With the busyness of summer in the rearview and the golden hues of changing leaves inviting us to slow down, fall marks the perfect time to relax with a glass of wine in hand, stroll through the vineyards and celebrate the harvest season.
Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley come alive in the fall, marking the beginning of crush season (when grapes are harvested and crushed), with a bounty of harvest events, cozy gatherings and new fall releases. The region offers many ways to savour the season.
Here are some of the events, new wines and things to know about Lake Country and Kelowna’s wineries this fall.
In Lake Country
50th Parallel Estate: Just over 20 minutes north of the Kelowna airport, 50th Parallel Estate boasts more than 55 acres of vineyards. The winemaker, Matthew Fortuna, has a special passion for pinot noir, making the variety a must-try — the pinot noir selection makes up 35 per cent of 50th Parallel Estate’s wines, and it’s the only red the winery makes.
Arrowleaf Cellars: Arrowleaf Cellars bottles about a dozen different wines, including classics such as pinot gris and pinot noir, as well as some unconventional options, like skin-contact wines (often known as orange wines). The winery is currently hosting a special fall/winter edition of its Chips and Wine Tasting with a new lineup of fall releases.
Ex Nihilo Vineyards: Ex Nihilo hosts an annual Anti-Thanksgiving event, a dinner series taking place on Oct. 8 and 9, 2026, with no turkey in sight, where guests can indulge in a feast of European flavours (think potato latkes and beef rouladen) paired with your choice of wines. Current wine releases include a 2019 Bordeaux blend that’s been aged to perfection in oak.
Gray Monk Estate Winery: As the first winery to introduce pinot gris to B.C., Gray Monk is a wine pioneer in the Okanagan. Watch out for upcoming fall events, including a two-hour line dancing class with a welcome drink on Oct. 18 and a Turkish mosaic lamp workshop on Oct. 24.
In Kelowna
Ailm Estate: In 2020, Ailm Estate harvested its first vintage of chardonnay and pinot noir, and in 2026, it welcomed its first guests to the estate. Today, it offers varieties such as a barrel-fermented rosé and a connemara, a Bordeaux-inspired blend fermented in barrels for 18 months. Keep an eye out for Ailm’s pop-up dates for the tasting experience.
Azhadi Vineyards: Also new in 2026, Azhadi Vineyards blends Persian heritage with local B.C. produce. The winery grows its grapes on 40 acres of vineyards and offers the Earth & Sky Tour, a full estate tour with a tasting of five wines, a barrel sample and four paired canapés.
CedarCreek Estate Winery: Inside the Aspect House at CedarCreek Winery, guests can enjoy a tasting of premium wines with bites from the winery’s restaurant, Home Block. CedarCreek’s platinum collection includes award-winning wines, such as a 2022 pinot noir, exclusive to the tasting room.
Meadow Vista Honey Wines: From Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, Meadow Vista Honey Wines is hosting a special fall farm event, Smokies and S’mores. Indulge in honey wines and smokies for dinner, join the fall scavenger hunt and fall raffle, and get cozy by the fire with mulled wine (or hot chocolate) and s’mores.
Priest Creek Family Estate Winery: Find The Spot Food Truck on-site at Priest Creek Family Estate Winery, where you can try tasty bites alongside award-winning wines, including its signature gewürztraminer made from 30-year-old vines. The winery regularly hosts live music and even comedy shows.
Sandhill Wines: Starting Oct. 11, Sandhill is hosting oyster and sparkling wine specials along with live music on Sundays. The winery goes the extra mile with the Small Lots Program, where it seeks out distinctive barrels that deserve extra attention to produce standout wines.
SpearHead Winery: Drop by the 2024 Winery of the Year for a taste of SpearHead’s new releases, including a 2024 syrah with notes of blackberry, black cherry, black currant and plum, and a 2025 pinot noir rosé with aromas of strawberry, cranberry and rhubarb.
Tantalus Vineyards: Known as one of the oldest continuously producing vineyards in B.C., Tantalus has built its reputation on quality riesling, chardonnay and pinot noirs. New releases include a 2025 chardonnay, harvested during last year’s crush season and aged for 10 months in seasoned barrels.
The View Winery: Located on a parcel of land owned by the Turton/Ward family for five generations, The View Winery produces more than 10,000 cases of wine a year, including signature reds, pinotage and pinot noir. The winery is open every day and accommodates walk-in tastings.
To learn more about Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley’s must-visit wine spots, visit tourismkelowna.com/explore/spots/wine/
This content was produced for the advertiser by RedPoint Media for commercial purposes. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Avenue staff.
