Five wineries to check out in Kelowna to check out

The Okanagan Valley has 185 licensed wineries, here are five you should grab your friends and winery hop around to.

1. 1. Mission Hill Family Estate Winery

   This winery is founded in 1966 and is no stranger to winning awards for being the best winery. They won Winery of the Year (2019) and 18 medals from WineAlign National Wine Awards, featured on Architectural Digest for its stunning architectural design, number 50 on World's Best Vineyards Academy and lastly best winery tour, special events and view given by Best of BC Wine Country. Mission Hill underwent a massive renovation from 1996 to 2002 to create the beautiful destination and landmark it is now. Make sure to take a wine tasting tour, enjoy a music show in their amphitheatre or dine at their Terrace Restaurant that overlooks the vineyard and Lake Okanagan.

2. 2. Cedar Creek Estate Winery

   Number 7 on WineAlign's list of top 25 wineries in Canada and winning Winery of the Year twice, Cedar Creek Estate Winery is another one in the valley to visit. Original created by the Fitzpatrick family, the von Mandl family took over in February 2014 to continue to grow the winery. They have a restaurant onsite, Home Block, that is nominated for Canada's Best New Restaurants in 2019 by enRoute magazine! Make sure to try their 2018 Riesling Block 3 and 2018 Chardonnary Block 5.

3. 3. Arrowleaf Cellars

   Number 8 on the Top Wineries in Canada from WineAlign, this family winery opened up in 2003. Right next to the Okanagan Lake, they have a family and dog-friendly picnic space, perfect for enjoying Arrowleaf's excellent wine along with food brought from home (or prepared by their kitchen).

4. 4. Quails' Gate Winery

   This well-known winery is number 15 on WineAlign's Top 25 Wineries in Canada (2018). Founded in 1989, they have a 200 acre vineyard and a restaurant that was named one of the most scenic restaurants in Canada from Open Table. Sit on the patio that overlooks the Okanagan Lake and the vineyards.

5. 5. Summerhill Pyramid Winery

   A smaller winery in Kelowna, Summerhill Pyramid Winery is another one to check out, they produce some of the region's best pinot noir. Try out their 2017 Pinot Noir GVF Saddle Block and 2017 Pinot Noir Coyote Vineyard, both won a gold medal from National Wine Awards of Canada in 2019.

Written by Candy Chou