Okanagan Falls (or ‘OK Falls’ to the locals) is located in the southern quarter of the Okanagan Valley. It is named after the falls at the southern end of beautiful Skaha Lake, where it empties into the Okanagan River--a place where First Nations peoples traditionally fished for Kokanee, a land-locked salmon.

The first winery on your tour will be See Ya Later Ranch. The See Ya Later Ranch site was settled in the early 1900's by the Hawthorne Brothers. Wine grapes have been grown here since the early 1960's.

From downtown Okanagan Falls start out going WEST on HIGHWAY 97. Look for the WINE ROUTE marker just outside town and turn LEFT onto GREEN LAKE RD. If you are approaching from Penticton, turn RIGHT onto GREEN LAKE RD. just before reaching Okanagan Falls.

The tasting room is located in an original settler's home. See Ya Later Ranch produces a broad selection of red, white, sparkling and dessert wines from only 100% British Columbia grown grapes.

From See Ya Later you will visit Wild Goose Vineyards. Wild Goose had its beginnings in 1983 when the land was purchased and plantings of Riesling and Gewurztraminer were begun.

Return to HIGHWAY 97 S. Turn right on MAIN ST. MAIN ST. becomes HIGHWAY 97 S. Continue on HIGHWAY 97 S for 3km south of Okanagan Falls. Look for the WINE ROUTE markers and turn LEFT off HIGHWAY 97 S to visit Wild Goose on SUN VALLEY WAY.

Wild Goose began producing its own wines in 1990 after years of selling their grapes to other wineries. They were one of British Columbia’s first small production farm-gate wineries. Wild Goose produces the coveted and award-winning Mystic River Gewurztraminer.

From Wild Goose, you will visit Noble Ridge Winery. Noble Ridge’s most prominent feature is an east-west ridge bisecting the vineyard, providing southern and northern facing slopes. Noble Ridge’s name is inspired by the ridge and by the noble grape varieties grown there.

Return to SUN VALLEY WAY and continue south. Follow the WINE ROUTE markers south to OLIVER RANCH RD. Noble Ridge is located at 2320 OLIVER RANCH ROAD.

The southern slope of the Noble Ridge, with direct exposure to the sun, is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties, which were initially planted in 1986. In 2001, Pinot Noir was also planted.

The northern slopes are planted with white varieties - Pinot Gris and Chardonnay - which thrive on the slightly cooler side of the ridge. From Noble Ridge, continue to Dunham & Froese Estate Winery, the last winery on your tour.

Dunham & Froese is part of a larger, 700-acre farm (Covert Farms) that also grows and sells organic fruit and vegetables. After tasting their wines, it’s a perfect place to end your tour with a gourmet sandwich, salad, specialty coffee or well-earned ice cream. Don’t forget to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables to take home.

Follow OLIVER RANCH ROAD S to HIGHWAY 97 S. Continue along HIGHWAY 97 S for 5km. Turn right on SECREST RD. DUNHAM & FROESE is located at the top of SECREST RD.

The 700 acres that make up Covert Farms, on which Dunham & Froese is situated, sit on a mesa beneath the towering 250m cliffs of McIntyre Bluff. This prominent mesa was formed when an outwash stream or lake was trapped between a glacier and McIntyre Bluff and created a large sediment deposit of sand and gravel—ideal, a few thousand years later, for growing grapes.

Bordeaux varietals have only recently been planted on the site (2005) and until the vines mature, premium grapes are sourced from choice small lots in the south Okanagan.

TOTAL DRIVING TIME (ONE WAY): 50 MINUTES
RECOMMENDED TOUR TIME: HALF OR FULL DAY