5 Best Summerland BC Wineries & Vineyards: Take a Sip

The town of Summerland in British Columbia is home to a tapestry of vineyards and wineries that beckon connoisseurs and aficionados alike. This captivating region, nestled amidst the stunning Okanagan Valley, boasts an array of exceptional wineries that showcase the finest in viticulture and enology. With a unique terroir and a commitment to producing exceptional wines, the wineries in Summerland—one of the best places to live near Kelowna—offer a delightful journey through the flavours of this picturesque locale. 

Lunessence Winery & Vineyard

Lunessence Winery & Vineyard is located at 5716 Gartrell Road in Summerland and features a large selection of quality wines. This popular winery offers a flight of five delicious wines for $15. The tasting room is available by appointment only during the winter and is open daily from Easter weekend until the end of October, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Lunessence features outdoor tables on the patio overlooking Okanagan Lake so guests can sip their wine while enjoying a fantastic view. They honour a true commitment to making fine wines that showcase the unique territory of the Okanagan Valley.

This popular winery believes in offering sustainable wines by harvesting grapes using environmentally sensitive practices. Lunessence has been farming the estate vineyard organically since it launched in 2014 and was officially organically certified in 2020. Two natural wetlands near the winery showcase the diverse local flora and fauna. 

Popular wines include the 2022 Vin Gris Small Lot Series and the 2022 Pinot Noir. Additionally, the Chardonnay is whole cluster-pressed and wild fermented in neutral French oak barrels, then aged for five months or less in stainless steel.

Lightning Rock Winery

Lightning Rock Winery is a small-scale producer that creates natural, unique wines that reflect the uniqueness of Summerland and the Okanagan Valley. The team works with nature to employ natural and organic farming methods so that all grapes are clean and healthy.

The winery produces less than 3,000 cases of wine every year from grape varieties like Gamay, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. One acclaimed wine is the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Pet-Nat, featuring the crisp and aromatic flavours of passionfruit, lemon peel, melon, and sweet-tart.

Situated at the Elysia Vineyard, Lightning Rock is near a granite rock that sits halfway up a volcanic ridge, symbolizing their goal to create exciting, flavorful wines.

Enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the surrounding area while enjoying wines featured in some of the top restaurants in Vancouver.

Wine Club members receive six carefully selected bottles each quarter from the winemaker with new releases, club exclusives, and sold-out vintage wines. This relaxing winery is at 6611 Giants Head Rd, Summerland, near the Trout Creek area. You can access the Lightning Rock Winery tasting room daily from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 

SummerGate Winery

SummerGate Winery, founded by Mike and Gillian Sohler in 2009, creates premium wines using estate-grown grapes. The winery is at 11612 Morrow Avenue, Summerland, and is further inland than the rest of the area's wineries.

They use natural techniques, including reduced crop yield and special canopy and vineyard management practices, just as nature intended. All wines exclude chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, with the fruit hand-harvested and gently pressed. The grapes are fermented in small batch stainless steel tanks to produce crisp, fresh, fruity wines. 

SummerGate offers wine tastings on its patio and picnic area for guests to enjoy the beautiful weather and views. Some popular wines from the winery include organic Moscato, Rose, Kerner, and Icewine.

Members of the SummerGate Wine Club who commit to buying two cases (24 bottles) of wine will save 20% on all wine orders. Members may mix and match wines to suit their personal taste, receive complimentary wine tastings for themselves and a plus one, and receive invitations to special events and more.  

No reservation is required, although groups of six or more should email the winery before their visit.

Haywire Winery

Haywire Winery, located at 16576 Fosbery Road in Summerland, makes enjoying wine an adventurous experience. The winery offers a variety of unique tours that attract visitors from throughout the region. 

The ultimate winery tour starts in the vineyard, where guests enjoy a glass of the winery's Pink Bub while soaking in the incredible views. Next, guests enjoy an in-depth tour of the working cellar, where they can see and touch the unique concrete tanks that give the wine a bright, lively flavour. Finally, guests are seated for a thorough tasting of Haywire's wine portfolio paired with small bites of food specially curated to enhance and complement the flavour profiles of each wine.

Haywire also offers several other tour experiences that are available to reserve on their website. The winery has made some additions adjacent to the crush pad and cellar that offer amazing views of Switchback Organic Vineyard and Okanagan Lake. 

Guests can relax all year round and experience a variety of different seating areas to take it all in. In 2015, Haywire received its organic certification and has added additional organic vineyards at Garney Valley Ranch in Summerland. 

Popular wines include their Free Form wines made from organic grapes and native yeast fermented in their signature concrete tanks.

Sage Hills Estate Winery and Vineyards

Sage Hills Vineyard is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery in Summerland. The winery specializes in offering wines that are organically certified and a dedication to keeping the land balanced. 

Owner Rick Thrussell purchased an abandoned peach, apricot, and plum orchard in 2006 with a vision to develop an organic vineyard. His dreams became a reality within the next year as imported vines arrived from France. Today, he and his wife, Toby, continue to produce delicious, organic wines that preserve the local habitat while supporting biodiversity.

Sparkling, white, and red wines ferment using wild yeast found naturally on the grape skins. All wine varietals use stainless steel and French oak barrels as fermentation vessels. 

Sage Hills' tasting room offers a variety of wine tastings with amazing views of the surrounding lake and vineyards, not to mention some of the most spectacular waterfront homes in Summerland. The winery also has a patio where guests can enjoy good wine and conversation with the staff and friends. 

Visitors may purchase wine by the glass and bottle and tasty organic snacks that complement the variety of wines chosen.

Summerland's Bounty of Wineries Beckons

Summerland stands as a testament to the artistry of winemaking, with its diverse and exceptional wineries painting a vibrant tapestry of flavours and experiences. As the exploration of this enchanting region comes to a close, it becomes abundantly clear that Summerland's wineries are not only about producing outstanding wines but also about crafting an immersive and unforgettable journey for wine enthusiasts. Furthermore, Kelowna's best wineries are plentiful and of the highest quality, making the region a wine lover's destination like no other. 

Whether you're a seasoned sommelier or a curious wine novice, Summerland's wineries beckon you to savour the fruits of their labour while soaking in the breathtaking beauty of the Okanagan Valley. Cheers to the extraordinary world of Summerland's wineries, where every sip is a sip of serenity.

Thinking about moving to Summerland? Call the agents at KelownaHomes.ca at 250-999-9844 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your dream Summerland home.