, use your phone’s notes app, or take a photo of the bottle — whatever works. The habit matters more than the method. When you’re back home trying to reorder that Viognier from the Naramata Bench, you’ll be glad you did.
Plan to Buy More Than You Expect
You will leave with wine. Budget for it. If you’re driving, bottles travel fine wrapped in clothing in your luggage. If you’re flying, dedicated wine travel bags with foam inserts are worth it — or ask the winery if they can ship directly to you, as many in BC now offer that.
Don’t Underestimate the Food
Wine country dining has grown dramatically alongside the wine. The valley now has serious restaurant scenes in Kelowna, Penticton and Oliver — farm-to-table menus, lakefront patios, and winery restaurants worth building an itinerary around. Book dinner in advance in summer, especially on weekends.
One Practical Note
The Okanagan rewards people who slow down and explore it properly. The best days are usually the ones where you wander off the plan.
If you’d like a dedicated tool for the trip — an interactive offline map of 150+ wineries, tasting journal, cellar tracker, trip planner and restaurant bookings all in one place — that’s what I built. It’s free on iPhone and iPad, no account required.
Download free on iPhone and iPad: Okanagan Wineries.
Learn more at okanaganwineries.app