Lake Country Scenic Sip Wine Tour – 5 wineries on the tour

Lake Country’s wine country is best seen from the road, glass in hand and someone else driving. This small-group outing links family-run vineyards, organic farming, striking Okanagan Lake views, and several very different tasting rooms in one easy day.

I like the maximum group size of 12, which gives the driver room to offer useful local context rather than simply shuttle you between doors. I also like that snacks, water, tastings, air conditioning, and door-to-door pickup are included. The main catch is worth noting: the tour title says five wineries, but the published route names six, so confirm the exact lineup when you book.

Key points to know before you book

• Six wineries are named on the route: Arrowleaf, Blind Tiger, Ex Nihilo, Intrigue, Peak Cellars, and Ancient Hill, although the tour title refers to five.
• Chris and Rod are named drivers: Chris brings local winery knowledge and humor, while Rod is associated with home pickup and drop-off.
• The group is capped at 12 people: That is small enough for a more personal ride and easier conversation.
• Tastings, snacks, and water are included: Ice wine and other specialty pours may cost extra.
• The listed start time is 11 a.m.: The outing lasts about three to six hours, depending on the route and timing.
• The $163.87 price includes transport and tasting fees: Lunch, tax, and wine purchases are separate.

What the Lake Country route does well

The appeal here is variety. You are not visiting six versions of the same tasting room. The route moves from a family winery with Swiss and Australian winemaking connections to a small organic vineyard, then on to larger estates with art, caves, lake views, and European-inspired design.

That variety matters because Lake Country wine country is spread across the hills north of Kelowna. If you drive yourself, somebody in your party must skip the tastings, watch the road, and keep track of unfamiliar routes. Here, everyone can taste, look out the window, and let the driver handle the winding roads.

The small vehicle also changes the pace. With no more than 12 people, you are not dealing with a large coach unloading all at once. A guide such as Chris can add useful comments about the wineries and the region, while Rod’s reported habit of picking people up and returning them home makes the day easier for anyone staying outside the central Kelowna hotel area.

There is one practical point to settle before paying. The experience is described as a five-winery tour, but the route supplied for it lists six stops. The exact number may depend on the day, timing, or seasonal operation, so ask Metropolis Wine Tours which wineries are scheduled for your date.

Starting at 11 a.m. with pickup included

The listed meeting point is the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort at 1310 Water Street in Kelowna. Pickup is also offered at most hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, vacation rentals, Airbnb properties, and campgrounds.

For full-day tours, pickup areas include Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Summerland, and Penticton. That is a useful reach, but the longer your pickup drive, the more important it becomes to confirm the timing and whether your chosen outing is classed as a full-day tour.

The scheduled start is 11 a.m. The total length is given as roughly three to six hours, a broad range that tells you not to plan a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward. Five or six winery stops, tasting-room schedules, pickup time, and road conditions can all affect the finish.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a simple but important part of the package. Okanagan summer days can be warm, and moving between wineries is far more pleasant when you are not worrying about parking or assigning a designated driver.

Arrowleaf Cellars: a family winery with international roots

The first listed stop is Arrowleaf Cellars, a family-owned and operated winery in Lake Country. Its winemaker, Manuel Zuppiger, trained in Switzerland and later refined his craft in Australia before returning to British Columbia.

That background gives the tasting a useful sense of place. You can expect a winery focused on terroir-driven wines, meaning the character of the vineyard and growing conditions matters to the style. Arrowleaf opened in 2003 with red wines from 2001 and white wines from 2002.

The tasting room opened in 2014 and was designed by architect Robert Mackenzie. You have about 30 minutes here, with admission included. That is enough for an introduction and tasting, but not an extended visit, so keep your expectations realistic. This tour is built around a series of focused stops rather than long, leisurely stays at one estate.

Blind Tiger Vineyards: organic farming and a former alpaca farm

Blind Tiger offers a more intimate family-run setting. The property was once an alpaca farm, then shifted toward vines, beginning with Riesling and Gewürztraminer in 2010. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay followed.

The vineyard received organic certification from the North Okanagan Organic Association in 2013. Its farming approach uses natural compost fertilizers, limited chemical intervention, sulphur for fungus control, and heritage chickens that roam the rows to help with pest control.

That detail makes Blind Tiger more than a quick tasting room stop. You get a glimpse of how a small vineyard works with its land and animals. The winery opened to the public in 2015, so this is a younger operation with a personal, family-built feel.

Again, the scheduled visit is about 30 minutes. If organic growing matters to you, listen closely here and ask questions during the tasting. The short time may feel brisk if you want a long vineyard walk, but it keeps the full route moving.

Ex Nihilo Vineyards: wine shaped by art and ambition

Ex Nihilo grew from the shared dream of Decoa and Jeff Harder. The name comes from a sculpture that inspired them during a 1999 trip connected with Napa Valley and San Francisco. They later named their winery after that artwork, whose original sculpture by Frederick Hart is displayed on the west entrance of Washington National Cathedral.

This is a good stop for anyone who likes a story behind a winery. The name is Latin for out of nothing, and the property’s identity is tied to art as much as wine. Ex Nihilo has grown into an award-winning Okanagan producer, but the supplied background keeps the focus on the couple’s original idea and shared passion.

You have another 30-minute tasting here. That short window should give you an introduction to the wines and the winery’s style, though it will not allow time for every detail. The stop works particularly well as a contrast with Blind Tiger: one is a small organic vineyard with chickens in the rows, while Ex Nihilo presents a more art-led winery story.

Intrigue Wines: a partnership built around different skills

Intrigue Wines began in 2008 when two families joined forces. The partnership brings together a winemaker, an accountant, an internet entrepreneur, and a healthcare advisor.

That mix is part of the winery’s character. Wine production is not only about what happens in the cellar. It also depends on finance, marketing, operations, and the willingness of several people to keep a small business moving.

The 30-minute stop gives you another family and partnership story without requiring you to spend an entire afternoon at one estate. If you enjoy learning how wineries come together as businesses, Intrigue adds a useful human angle to the route.

The drawback is the same one that applies across the tour: the tasting schedule is compact. If a particular winery grabs your interest, you may wish you had more time to linger or shop.

Peak Cellars: big views, tunnels, and lake country scale

Peak Cellars occupies a 300-acre Carrs Landing property with views toward orchards, vineyards, rolling mountains, and Okanagan Lake. The estate includes 110 acres of vines, 300 metres of winding tunnels, and 12,000 square feet of cave space for storing and aging wine.

This is likely to feel different from the smaller family properties. The size of the estate and the underground storage give you a sense of the scale possible in Okanagan wine production. The property was inspired by famous European wineries, so the setting aims for a more grand, destination-style experience.

Bring your attention outside between sips. The surrounding orchards, mountain slopes, and water are a major part of the appeal, and the ride between stops gives you time to take them in without needing to navigate.

Peak Cellars is also a reminder that this is not only a tasting tour. It is a scenic outing through the countryside. If your main goal is to buy a particular bottle or spend a long time in the caves, check how much time your driver plans to allow. The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes.

Ancient Hill Estate Winery: a chance for less common selections

The final listed stop is Ancient Hill Estate Winery. The main promise here is a selection of wines that are not available at many other wineries.

That can be valuable for people who want something beyond the most familiar Okanagan labels. It also gives you a reason to save room in your suitcase, though wine purchases are not included in the tour price.

The information supplied about Ancient Hill is limited compared with the other stops, so you should treat it as a tasting opportunity rather than expect a detailed estate tour. As with the other wineries, admission is included and the planned visit is about 30 minutes.

What the $163.87 price really covers

At $163.87 per person, this is not a budget ride to one tasting room. It is a packaged outing that includes transport, a driver, pickup and return, bottled water, snacks, and tasting fees at the listed wineries.

The value improves if you are staying somewhere without an easy way to reach Lake Country or if nobody in your party wants to drive. A private vehicle, fuel, parking, and a designated driver would add up quickly, and you would still need to plan the route yourself.

The price does not include lunch, provincial sales tax, or bottles and food you buy along the way. Tasting fees are covered except possibly for ice wine or specialty wines. Budget a little extra if you expect to purchase wine or sample premium pours.

The wide three-to-six-hour duration also matters. This is a good fit if you want a half-day or flexible day outing, but less suitable if you need a firm return time. Book about a month and a half ahead if your schedule is fixed, since the tour is booked an average of 44 days in advance.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you want to taste across Lake Country without renting a car. It suits couples, small groups, and solo visitors who prefer a social setting but do not want a large coach.

It is also a strong match for anyone who enjoys differences between wineries. You get family ownership, organic farming, art, business partnerships, large estates, lake views, caves, and less common wine selections in one outing.

You may want another format if you are a serious wine collector seeking long appointments, cellar conversations, or extensive time at each estate. Six half-hour stops can feel fast for an enthusiast who wants to study every bottle.

The route is also less suitable for someone looking only for lunch and wine in one place. Lunch is not included, and the focus is on repeated tastings rather than a long meal.

Confirmation arrives at booking, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Lake Country Scenic Sip Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, scenic way to sample Lake Country wineries and you value a driver, pickup, and a small group more than a slow visit at one estate. The mix of wineries is the main strength, and the inclusion of snacks, water, and tasting fees makes the price easier to justify.

Before booking, confirm two things: the exact number of wineries and the pickup timing for your address. The route names six stops even though the tour title says five, and the three-to-six-hour duration leaves room for variation.

If Chris or Rod is assigned to your outing, you can expect the guide to shape the day. Chris is associated with local winery knowledge and humor, while Rod is praised for making pickup and return simple. For a first Okanagan wine outing, that combination of scenery, variety, and practical transport makes this a sensible choice.

FAQ

How much does the Lake Country Scenic Sip Wine Tour cost?

The listed price is $163.87 per person. Provincial sales tax, lunch, and wine or food purchases are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three to six hours. The listed start time is 11 a.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed meeting point is the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort at 1310 Water Street in Kelowna. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered at most hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, vacation rentals, Airbnb properties, and campgrounds. Full-day pickup areas include Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Summerland, and Penticton.

How many wineries are included?

The tour title refers to five wineries, while the supplied route names six: Arrowleaf Cellars, Blind Tiger Vineyards, Ex Nihilo Vineyards, Intrigue Wines, Peak Cellars, and Ancient Hill Estate Winery. Confirm the exact route for your date.

Are wine tastings included?

Yes. Tasting fees are included, except ice wine or specialty wines may cost extra.

Is lunch included?

No. Snacks and bottled water are included, but lunch is not.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 12 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.