Vanessa Vineyard
Carved from stone, fuelled by sun — Vanessa Vineyard is one of the Similkameen Valley’s most dramatic estate wineries, situated on 75 acres of sloping, rocky hillside overlooking the valley on Highway 3 in Cawston. The vines grow in rows of rock, the stony terrain stressing the plants, absorbing the day’s heat, and returning that warmth through the cooler nights — contributing directly to the intensity and character that defines every wine produced here.
The range is one of the most comprehensive red-focused portfolios on the Sip the Similkameen trail. Meritage, Right Bank, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Syrah form the core, joined by the Goltz and Monarch premium labels, a Rosé, Viognier, the accessible V Series, and large format bottles for those wanting to cellar something special. These are wines built for the table and the long haul — mineral-driven, structured, and unmistakably Similkameen.
The 2025 BC Wine Awards Top 50 included three Vanessa wines: the Syrah, Meritage, and The Monarch — credited to winemaker Howard Soon, Order of Canada recipient, who joined Vanessa in 2017 after retiring from Sandhill Wines, where he won over 100 awards.
The tasting room experience reflects the estate’s ambition. The Vanessa Vineyard Curated Experience — at $20 per guest, complimentary for wine club members — offers an immersive, guided tasting with knowledgeable wine educators, including access to exclusive wine club and library wines not available through a standard visit. Maximum eight guests.
A fitting final stop heading east on the Sip the Similkameen Trail — bold terroir, a hilltop setting, and wines that reward every sip.
We have a small selection of picnic items available to enjoy on our patio or to take with you.
