Penticton is a beautiful city located in the southern interior of British Columbia. It is known for its gorgeous scenery, stunning lakes, mild climate and of course, their wine. Penticton is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure or a relaxing getaway, Penticton has something for everyone. We visited this beautiful city between travel bans during the pandemic, and I can’t wait to return. Usually, we travel with our son, but this trip was just for us – and the wine!

Where to Stay:

Penticton has many accommodations to suit any budget, from hotels and motels to bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, consider staying at one of Penticton’s many waterfront resorts, which offer breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake.

What to Do:

Visit the Beach: Okanagan Lake is a must-see attraction in Penticton. Beautiful beaches surround the lake, and there are plenty of water activities to enjoy, including swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating.

Wine Tasting: The Okanagan Valley is known for its world-class wineries. Take a tour of the local vineyards and sample some of the best wines Canada has to offer. We did a kayak and wine tasting tour with Hoodoo Adventures, and it was so much fun.

Hiking and Biking: Penticton has an extensive network of hiking and biking trails, including the famous Kettle Valley Rail Trail. The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakes and is suitable for all fitness levels.

Golfing: Penticton is home to several championship golf courses, including the Penticton Golf and Country Club and the Skaha Meadows Golf Course. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, there’s a course for you.

Skiing and Snowboarding: Penticton is located near several world-class ski resorts, including Apex Mountain Resort and Mount Baldy Ski Resort. These resorts offer skiing and snowboarding in the winter months and other outdoor activities such as snowshoeing and ice skating.

Where to Eat:

Penticton has a diverse food scene, with various dining options to suit any taste. If you’re looking for casual dining, check out the Hooded Merganser Bar & Grill or the Salty’s Beach House. For a more upscale experience, try the Vanilla Pod Restaurant or the Bogners of Penticton.

Wineries:

As excited as we were for the outdoor adventures, we really came out to Penticton for the wineries. These wineries offer a wide range of wine tasting experiences and are known for producing some of the best wines in the Okanagan Valley. Visitors to the Naramata Bench can enjoy stunning views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding mountains while exploring the local wineries. Here are some of the local wineries around Penticton:

1. A Miscolt Winery: This small family-owned winery specializes in handcrafted wines made in small batches using traditional techniques.
2. Bella Wines: Known for its sparkling wines, Bella is a small winery that focuses on sustainable practices and produces only organic and biodynamic wines.
3. Black Widow Winery: This unique winery is housed in a former church and offers a range of wines, including their popular Spiderling red blend.
4. D’Angelo Estate Winery: This Italian-inspired winery offers tastings of their award-winning wines and a picnic area with stunning views of the surrounding vineyards.
5. Daydreamer Wines: This boutique winery is known for its unconventional winemaking methods and produces only small batches of wine using sustainable practices.
6. Deep Roots Winery: This family-owned winery produces wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Naramata Bench and offers tastings and tours of their vineyards.
7. Elephant Island Orchard Wines: This unique winery produces fruit wines made from local Okanagan fruits, including cherries, apricots, and apples.
8. Foxtrot Vineyards: Known for its premium Pinot Noir, Foxtrot Vineyards is a small family-owned winery that produces only a limited quantity of wines yearly.
9. Hillside Winery & Bistro: This winery is known for its small-batch wines and has a bistro offering delicious farm-to-table cuisine.
10. Howling Bluff Estate Wines: This boutique winery is known for its elegant wines and offers tastings and tours of its vineyards, which feature stunning views of Okanagan Lake.
11. Kettle Valley Winery: This small family-owned winery produces a range of wines, including their popular Old Main Red blend, and offers tastings in their charming tasting room.
12. La Frenz Winery: Known for their award-winning wines, La Frenz is a family-owned winery that produces a range of varietals, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.
13. Lake Breeze Vineyards: This winery is known for its easy-drinking wines, including its popular Pinot Blanc, and offers tastings and tours of its vineyards.
14. Laughing Stock Vineyards: Known for its Bordeaux-style blends, Laughing Stock offers tastings and tours of its vineyards and a wine lounge with beautiful views of the lake.
15. Little Engine Wines: This boutique winery produces small-batch wines that are carefully crafted to reflect the unique terroir of the Naramata Bench.
16. Misconduct Wine Co.: This unique winery is housed in a former apple-packing house and produces various wines, including their popular Rosé.
17. Monster Vineyards: This playful winery is known for its quirky branding and produces various wines, including their popular Riesling and Cabernet Franc.
18. Moraine Estate Winery: This family-owned winery produces wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Naramata Bench and offers tastings and tours of their vineyards.
19. Nichol Vineyard: Known for its elegant wines, Nichol Vineyard is a small family-owned winery that produces a range of varietals, including Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.
20. Poplar Grove Winery: Known for its award-winning wines, Poplar Grove offers tastings and tours of their vineyards and a restaurant with stunning views. We enjoyed dinner here during our visit.
21. Red Rooster Winery: This winery produces approachable wines focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They offer tastings in their cozy tasting room and have a picnic area on site.
22. Roche Wines: This small winery produces elegant wines using organic and biodynamic practices. They specialize in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and offer tastings in their cozy tasting room.
23. Serendipity Winery: Known for its fruit wines, Serendipity also produces a range of red and white wines. They offer tastings in their cozy tasting room and have a picnic area on site.
24. Terravista Vineyards: This winery specializes in white wines, particularly Albariño and Viognier. They offer tastings in their modern tasting room with stunning lake views.
25. Therapy Vineyards: This winery produces playful wines with quirky branding. They offer tastings in their cozy tasting room and have a picnic area on site.
26. Tightrope Winery: This family-owned winery produces premium wines using sustainable practices. They specialize in Pinot Noir and Riesling and offer tastings in their cozy tasting room.
27. Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery: This winery produces premium wines and artisanal cheese using sustainable practices. They offer tastings in their modern tasting room with stunning views of the valley.
28. Van Westen Vineyards: This winery produces elegant wines focusing on Pinot Noir and Viognier. They offer tastings in their cozy tasting room with stunning views of the valley.
29. Vibrant Vine: Known for its gewürztraminer and riesling, it produces playful wines with colorful branding. They offer tastings in their modern tasting room.
30. Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery: This family-owned winery produces premium wines using sustainable practices. They specialize in Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer and offer tastings in their cozy tasting room with stunning views of the valley.

While these wineries only cover the ones directly around Penticton, there are tons of wineries in the area, all with stories as unique as their wines.

What is your favourite winery in or around Penticton?