Winery / Cider / Distillery

Wine, Cider, Fruit Soda & Distillery Route

Visit artisan wine, cider, fruit soda and distillery tasting rooms. Swirl, sniff, and sip your way through the areas just to the east and south of Keremeos and Cawston, choosing from over 14 wineries, 3 cideries, a new fruit soda, and our only distillery. Learn about the signature characteristics of Similkameen wines.

Cycle along vineyards, take a guided tour by horseback, or board a helicopter for a bird’s eye view of the spectacular valley. Many locations have outdoor patios, tasting rooms, accommodation, live entertainment and food service. Explore on your own or go on a guided tour.

Download The Ultimate Wine Tour Guide to the Similkameen Valley

Tasting Room & Other Options

Explore the Similkameen Valley this winter for tastings!

• Clos Du Soleil Winery is open by prior appointment.
• Crowsnest Vineyards is open daily from 10 am-4 pm. Flights available in the restaurant Thurs-Sundays, 4:30 pm-close, Saturdays (lunch) 11:30 am-2:30 pm and Sunday (brunch), 10 am-2:30 pm
• Forbidden Fruit Winery is open by appointment for purchases only.
• Klippers Untangled Cider is open Thurs-Monday 3-8:00 pm. Flights are available at Row 14 Restaurant.
• Hugging Tree Winery is open by appointment for purchases only.
• Corcellettes Estate Winery is open by appointment for purchases only
• Seven Stones Winery is open by appointment for purchases only

Savour Award-Winning Similkameen

Come and taste our award-winning wines from our wineries, the Similkameen Valley is a remarkable experience. The wineries are down to earth, set in an incredible place, and they make great wine. What more can you ask for?

The Similkameen has a storied agricultural past, so it was only a matter of time before the people here figured out how to make world-class wine. Similkameen winemakers use traditional grapes and tree-ripened fruit to create their delicious wines and ciders. They are passionate about the land and their communities. Most of all, their passion comes through in what they produce, which is award-winning grape and fruit wines. The Stunning valley is one of 9 recognized appellations (Geographical Indications) in BC.

Seventeen Vineyards

Come and swirl, sniff, and sip your way across the valley at Similkameen wineries. First of all, take your time, because there’s nothing rushed about wine tasting. There are so many special experiences here. It’s not just a one-day event. Plan for at least a few if you can! So come and discover why our wines have received regional, national and international awards. As a result of these awards, the Similkameen is recognized as one of BC’s best wine-growing regions. Many wineries in other parts of the province actually get their grapes from us, so you could say we’re kind of well-known.

Taste Our Terroir

Hot, sun-soaked summers and windy days help create the perfect conditions for growing delicious grapes and fruit. Our unique terroir was created long ago when glaciers melted, creating a huge river bed. As the water receded, it left behind .5 to 1.5 m (2 to 5 ft) of loamy topsoil with calcium-covered river rocks underneath. Combine those elements with sustainable and organic farming practices, and you’ve got the ingredients for something special. Read more about the Similkameen terroir.

Tours and Special Events

Similkameen wineries are open between April/May and October. In the winter, they are open for one special weekend in December. Our tasting rooms and special events provide intimate winery experiences in any season. The winemakers here love to answer your questions. Come on your own or with an organized tour. You’ll discover liquid assets with a whole lot of flavour here!

Be sure to take in the Seven Stones Experience tour when you visit their winery. Your tour starts in the vineyard, then takes you inside to learn how they make the wine. Then it’s off for the unique experience of barrel tasting in the caves. Another great thing about this tour is that it also has chocolate tasting and a unique underground audio experience.

Cycle along vineyards, take a guided tour by horseback or board a helicopter for a bird’s eye view of the spectacular valley. Check out our guided tour operators.

For more information about the wineries and special events of the Similkameen Valley Independent Winegrowers Association check out their website.

While there is plenty to do here on any given day, there are many events at Similkameen wineries that celebrate our vintages. The Grist Mill and Gardens plays host to summer concerts. There are also Seven Stone’s Vertical Tastings held in their underground cave. In the winter, you can enjoy the Christmas Open Houses at the wineries. Celebrate Similkameen wines with us.

By Season

Making great wine is a year-round job. Winemakers are busy in the winter. They must plan next year’s vintages and harvest grapes for ice-wine. Visit in the spring, and you’ll see our viticulturists working the rows. They tuck and tie the vines to create optimal conditions to concentrate flavours. Summer is the height of sipping season. Our tasting rooms are full of visitors experiencing the unique wines of the Similkameen. Our busiest time of year is in the fall, with the grape and tree fruit harvest. It’s also when the annual crush begins.

Download The Ultimate Wine Tour Guide to the Similkameen Valley

Wine Tasting and Local Pairings

Our hot summers and valley winds create the perfect conditions for growing great grapes. Add well-drained soil and organic farming processes. Now you know our recipe for mighty fine wines, fruit wines and ciders.

You can find the flavours of our valley in tasting rooms that double as winemakers’ living rooms. You’ll also find them on sun-drenched patios while cowboys wrangle horses in paddocks below. Come and relax under the shade of a 100-year old apple tree. Pack a picnic and sit on the shore of the river while you watch eagles circle above you. Our tasting experiences are like the Similkameen Valley itself: rugged, rustic and real.

Great wine is better when paired with great food! Spend your morning collecting your picnic ingredients from our fruit stands and farmers’ markets. Once you’re done, take a winery tour of the Similkameen. Most wineries have a license for picnicking. For something more substantial, try a traditional European-inspired, family-style lunch served at the Crowsnest Vineyard.

CIDER, FRUIT WINES & SODA

Beat the summer heat with a quenching cider from one of the local cideries. Visit Twisted Hills, and Untangled Cider at Klippers Acres to sample a variety of dry to semi-sweet styles made from a range of apples, fruit blends and fusions, all organically grown. Explore organic fruit wines in a variety of styles, also a signature Similkameen offering.

DISTILLERY

Visit Sharpe Distillery in Cawston where the passionate makers behind the Similkameen Valley’s only distillery, pour their expertise into crafting exceptional spirits. Sample a range of local flavours, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty where rolling farm fields meet rugged mountains. Supporting local growers, traditional ingredients and sustainable practices also make for the celebration of craftsmanship and terroir. Don’t forget to browse the onsite shops for handcrafted keepsakes, perfect for commemorating your visit. Raise a glass to the spirit of exploration and embark on a sensory journey with Similkameen craft spirits!