Five wineries, lake views, zero guesswork. The Vernon Full Day Guided Wine Tour takes you into Lake Country, about 30 minutes south of Vernon, where cooler-climate grapes like riesling and pinot gris do their best work. What makes it genuinely interesting is how the day is built for variety: estate-style grandeur, sleek modern tasting rooms, and even Tuscan-villa vibes, all with big views of Okanagan Lake and the mountains. I also love that all tasting fees are included, so you can taste without mentally calculating each pour. And the ride matters too; you’re in a brand new, air-conditioned luxury vehicle with bottled water onboard.

The main thing to consider is that lunch isn’t included in the tour price, so budget roughly $20–$40 CAD for the meal when you arrive at the winery restaurant option.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• All tastings covered: You get about 20–25 tastings across 5 wineries, without paying tasting fees on the day.
• A/C comfort for the full route: A brand new luxury, air-conditioned touring vehicle makes the long day feel easier.
• Lake Country’s cool-climate focus: Riesling, pinot gris, pinot blanc, chardonnay, plus standout sparkling and pinot noir.
• VIP concierge pacing: Reservations are handled for you, so you skip the typical waiting-around.
• Scenic drives are part of the product: Every leg feels like you’re moving through photo-friendly countryside.
• Your guide brings the stories: Knowledge from the guiding team, plus tasting associates who explain what you’re tasting.

Lake Country’s wine mood: cooler grapes, better balance

Lake Country sits on the Okanagan map as a northern spot in the region, and that matters. The climate is cooler than you might expect, and it shows up in the glass. You’ll see grapes that like cooler conditions doing well—riesling, pinot gris, pinot blanc, and chardonnay—with flavours that often lean crisp and clean rather than heavy. The tour also leans into two things people often love in this area: high-quality sparkling wines and pinot noir that feels more complex than the simple stuff.

What I like about this approach is that it helps you taste with a purpose. Instead of bouncing randomly between wineries, your day is basically a guided lesson in how one region can produce different styles. And the setting does half the work for you. Expect winding roads and constant views over Okanagan Lake with mountains in the background—perfect for photos, sure, but also just nice for resetting your brain between tastings.

Vernon pickup to Lake Country drop-off: comfort first, timing second

Your day starts with hotel or accommodation pickup from one of two areas: Vernon or Lake Country. You’ll be in a van for about 30 minutes before your first tasting, then you’ll do a series of short driving legs—often only a few minutes between stops—so the schedule stays tight.

That short-drive rhythm is underrated value. Long transfers are where wine tours lose people’s energy. Here, you’re constantly moving from view to tasting to walking around the property, which keeps the day feeling active rather than exhausting. Plus, the vehicle is air-conditioned, with unlimited bottled water, and the whole thing is run with a concierge-style plan so you’re not guessing or waiting in line.

One small practical tip: be ready about 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. If you’re even slightly late, the whole day gets awkward for everyone.

Your 6-hour route through 5 wineries (and what each stop teaches)

This is a tasting-focused day, not a sit-and-listen seminar. You’ll usually have around 45 minutes for each winery experience, which gives you time to taste, ask questions, and wander the property. Across the day, you’re looking at about 20–25 tastings, which is enough variety that you can actually compare styles instead of just sampling blindly.

Intrigue Wines: a friendly opener with a full tasting session

You’ll begin at Intrigue Wines. The first stop is where the day often sets its tone: you get about 45 minutes to settle in, taste, and get a feel for how your guide and the tasting associates communicate the winery’s style.

This is a smart place to start if you like variety, because it’s early enough that you’re still fresh and open to trying things outside your usual order. If you’re the kind of person who wants to understand what you’re tasting before you start buying bottles, this kind of warm-up stop is perfect.

Arrowleaf Cellars: compare styles while the views keep rolling

Next up is Arrowleaf Cellars, another full 45-minute tasting stop. By now you’ll start noticing patterns: how acidity and texture show up in cool-climate varietals, how sparkling feels different from still wines, and how pinot noir can shift depending on the producer’s approach.

A good strategy here is to pace yourself across tastings. You don’t need to rush each pour, but you also don’t want to spend all your energy on the first couple wines and then hit the later stops too buzzed to enjoy the comparison.

Gray Monk Estate Winery: the lunch anchor at a major name

After tasting at Gray Monk Estate Winery (again, about 45 minutes), you head to The Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk for lunch. This is one of those moments where the tour becomes more than tastings. You get a proper meal break with the winery setting as your backdrop.

Gray Monk is a recognizable name in Lake Country, so it’s a nice balance: you get variety and structure from a standout estate, then lunch follows right after tasting so you’re not scrambling to find food.

Ex Nihilo Vineyards: where you can slow down and taste with intent

Then the tour moves to Ex Nihilo Vineyards & Tasting Room for another 45-minute tasting experience. At this point in the day, you’ll be better at tasting what you care about—whether that’s crisp citrus-style whites, fuller-bodied chardonnay impressions, sparkling that stays lively rather than heavy, or pinot noir with more going on than just fruit.

This stop is a great chance to narrow your focus. I like saving “decision wines” for later in the day because your palate is calibrated by then. If you’ve found a style you keep repeating in your head, this is where you can confirm it and (if you want) talk about what to buy.

50th Parallel Estate Winery and BLOCK ONE Restaurant: finish strong with a structured finale

Your final winery stop is 50th Parallel Estate Winery / BLOCK ONE Restaurant for another 45 minutes of tastings. Ending with a long, structured finale matters because it gives you a final chance to compare what you liked earlier and decide whether those favourites deserve a bottle in your suitcase.

If you’re shopping for a mixed “bring to friends” selection, the end of the day is when it’s easiest to think like a buyer: what you enjoyed most, what you’d drink soon, and what might be best for later. It also helps that you’ve already had plenty of time for questions and exploring the property at earlier stops.

Lunch break at Gray Monk: plan for the meal cost, enjoy the pause

Lunch is part of the day’s pacing, with a reserved stop at The Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk and a full 1.5 hours. The tour price doesn’t include the meal, though. You’ll want to budget $20–$40 CAD on top of the tour cost.

That said, the lunch reservation value is real. Without that structure, a wine day often turns into a stressful hunt for food that fits your timing. Here, lunch sits in the middle so you can regroup before the afternoon tastings.

How the guided tastings keep you from feeling lost

A good wine tour isn’t just about where you go. It’s how you taste there.

With this tour, you get guided tour and wine concierge service from an award-winning guiding team. At each winery, tasting associates explain the winery story and how winemaking connects to what you’re tasting. You also get time to ask questions and wander—so you’re not only doing the tasting flight, you’re learning what the producer wants you to notice.

That matters because Lake Country can be confusing if you’ve never been. When someone explains why cooler-climate varietals behave the way they do, you’ll taste faster and more confidently. And if you care about buying bottles, these conversations usually make it easier to pick something you’ll actually enjoy at home.

Also worth noting: the day is built with “no waiting in line” reservations. That saves time and stress, which gives your afternoon breathing room.

Price and value: why $138 works better than it first looks

At $138 per person for about 6 hours, this tour can feel like a splurge until you break down what’s included.

What you’re paying for:

• 5 award-winning wineries
• All tasting fees included
• About 20–25 tastings
• Pickup/drop-off from Vernon or Lake Country
• A brand new air-conditioned touring vehicle
• Unlimited bottled water
• A guided, concierge-style plan with reservations handled

What costs extra:

• Lunch (roughly $20–$40 CAD)

The value equation here is simple: tasting fees add up quickly when you do it on your own. Because the tour includes them, your money goes toward access and guided comparisons instead of budgeting per winery. If you want a day where you taste widely across the region without keeping a running tab, this is the kind of package that makes sense.

And because the schedule is only 6 hours, you’re not turning a wine outing into an entire vacation day that ruins the rest of your trip plans.

Who this tour fits best (and who might want a different plan)

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a guided overview of Lake Country without planning the route yourself
• Like tasting lots of wines in a structured way (20–25 tastings is real variety)
• Care about scenery and don’t want long boring transfers
• Prefer comfort: air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water onboard

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want lunch fully included in the price
• Don’t like a busy day where you’re actively tasting and moving between stops
• Are traveling with anyone under 19 (the tour is not suitable for people under 19)

Practical tips so your wine day goes smoothly

A few things will help you enjoy every stop:

• Wear layers. You’ll be outside for views and walking, but the vehicle is climate-controlled.
• Bring a curious mindset. The tasting associates explain what sets their portfolio apart, and that makes the experience more meaningful.
• Pace your palate. You’ll taste a lot, and you’ll enjoy the later stops more if you don’t go too hard early.
• Plan to buy only if you’re sure. You’ll have multiple winery opportunities, so you can return to favourites and make smart choices later in the day.
• If Ben is your guide, expect a friendly, confident day. One review specifically called out Ben as a great guide, and the vibe from the group was memorable too.

Should you book the Vernon Full Day Guided Wine Tour?

I think this tour is a smart booking if you want a structured, scenic Lake Country wine day with guided tastings and tasting fees handled for you. The best reason to say yes is the combination of quantity and organization: 5 wineries, about 20–25 tastings, short transfers, and an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water.

Book it if you’re visiting Vernon and want to see Lake Country without building a route from scratch. Skip it only if you strongly prefer a more relaxed pace with fewer tastings, or if you need lunch fully included in the price.

If your goal is simply to enjoy good wine, learn what makes the region tick, and come home with a few bottles you actually picked thoughtfully, this one fits the bill.

FAQ

How many wineries and tastings are included?

You’ll visit 5 wineries and have approximately 20–25 tastings during the day.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 6 hours.

Where do I get picked up and dropped off?

Pickup is available from Vernon or Lake Country, and drop-off is also at Lake Country or Vernon.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You’ll have a lunch reservation at a winery restaurant, and lunch typically costs about $20–$40 CAD.

Are tasting fees included?

Yes. All tasting fees are included.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

Yes. The tour uses a brand new luxury air-conditioned vehicle.

What’s not allowed during the tour?

Smoking in the vehicle is not allowed, and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

It’s not suitable for people under 19.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Niagara Falls, Canada: Bird Kingdom Entry TicketToronto: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus TourCanadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & TourPrivate Guided Fundy Tour in Saint John