OSOYOOS | bc winery route

# of wineries: 12+

Don't miss: Over the Fence, La Stella

Common varietals: big reds + big whites

Wine region: Okanagan Valley

The little town of Osoyoos may be small but it packs a punch. There is plenty to do, lots of places to stay raging from motels to resorts and there is so much great food at your fingertips. Osoyoos truly is a destination that has it all.

At the southern tip of the Okanagan Valley, Osoyoos is extremely hot, dry and known for producing BIG ripe reds. There are lots of fabulous Osoyoos wineries to enjoy but being only 15 minutes from the town of Oliver boasting 40+ wineries, you have endless opportunities to explore amazing BC wine.

P.S. if you don't know the bold italicized words, there are definitions at the bottom of the page to make it easier!

Nestled right along the Canada/USA border in the southernmost part of the Great Basin Desert in BC, Osoyoos is extremely hot and dry. Osoyoos sees high temperatures in the day (up to 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Farenheight) and refreshing overnight temperatures (10 Celsius or 50 Farenheight). Thanks to this diurnal temperature range, grapes in Osoyoos are able to ripen with fruit forward flavours while maintaining the classic BC acidity. 

Osoyoos is the southern tip of the Okanagan Valley so it still has mountains on either side and is divided in the middle by Osoyoos Lake, the warmest lake in Canada. Being on the east side of the lake, vineyards bake in the evening sun and are treated to epic sunsets looking out over the valley. This is exactly what this big red varietals love. Those on the west side of the lake get the morning and early afternoon sun but get a bit more of a reprieve from the evening rays giving Osoyoos the ability to grow more than just big reds..

The lake itself offers a moderating effect on the vines keeping them ever so slightly cooler in the summer and just a touch warmer in the chilly desert winters, protecting the vines year-round. 

There are lots of microclimates in the area so a vast array of varietals can be grown in Osoyoos. We typically see more big reds like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and even Syrah but there are whites to be found as well. 

This is a smaller wine route but don't overlook it. There are so many gems in Osoyoos and it's also only 15 minutes from Oliver, the Wine Capital boasting over 40 more wineries to explore!

MY FAVES: 

Nk'Mip Cellars - North America's first Indigenous Owned winery is not one to miss. Tucked up in the hills of Spirit Ridge, Nk'Mip overlooks Osoyoos Lake and I swear it has one of the best sunset views in all of the Okanagan Valley. The wines are always consistently good and you can enjoy the Indigenous artwork in their beautiful tasting room. Make sure to save time to enjoy their onsite restaurant, Sweetgrass! 

La Stella Winery - this quaint tasting room will transport you straight to Tuscany. The wines are sustainably farmed and top notch delicious. Not to mention the beautiful Osoyoos Lake and rolling vineyard views. Only a 13 min drive from Nk'Mip.

Liber Estates - this teeny tiny winery is an absolute stand out. The tasting room on the side of Highway 97 is easy to miss but I beg you not to drive past. This family owned and operated organic winery is producing some insanely good wines and you need to experience it for yourself. Only a 2 min drive from La Stella.

Over the Fence Winery - whatever you do, make sure to end your day at OTF because I know that you are going to love the vibe and want to hang out here for the rest of the day. New in 2024, OTF is producing some delicious wines across the board from bubbles to reds. But what I think I may love most is their community focus. They aim to be the hangout spot in Osoyoos for locals and tourists alike and they absolutely deliver. From live music, concerts and weekly pizza nights, they always have something going on for those in Osoyoos to enjoy, nearly year-round! Only a 7 min drive from Liber.

if you have time:

Adega on 45th Estate Winery - this Portuguese inspired winery has one of the best patios in town! Their wines are really tasty, especially their port-style wine of course, and I can't wait to see what is next for the brand. Only a 2 min drive from Nk'Mip.

Moon Cursor Vineyards - offering lots of unique varietals like Dolcetto, Tannat and Tempranillo, this little winery makes some really incredible red wines and they are definitely worth a stop.  Only a 2 min drive from Nk'Mip.

Lakeside Cellars - this little winery is situated right on the shore of Osoyoos Lake. The patio views are unmatched and they are super walk-in and family friendly with plenty of activities to keep everyone busy while you're tasting. Only a 6 min drive from Nk'Mip. 

Please note, there are a few more wineries in the Osoyoos area that I haven't yet had the chance to visit. But if you have never been, this is a good starting point!

When visiting Osoyoos there are SO many options at your finger tips. From low budget motels to fancy resorts, you can stay in whatever type of accommodation you like! Here's where I've stayed:

Watermark Beachfront Resort - one of my fave places to stay! Watermark is right in downtown Osoyoos and walking distance to plenty of restaurants, cafés and their own 15 Park Bistro. They have their own beach and a pool if that is more your style. The rooms are super spacious and have a kitchenette which is always handy. 

Walnut Beach Resort - located on the southern section of Osoyoos Lake, WBR has an epic set up with a massive pool with restaurant service, a private licensed beach with tiki umbrellas and loungers, a big dock if you have a boat or just like jumping in for a swim. The rooms are built for longer stays with bright and spacious kitchens and there are even communal BBQs down by the pool. It's super kid-friendly so prepare for noise and splashes, but everyone was having a great time. 

Spirit Ridge Resort - if you want to feel like you are on a real vacation, this is the place for you. With multiple onsite dining options, adult-only and kid-friendly pools, and even Nk'Mip Cellars winery, Spirit Ridge really feels like a resort stay in the Okanagan. If you can splurge and want to spend time enjoying the amenities, I HIGHLY recommend a stay at Spirit Ridge. The only downside is not being on the beach, but they have shuttles that can take you there.

The Cottages at Osoyoos Lake - this gated subdivision on the north side of Osoyoos Lake is fantastic for a longer stay. With shared amenities like a pool and hot tub, a sandy beach, and lots of grassy areas for games, you get a resort-like feel but the benefit in staying in house all to yourself. Bonus: there are lots of wild horses on the windy drive in! 

Richter Pass Inn - located right on the beach on the south side of Osoyoos Lake, Richter Pass Inn is definitely more motel-style, but it was clean and tidy, spacious, quiet, and perfect for what we needed. 

Why not let someone else get behind the wheel so you can fully enjoy your day of wine tasting? Here are two of my fave wine tour companies that service the Oliver area and beyond. 

South Okanagan Tours - offers private, customized wine tours in the south Okanagan Valley. Ride in style in a sleek SUV or have a blast in a party bus or van. They are fun, flexible and have a lot of ins with some really great wineries! Book your driver here.

DeVino Wine Tours - offers private, semi-customized wine tours in the south Okanagan Valley. Pick from a few different routes in the Oliver and Osoyoos areas, sit back and enjoy the incredible hospitality of DiVino. Book your spot! 

Planning a safe ride home is super important. With cab service being very limited in the area, using a driver service is always a good idea. 

GI: Geographical Indication; a specific wine region in BC which can be indicated on wine labels. BC has nine GIs as well as sub-GIs.  

Diurnal temperature range:  when there is a big difference between the day time and night time temperatures. For example, in the Okanagan Valley, daytime temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius and overnight it can drop to 10 degrees. This constant differing temperature helps grapes to ripen with lots of fruit flavours while maintaining a lot of acidity. Both are classic traits of BC wine.

Terroir: all of the environmental things that can affect the taste of grapes. These are things that make the vineyard or area unique such as the soil, climate, altitude, proximity to mountains or lakes etc. Basically, the unique parts of a vineyard can create distinct wines!