A day of wine, views, and real local stories. This full-day Lake Country tour strings together iconic Okanagan names with family-run projects, modern tasting rooms, and time to actually shop for bottles.

I especially like the included tastings (usually 4–5 pours per stop) and the fact that you get a door-to-door ride with bottled water and a guide handling the flow. One downside to plan for: lunch is not included in the tour price, so you’ll want a little extra budget for the restaurant meal.

Key highlights before you go

• Pickup in Vernon and Lake Country with confirmation text the night before
• Small group size (up to 13 people) keeps winery conversations from feeling rushed
• Multiple distinct wineries: Gray Monk, Ex Nihilo, Intrigue, Peak, Ancient Hill, Arrowleaf
• Food built into the day with lunch at Gray Monk and another stop at Peak’s Garden Bistro (lunch/bistro meal is paid directly)
• Time to shop at each winery, not just a quick sip-and-go
• Practical guide support including a wine concierge and a set 15% gratuity for your guide

Gray Monk Estate Winery: the story you sip with

Gray Monk Estate Winery is a strong way to start a day like this, because it gives you context before you taste. The winery traces back to George and Trudy Heiss, Austrian-German newcomers who traded hairdressing for winemaking after moving to the Okanagan in the early 1970s. They turned an orchard into vineyards, planted varietals from Alsace (including Pinot Gris), and Gray Monk later became known for being the first to grow Pinot Gris in Canada.

Now, the big modern takeaway is what those early decisions created. Gray Monk opened in 1982 with a tiny garage vintage, and today it’s producing well over 100,000 cases annually. That scale matters because it usually means consistent cellar craft, polished tasting rooms, and staff who can explain why certain wines taste the way they do.

Expect about 30 minutes for tasting and shopping here. I like starting with a place like this because it sets a baseline: you can judge what style the Okanagan does well, then compare it to the more experimental or boutique wineries later.

Ex Nihilo Vineyards: the meaning behind the name

Next up, Ex Nihilo Vineyards brings a different vibe: artistic inspiration and a strong sense of place. The origin story is built around the idea of something created from nothing, inspired by Frederick Hart’s sculpture about the creation of mankind. The winery’s messaging connects that concept to what they do in the Okanagan—working through cold winters, then aiming to capture warmth, sun, and terroir in the bottle.

On the people side, Ex Nihilo is led by the Azhadi family under Mike and Janet Azhadi since 2018, and it’s rooted in a long family connection to Lake Country and the broader Okanagan Valley across generations. If you care about land stewardship and community-minded winemaking, this stop tends to hit that note.

You’ll get another 30 minutes with 4–5 complimentary tastings and time to shop. This is one of the places where I’d take my time asking what they recommend for pairing. Even if you don’t buy a lot that day, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what styles you actually enjoy.

Intrigue Wines: a small team with big teamwork energy

Intrigue Wines is the kind of winery stop that feels like you’re meeting a group project where everyone actually cares. The backstory is built from two families joining forces, and the winemaking team includes a mix of roles: a winemaker, an accountant, an internet-focused entrepreneur, and a healthcare professional. That blend of skill sets often shows up in how they present wines—less formal lecture, more friendly conversation about what they’re trying to make and why.

You also get the advantage of local experience. Geri is a third-generation Kelownian who jumped into the wine world in 1998 via Cascadia Brands, later honing her skills at Gray Monk Cellars. Roger brings winemaking experience from Tinhorn Creek and Gray Monk, and Ross handles internet/logistics/design angles while also farming.

This matters because your tasting time can feel less like a script and more like a chat with people who genuinely enjoy what they do. You’ll have about 30 minutes for 4–5 complimentary tastings, plus a chance to shop.

Peak Cellars: modern tasting rooms, wine caves, and food

Peak Cellars is Lake Country’s newer hotspot for people who want both wine and a serious food stop. The property is large—about 300 acres—and the setting is built around orchards, vineyards, and Okanagan Lake views. They grow their own grapes, with around 110 acres planted, plus wine caves and an organic garden area used to feed the Garden Bistro.

What makes this winery especially practical for a full-day plan is that it offers food on-site that fits the rhythm of a wine tour. The tasting experience is paired with a strong dining angle, so you’re not stuck searching for a lunch option at the end of a long day.

You’ll spend around 30 minutes at Peak on the first visit for 4–5 tastings and shopping time. Later, you’ll return for more time at Peak’s Garden Bistro area, where lunch is paid directly to the restaurant.

Ancient Hill Estate Winery: extra tasting time to slow down

Ancient Hill Estate Winery gets you about 45 minutes, which is longer than most other stops on this tour. More time usually means you can go beyond the default questions and figure out what you like without feeling rushed.

The data here doesn’t spell out specific varietals or the detailed origin story at Ancient Hill the way it does for Gray Monk, Ex Nihilo, Intrigue, or Arrowleaf. Still, the longer slot is a real clue: this stop is built for you to take your palate seriously and make a buying decision if something clicks.

If you’re the type who likes to compare across styles, this extra time can help you. Taste first, then step back and decide whether you want to remember this wine when you look back at your favorites later.

Arrowleaf Cellars: Swiss roots and a tasting room designed for comfort

Arrowleaf is a family winery with a clear migration story. The Zuppiger family came from Switzerland and moved to Canada in 1986. Before they settled into the Okanagan, they farmed dairy in Alberta. After grapes were planted and given time to establish—around five years—Arrowleaf leaned into winemaking training via their eldest son, Manuel, who gained experience in Australia and the Okanagan.

Arrowleaf Cellars opened in 2003 with a small starting lineup and limited case production. Today, it’s producing over a dozen wines annually, supported by a 16-acre estate and additional nearby acreage.

The tasting room is also worth noticing for comfort and design. It was designed by architect Robert Mackenzie and has been welcoming visitors since 2014.

You’ll get about 30 minutes for 4–5 complimentary tastings plus time to shop. If you like wineries with a calmer, family-run feel, this is the kind of stop where the conversation can turn personal fast.

The Gray Monk lunch at The Lookout: food as a palate reset

This is where the day earns its name: lunch at Gray Monk Estate Winery. You’ll head to the Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk, and you’re looking at an all-day style menu built around shareable dishes and classic entrée options.

The service is described as polished but laid-back, which is exactly what you want mid-tour. After several tastings, you want food that doesn’t feel like a chore, and you want the staff to understand that wine tourism diners may be juggling questions about pairings.

Timing is key: you’ll have about 46 minutes for this meal. Since lunch is paid directly to the restaurant, I suggest you treat it like a planned break rather than a surprise expense. A quick practical move: before you sit down, pick one white and one food item you want to match, then see what the server recommends once you’re seated.

You’ll also be in the Gray Monk wine universe again, with access to a broader reserve selection from the winery family. That means you can keep tasting, but with food in the mix, so the flavors feel more connected.

Peak Cellars Garden Bistro: farm-to-table flavors with vineyard views

After lunch, you return to Peak Cellars and shift into a dining-forward mode at the Garden Bistro. The focus here is farm-to-table using veggies and herbs picked from nearby sources including an organic garden and greenhouses. There are about 60 patio seats overlooking vineyards, orchards, and Okanagan Lake.

The win-and-food combo matters because it turns the final part of the day into a more relaxed experience. Instead of squeezing one more tasting room into the day, you get a proper place to slow down, eat, and take in the view.

Again, the bistro meal is not included in the tour price. If you’re budgeting, decide now whether you want just a light bite, a full meal, or something in between. The key value is the setting: you’re dining while the Okanagan light does its thing.

How the 6-hour day actually works: pickup, pacing, and small groups

This tour runs about 6 hours, starting at 10:30 am. You’ll typically have door-to-door pickup and drop-off in Vernon or Lake Country, including areas like Coldstream, Sparkling Hill, Predator Ridge, and Oyama, with pickup details handled by the provider after you book.

The tour is designed for pacing. Most tastings are 30 minutes, with a longer 45-minute window at Ancient Hill. That gives you enough time to try multiple wines, then pause to decide whether anything is worth purchasing. With a maximum group size of 13 people, you should still feel like you can ask questions without fighting the clock.

You’ll also get an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water, which sounds small until you’re halfway through the day and grateful you didn’t have to track water down yourself.

A big practical advantage: the guide role matters. From the guide styles mentioned in past experiences, many are focused on keeping things fun and moving while also making sure you’re comfortable at each winery. You may get names like James, Mike, Nick, Harry, Penny, Athena, or Bernie depending on availability.

Wine tastings and buying strategy: how to spend without stress

The tour includes tasting fees and provides complimentary tastings at each winery (usually 4–5 pours). Wine purchases are separate, so the smartest approach is to shop with a plan.

Here’s how I’d do it so you don’t end up with random bottles:

• Pick 1–2 “safe” wines you already know you like (often Pinot Gris or similar whites, since Okanagan whites are a big theme across these wineries).
• Pick 1 “maybe” wine at the boutique stops where style is more personal, like Ex Nihilo or Intrigue.
• Save your final decisions for the longer-thinking stop, like Ancient Hill with the extra time, plus Arrowleaf if you like family-run winemaking stories.

Also, tasting-room shopping is part of the day. You’ll have explicit time to shop at each stop, so you’re not stuck doing it at the end while you’re tired.

Value check: what’s included, what costs extra, and why that matters

This experience is built around included fundamentals: tasting fees, bottled water, air-conditioned transportation, and a wine concierge, plus a 15% gratuity for your guide. That means your main predictable “day-of” spending is mostly going to be:

• Lunch and/or food at the restaurant spots (Gray Monk’s Lookout and Peak’s Garden Bistro)
• GST (Goods and Services Tax)
• Wine purchases

Without a posted base price in the info provided, I can still judge value by structure. You’re paying for a full day of logistics plus multiple tasting permissions in a region that’s hard to hop around on your own. Door-to-door pickup is the hidden money saver, because you don’t have to arrange vehicles, manage parking, or worry about who’s driving.

The only real cost surprise is food, because lunch/bistro meals are paid directly to the restaurant. If you budget for a restaurant lunch and a second meal or snack at Peak, the rest stays pretty controlled.

Who this tour suits best (and who should consider another option)

This is a great fit if you want:

• a guided, no-driver hassle wine day across several Lake Country wineries
• time to talk with staff and shop for bottles
• a day that mixes wine with real food at Gray Monk and Peak Cellars

It may be less ideal if you:

• hate buying wine after tastings (though you can still enjoy the pours without purchasing)
• want a lighter schedule with fewer stops and more time sitting in one place
• expect the lunch price to be fully included (it isn’t here)

Should you book? My practical take

Book this tour if you’re planning a Kelowna or Okanagan Valley trip and you want a structured day that hits both classic and newer winery styles. The combination of Gray Monk’s origin-to-modern scale, boutique stops like Ex Nihilo and Intrigue, plus Peak’s food-and-view setup is a strong recipe for a memorable day without too much guesswork.

Skip it only if your number-one priority is having lunch included in the upfront cost, or if you’d rather spend the whole day at just one winery. Otherwise, the pacing, included tastings, and door-to-door ride make it one of the easiest ways to experience Lake Country wine properly.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Country full day lunch wine tour?

The tour is about 6 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:30 am.

Is pickup offered?

Yes. Door-to-door pickup and drop-off are offered in Vernon or Lake Country, including several nearby areas. You provide your pickup address when booking.

Are wine tastings included?

Yes. Tasting fees are included, and you’ll have 4–5 complimentary tastings at most wineries, with additional shopping time.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Lunch is paid directly at the restaurant (Gray Monk’s Lookout Restaurant), and Peak Cellars’ Garden Bistro meals are also paid directly.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes, bottled water is included.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 13 people.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If it’s canceled because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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