Oliver, Wine Capital of Canada: Must-Visit Destination for All Wine Lovers

17/04/2019

As the sun dances at the edge of the vineyard, the warm air dissipates, making way for a slightly cooler breeze. The aroma of fresh rain and soil fills your nostrils, reminiscent of the recently picked produce that rests on your plate. A glass of your new favourite wine rests casually in your hand with picturesque mountains and grape vines as the backdrop.

What a remarkable scene that would be. And it could very well be the magnificent end of your fermented-grape filled adventure; one that started in the alluring and abundant town of Oliver. Set in the unique desert climate portion of the Okanagan Valley, the area is known for growing grapes that will become award-winning wines. Oliver is where small-town charm meets big-town taste, and the fact that Oliver is the Wine Capital of Canada is not up for debate. The climate found here is simply perfect for growing grapes. The hot days and cool nights help to create balanced, powerful reds and full-bodied whites. That’s why Oliver is home to the best, most incomparable Okanagan Valley wine.

Great grapes are just the beginning. You need to know what to do with them. Along with incredible grapes, Oliver boasts many internationally-trained, world-class, award-winning winemakers. These are the people who make the magic happen.

The wine is exceptional, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. You can easily enjoy the stunning landscape at any one of the dozens of wineries that sprinkle the area. What better way to take in the beauty of the vineyards and orchards than with the fruits of its labour in your hand.

Of course, Oliver, being the heart of Okanagan Valley wine, is home to the biggest wine celebration of the year. Oliver hosts the premier Okanagan Wine Festival event, Festival of the Grape. Thousands of enthusiasts come to sample wine, enjoy the atmosphere, and of course, stomp some grapes. There’s never a dull moment in Oliver with so much happening all year round ー the city’s events calendar is always full! Come for the wine, stay for the experience and make your wine country dream getaway come true.

Wineries to Visit

The best part of a wine adventure is making your way through the unique wineries of the region by savouring their food and drink. You can do this by bike, motorcycle, car, or book an Okanagan wine tour.

With so many Oliver BC wineries on the map, it can be hard to choose which ones to visit during your stay. We’ve narrowed it down to some of our top picks and favourite wineries to check-out!

Hester Creek Estate Winery

Photo: Hester Creek Estate Winery

Treat yourself to a delicious multi-course dinner, prepared and cooked by an acclaimed chef right before your very eyes! This private dinner is interactive and hosts 14 people, giving you the opportunity to learn culinary tricks and interact with the chef. Indulge in locally-sourced cuisine paired with Hester Creek wine. You also get to take home the recipes for the dishes you enjoyed. Tickets are $120 plus taxes and gratuity and include a complimentary shuttle to their accommodations. Buy your tickets now.

Interested in doing something more active? Check out one of the cooking classes that Hester Creek Estate Winery offers. You’ll want to book these in advance because they sell out quickly. For dinner and cooking class bookings, get your tickets here.

Tinhorn Creek Winery

Photo: Tinhorn Creek Winery

Both music and wine shine at Tinhorn Creek Winery. Once a month (May to September), Tinhorn Creek Winery puts on summer concert series, welcoming Canadian bands to their amphitheatre. Let your hair down and enjoy a night of music at this beautiful winery. A roundtrip shuttle ride is only $20, plus it comes with a glass of wine. Check it out if you want to enjoy some wine while chilling out to some Canadian tunes.

Covert Farms Family Estate

Photo: Leila Kwok via Covert Farms Family Estate

Prepare yourself by showing up hungry to the Covert Farms’ annual Pig Out! It is a family-friendly event in early May where local chefs get the chance to show off their hog roasting skills. Local ingredients will be used to prepare the dishes and food will be paired with local wines from the Oliver Osoyoos region. Tickets are $65 per adult and include wine, food, entertainment, and a special take-home wine glass. Arrange transportation to and from the event with Schafer Buses or Top Cat Tours.
Photo: Leila Kwok via Covert Farms Family Estate

Your Home Base is Coast Oliver Hotel

We’ve got the perfect home base for you to start and end your Oliver wine adventure. Our Coast Oliver Hotel provides a refreshing stay that begins with spacious accommodations with triple-sheeted beds and also offers you:

Free high-speed Wi-Fi
Free outdoor parking
Flat screen TVs
Complimentary hot breakfast buffet
Indoor swimming pool
Fitness centre, hot tub
Guest laundry facilities
Pet friendly & accessible rooms
In-room Starbucks® coffee and TAZO® tea

No other Okanagan hotels can offer quite what we do. We’re just steps from parks, local shops, bakeries and restaurants, as well as the Venables Theatre. Coast Oliver Hotel is your perfect jumping off point to enjoy and tour more than 25 wineries. And you can always start your day off right with our complimentary hot breakfast buffet. How about a stay in May? The May Time is Play Time Package saves you 20% just by booking your stay during the month of May. No matter when you decide to visit, know that this small town becomes bustling pretty fast, so it’s always an excellent practice to book your trip in advance.

More Incredible Wineries

There is so much to see, savour, and enjoy in the Okanagan. Thirsty for more? Check out these other Okanagan wineries below.

If you’d like a complete list of the wineries in the region, view the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country Map here.

Oliver is an Okanagan Valley gem and the perfect place to visit for your next wine-venture. Follow the Oliver Wineries Map or freestyle it and go where the breeze takes you. If you agree that a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away, come stay in Oliver. Start planning your visit by booking your stay today!