When to Go

The Okanagan hosts a wine festival in spring, fall, and winter; weekends are fun and busy times to visit. High season is from May to October.

The hot dry summer, especially July and August, is peak season here, and weekends get crowded. May and June are quieter, and most wineries are open, so either month can be a good alternative to the midsummer peak.

However, September just might be the best time for an Okanagan wine-tasting trip. Everything is still open, the weather is generally fine, and the vineyards are full of grapes ready to pick. Many wineries release new wines in the fall, so there are more tasting options.

In winter, the Okanagan becomes a popular ski destination, with several low-key but first-rate resorts. Big White, an hour drive from Kelowna, is a world-class ski resort. If your main objective is wine touring, though, many wineries close or reduce their hours from November through April.