Vernon: Vernon Full Day Guided Wine Tour

The best part of this Vernon wine tour is the setting. About 30 minutes south of Vernon, the Scenic Sip Wine Trail rolls through Lake Country, where vineyards sit above Okanagan Lake with mountains filling the horizon. You visit five wineries in six hours, with enough time at each for tastings, questions, photos, and a look around.

I like the way the tour mixes grand estate properties with smaller-feeling tasting rooms, and I like that all tasting fees and hotel pickup are included. Guide Ben has earned especially warm praise for making the day fun and social. The main consideration is pace: five wineries plus a 90-minute lunch makes for a full schedule, not a slow afternoon at one favourite cellar.

Key points at a glance

• Five Lake Country wineries: Visit Intrigue Wines, Arrowleaf Cellars, Gray Monk Estate Winery, Ex Nihilo Vineyards, and 50th Parallel Estate Winery.
• About 20 to 25 tastings: The cooler northern Okanagan climate favours Riesling, pinot gris, pinot blanc, chardonnay, sparkling wine, and pinot noir.
• Mountain and lake views: The route is as much about the scenery as the wine, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
• Lunch at Gray Monk: The Lookout Restaurant gets 90 minutes, with lunch paid separately at about $20 to $40.
• Easy transportation: Pickup and drop-off are available from accommodations in Vernon or Lake Country.
• A polished small-group feel: You ride in a new, air-conditioned touring vehicle with bottled water and a guide handling reservations.

Why Lake Country makes a fine wine day

Lake Country is one of the northern wine areas in the Okanagan. That cooler climate helps explain the focus on crisp white wines, sparkling bottles, and pinot noir alongside the broader selection you will taste during the day.

The route is especially appealing if you want more than a series of tasting rooms. Roads wind through open countryside, with views toward Okanagan Lake and the surrounding mountains. The scenery changes the rhythm of the day. You are not simply moving from one indoor counter to another, and each property gives you a chance to step outside for fresh air and photographs.

The tour also gives you a useful introduction to the region’s range of winery styles. Some stops feel grand and polished. Others have a sleek, modern look or a Tuscan-style design. That variety helps you compare not just wines, but also the different ways Okanagan producers present their work.

At each stop, tasting staff explain the winery’s story, its approach to making wine, and the traits that shape its selection. You can ask about the grapes, the local climate, and what makes one bottle different from the next. Since the tastings are already arranged, you spend less time waiting and more time listening, tasting, and looking around.

Starting in Vernon or Lake Country

You can arrange pickup in Vernon or Lake Country, then settle into an air-conditioned luxury touring vehicle for the drive. The initial trip to the first winery takes about 30 minutes, so it helps to be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.

The exact pickup time is confirmed by text the day before. The time shown when you check availability is only a guide, so keep your morning flexible until that message arrives.

The vehicle includes unlimited bottled water, a small but useful touch on a day with several tastings. Smoking and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. That rule keeps the ride comfortable and avoids the obvious problem of opening bottles between stops.

The tour is offered in English, and the price is $138 per person. For that fee, you get transportation, a live guide, all winery reservations, and all tasting charges. You also avoid the need to drive after tasting wine, which is a major part of the value.

Intrigue Wines, your first 45-minute tasting

Intrigue Wines is the opening stop after the drive from Vernon or Lake Country. The 45-minute tasting gives you a gentle start before the day gathers speed.

The first winery is a good place to get comfortable with the format. You can expect an introduction to the wines, an explanation of the producer’s story, and time for questions. Since your guide has arranged the visit, you do not have to work out where to go or how long to stay.

That first stop also gives you a useful reference point for the rest of the day. Pay attention to which wines you prefer early on. You may find that your taste changes as you compare cooler-climate whites, sparkling wines, and red varieties across the other properties.

Arrowleaf Cellars and the short hop between stops

A five-minute drive brings you to Arrowleaf Cellars. The short transfer matters because it keeps the day moving without making you feel as if you are spending much of the tour on the road.

You get another 45-minute tasting here, with time to hear about the winery, sample its selection, and look around the property. The schedule allows for questions, but it is not designed for lingering over one bottle for an hour. If you already know you want to buy something, note the name as you go so you do not forget it by the end of the day.

The close spacing of these early stops is convenient, though it also shows the tour’s brisk nature. You will be tasting and relocating regularly. That works well if you want variety. It may feel fast if you prefer long, unhurried visits.

Gray Monk Estate Winery and lunch at The Lookout

Gray Monk Estate Winery is the third tasting stop, again with about 45 minutes set aside. By this point, you have tasted at two different properties and can make more useful comparisons between the producers.

The winery is followed by lunch at The Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk. You get 90 minutes here, the longest single block of the day. Lunch is not included, and you should budget roughly $20 to $40 for it.

The restaurant setting is part of the appeal. The high views over the lake and mountains give you a natural pause after three tastings. This is the time to slow down, eat properly, and enjoy the scenery rather than trying to rush through another sample.

Because lunch is purchased separately, the final cost will be higher than the advertised tour price. Still, $138 covers the main transport and tasting costs, and the included reservations remove much of the planning work. For many people, that is a fair price for a six-hour day with five wineries.

Ex Nihilo Vineyards after lunch

After lunch, the van makes another five-minute transfer to Ex Nihilo Vineyards and Tasting Room. The 45-minute tasting continues the tour’s mix of winery styles and wine selections.

A post-lunch tasting can feel different from the morning stops, so use the included water and take your time. You do not need to buy at every winery. The point is to compare the region’s offerings and decide which bottles, if any, are worth taking home.

The staff at each property explain what sets their wines apart. If you have a particular interest, this is a good point to ask focused questions about sparkling wine, white grapes, pinot noir, or the effect of the local climate. You will get more from the day if you treat the tastings as a chance to learn rather than simply counting samples.

50th Parallel and the final tasting

The final stop is 50th Parallel Estate Winery, with BLOCK ONE Restaurant also located at the property. The drive from Ex Nihilo takes about 10 minutes, followed by another 45-minute tasting.

This final visit completes the five-winery circuit and brings the tasting total to approximately 20 to 25 wines. That is plenty for a single day, especially when each pour comes with an explanation and you are also making notes about what you like.

If you have been keeping a short list, this is a good time to review it before buying. You may prefer the bright whites and sparkling wines associated with the cooler climate, or you may find a pinot noir or another red that wins you over. The tour gives you broad exposure, but it does not promise that every stop will suit your personal taste.

After the last tasting, the return drive takes about 30 minutes. You can be dropped off in Lake Country or Vernon, depending on your arrangement.

What the 20 to 25 tastings really mean

The number sounds generous, and it is. It also means you should pace yourself.

The tasting fees are included, but you are not required to finish every pour. Ask the tasting staff questions, use the water provided, and keep track of your favourites. A phone note with the winery, wine name, and your quick impression can be more useful than trying to remember everything later.

The tour is aimed at adults aged 19 and over. It is not suitable for anyone under 19, and alcohol is not allowed in the vehicle between stops.

You should also think about your own tolerance. Five tastings, even with lunch, can add up. If you want to focus on flavour and conversation, modest pours and water will help you enjoy the final winery as much as the first.

Is $138 a good value?

For a six-hour guided outing, the price is reasonable if you would otherwise need to organize a designated driver, book five tastings, and plan the route yourself. You get pickup and drop-off, a new air-conditioned vehicle, winery reservations, all tasting fees, bottled water, and a guide.

The lunch cost of $20 to $40 is the main extra expense. Add that to the tour price when setting your budget. Wine purchases are also separate, naturally, and can quickly change the total if you find several favourites.

The value is strongest for you if convenience matters. The tour removes the driving, navigation, and appointment planning. It also makes it possible to visit five properties in one day without worrying about who will stay sober behind the wheel.

The value is weaker if you want complete control over timing or want to spend an afternoon at only one or two wineries. This schedule is fixed enough to cover a lot of ground, but not loose enough for long, spontaneous stops.

Guide Ben and the social side of the day

A good guide matters on a wine tour, and Ben is specifically praised for creating an enjoyable day. That is useful information if you care about the atmosphere as much as the wine.

The group setting can add to the fun, especially when people are open to conversation. You may find yourself sharing recommendations, comparing favourite pours, and enjoying the company between stops. At the same time, a shared tour means you do not control the pace or the makeup of the group.

The guide also handles the practical side of the day. Reservations are arranged in advance, pickup is included, and the route is planned so that the transfers between most wineries are short. That lets you focus on the tasting rooms rather than checking maps or watching the clock.

Who should book this wine tour?

I would recommend this tour if you are staying in Vernon or Lake Country and want a well-organized introduction to the northern Okanagan wine country. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy scenic drives, guided tastings, and a social day with several stops.

It is particularly useful for first-time visitors. You get a broad look at Lake Country producers, local grape varieties, winery architecture, and the views that make this part of British Columbia special.

You may want a different plan if you dislike fixed schedules, rarely drink wine, or prefer a quiet meal and one long tasting. Five wineries in six hours is a satisfying amount of variety, but it is not a leisurely crawl through the countryside.

For flexibility, you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Vernon plans are still shifting, but the more important choice is deciding if the brisk, multi-stop format fits your style.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want five wineries without the driving, value included tasting fees, and like the idea of pairing wine with lake and mountain views. The route covers a lot, the lunch break is long enough to reset, and the planned reservations make the day easy to manage.

Skip it if you want to set your own pace or spend most of your time at one estate. For everyone else, the combination of 20 to 25 tastings, a polished vehicle, guide support, and pickup from Vernon or Lake Country makes this a practical way to experience the Scenic Sip Wine Trail.

FAQ

How long is the Vernon Full Day Wine Tour?

The tour lasts six hours, including transportation, five winery tastings, and a 90-minute lunch stop.

Where can I be picked up and dropped off?

Pickup and drop-off are available from accommodations in Vernon or Lake Country.

Which wineries are included?

The route includes Intrigue Wines, Arrowleaf Cellars, Gray Monk Estate Winery, Ex Nihilo Vineyards and Tasting Room, and 50th Parallel Estate Winery.

How many wine tastings are included?

You can expect approximately 20 to 25 tastings across the five wineries. All tasting fees are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. The planned lunch stop is at The Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk, and the expected cost is about $20 to $40.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.