Wine Not? Exploring the North-O Wine Loop

The Okanagan Valley plays host to over 2,400 hectares of planted vineyards and over 120 wineries. Future plans for McKinley Beach’s very own Winery & Wellness District complete with vineyards and a winery will soon be a reality. But until then, we wanted to highlight some of the wineries on the North-O Wine Loop that would be great to visit on a nice spring afternoon.

50th Parallel Estate Winery 

Set in the heart of Okanagan Wine Country in British Columbia, Canada, 50th Parallel Estate is a majestic 61 acre site near the shores of Lake Okanagan. With unmatched geography, the southwest sloping site enjoys long days boosted by lake reflectivity. Bright, dry, and frost-free, it has natural geological properties with rare, red granite sand and soil.

 

Ancient Hill Estate Winery 

Old-world charm. Travel along the scenic back roads of farmland and horse ranches to arrive at this new and enchanting European-style winery. Once here, you’ll be welcomed into a nouveau-rustic tasting room where wood is king and the wine noble – made entirely from grapes grown on the estate’s vineyard.

 

Arrowleaf Cellars 

Picnic Paradise. Nestled on a hillside with vineyards sloping down to the lake, family-owned Arrowleaf Cellars crafts award-winning wines from this grape-laden landscape. After your tasting, enjoy the great view while sharing your picnic lunch with friends or family and a glass of your favourite Arrowleaf wine.

 

Blind Tiger Vineyards 

In Organic prohibition themed, family owned vineyard. Back during prohibition you would buy a ticket to see the “Blind Tiger” but it was just your entrance into the bar. If the Tiger was blind folded it meant that no cops were watching and that it was open for business, but if it wasn’t don’t come in. Enjoy a bottle of wine and a pizza on our patio from Marno’s Woodfire pizza here every weekend.

 

Ex Nihilo Vineyards 

Star struck. The first time Jeff, Decoa and partners Jay and Twila walked this steep, untouched 10-acre property, they saw great potential for a special place. It wasn’t just the landscape’s splendour that spoke to them – it was the soil, the climate, and the southwestern facing slope overlooking beautiful Okanagan Lake. (On a side note, new McKinley Beach lot owners are gifted Ex Nihilo Wines upon purchase!)

 

Gray Monk Estate Winery 

Perched above Okanagan Lake with stunning panoramic views of mountains, vineyards and the lake, Gray Monk Estate Winery offers guests a true taste, or sip, of the Okanagan lifestyle. With a bustling wine boutique, a full service banquet facility and a world-class restaurant, the winery is equipped to host guests for all occasions.

Many of these wineries are a short drive from McKinley Beach. Why not tour some wineries, taste some of the excellent local vintage, and then stop by McKinley Beach for a walk along the waterfront?

*Source – Kelowna Tourism