Both promoted early in their existence as orchard-based developments, Summerland and Peachland, about 20 minutes apart on Highway 97, are still heavily involved in the orchard fruit business.

Peachland began life as Camp Hewitt in the late 19th century, named for a miner who ran a camp nearby. Summerland began in 1902, named a bit overtly for the area’s beautiful summer weather by John Moore Robinson. Robinson later had a hand in developing the community of Naramata for agriculture as well.

The first winery on your tour is Hainle Vineyards. Hainle has been growing grapes and making wine to organic standards since 1992 and was also the first vineyard in Canada to make Icewine, starting 26 years ago. The winery is located in an area of glacial till (sandy rock as much as 280ft deep) that stresses vines and ultimately enhances the concentration of flavour in its grapes.

From Penticton:

Follow PROVINCIAL ROUTE 97 N for 37km. Turn LEFT onto PRINCETON AVE. Turn SHARP RIGHT onto SOMERSET AVE. Turn LEFT onto MINTO ST.

From Kelowna:

Follow PROVINCIAL ROUTE 97 S for 25km. Turn RIGHT onto PRINCETON AVE. Turn SHARP RIGHT onto SOMERSET AVE. Turn LEFT onto MINTO ST.

From Hainle proceed south on Highway 97 to Greata Ranch Vineyards. The historical property was established in 1896 as a peach orchard and it was the memory of the quality of the peaches grown on this property that convinced its current owners (CedarCreek) that this land would also produce great wine.

Start out going NORTHEAST on MINTO ST. toward SOMERSET AVE. Turn RIGHT onto SOMERSET AVE. Turn SHARP LEFT onto PRINCETON AVE. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 97 and continue for 20km.

Vines were first planted at Greata Ranch in 1996 with the wine produced bottled under the CedarCreek label starting in 1998. Greata Ranch has been bottled under its own name since 2003.

From Greata Ranch continue on to Sumac Ridge Estate Winery. Sumac Ridge produced its first vintage in 1980 with wines made only from 100% British Columbian grapes, making it British Columbia's first estate winery. In 2000, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery joined Vincor International, to expand production of its world-class wines.

Start out going SOUTHEAST on PROVINCIAL ROUTE 97 toward N BEACH RD.

A pioneer of classical sparkling wine production in British Columbia, Sumac Ridge is also home to the Cellar Door Bistro, its winery restaurant, and an excellent place to stop for a meal along your tour. If you prefer to eat picnic-style, wait for your next stop at Thornhaven Estates Winery which offers a selection of baguettes, cheeses and antipasti and an outdoor picnic area in which to enjoy them.

Follow PROVINCIAL ROUTE 97 S for 5km. Turn RIGHT onto ARKELL RD. Turn RIGHT onto GARTRELL RD. Turn LEFT onto HAPPY VALLEY RD. HAPPY VALLEY RD becomes HILBORN ST. Turn RIGHT onto ANDREW AVE.

Elevated on the slopes of Little Giant's Head Mountain, a rocky, pine-covered crest, Thornhaven was established in 1999 and has an 8-1/2 acre vineyard site planted to grapes in 1996. The winery's unique structure allows gravity to transport the fruit and juice from its crush pad to the cellar, eliminating the effects of pumping juice.

Your tour finishes at Thornhaven.

TOTAL DRIVING TIME (KELOWNA - ROUND TRIP): 90 MINUTES
TOTAL DRIVING TIME (PENTICTON - ROUND TRIP): 75 MINUTES
RECOMMENDED TOUR TIME: FULL OR HALF DAY