How to Make the Most of Your Fall Getaway to Kelowna

With over 40 wineries within a 20–minute drive, Kelowna is the birthplace of winemaking in British Columbia. It’s also an exceptional destination for experiencing the best of autumn, when vineyards harvest grapes from the vines for the year’s vintages and locally grown fruits and vegetables transform into hearty meals at the city’s cozy farm–to–table restaurants.

From downtown core to mountaintop to countryside, here’s a fall itinerary for celebrating harvest season and getting centred in Kelowna.

Day 1

Riding on the excitement of your arrival, kick off your trip by dining at Block One restaurant at 50th Parallel Estate Winery. Executive chef Kai Koroll works with local farmers and producers in their Lake Country backyard, which includes pulling from a culinary garden of their own. Expect refined, seasonally inspired plates with the 50th Parallel’s stellar wines in mind.

After dinner,  retreat to one of the 53 guest rooms at Hotel Eldorado. Dating back to 1926, it’s all historical charm and lakefront luxury.  For those who prefer to stay closer to the downtown core, The Royal Kelowna is an all–suite hotel with amenities like a rooftop infinity pool, barbeques and a fitness centre. The hotel is also just steps from the lakeside biking and jogging trail (so there’s always an opportunity to stay active in between winery visits). If you’re looking to incorporate wellness into your stay, consider a suite at The Cove Lakeside Resort, where the top–rated on–site Spa at the Cove offers massages, hydrotherapy and body treatments.

Day 2

Morning

There’s nothing like beginning your day watching the sun slowly peek right through the autumn trees as you breathe in the crisp morning air. Outfitted in hiking gear, fuel up for your trek at Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate  — an iconic bakery now 12 years strong. Grab a deliciously messy Okanagan peach or blackberry croissant (and the city’s best macarons to go) before experiencing the rhythms of harvest at the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market. 

Stock up on picnic treats for the trail from Little Schack and There & Back Again Farms, Taste of the Okanagan, Alchemy Bread Company, Triple Island Farms and the honey and garlic chicken “pepperoni” from Dueck Family Farm before hopping in the car for a drive to Kitsch Wines. Based in southeast Kelowna, the winery has a delightful single–vineyard riesling, blanc de blancs and pinot noir.

Afternoon

Next, it’s off to the Myra Canyon Trestles to take in the stunning panoramic views and spectacular fall colours from the old Kettle Valley Rail Trail as foliage shifts from green to gold. With a total of 18 curvy wooden trestles and two peekaboo tunnels along the way, the relatively flat ground is perfect for an injection of Okanagan sunshine. And no matter how far you decide to hike — or bike — there is always an Instagram–worthy spot for setting up a picnic and enjoying the morning’s market haul.

Alternatively, head to Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park to break a sweat. As you reach the top of the mountain, which is also a favourite among rock climbers, you will find a hangout spot with stone–carved lounger chairs. Shimmering lake views from above showcase the surrounding natural beauty like no other, making it an ideal spot to disconnect and recharge.

From the June Springs Road entrance for the Myra Canyon Trestles, just four kilometres away is Wiseacre Farm Distillery (open Saturdays only). Squeeze in a cheeky sampling of tiny–batch gin, vodka and liqueurs, then say hi to the other family members: Valentine the cow, two donkeys and a flock of chickens.

For an afternoon snack, try the Broken Anchor café inside the Codfathers Seafood Market — the Valley’s go–to fishmonger with massive Slow Fish affiliations — for a solid West Coast–sourced fish ’n’ chips.

Evening

Make a reservation at Waterfront Wines, named Vancouver Magazine’s best restaurant in the Okanagan for 12 years in a row. As one of the only Canadian chefs accepted into the International Sommelier Guild in 2001, Mark Filatow continues to raise the food and wine pairing bar for locals and tourists alike. Staples like the grilled peppercorn–crusted heritage Angus flat iron steak with fork mashed Sieglinde potatoes, seasonal veggies and bordelaise sauce or an ever–evolving riff on their equally delicious roasted Yarrow Meadow duck breast mingle with daily features from the land and sea with a guaranteed vegetable–forward option, too.

If you’re not ready to call it a night, zip through the lakeside boardwalk to BNA Brewing Co. or Jacks Kelowna for a cocktail before bed. 

Day 3

Morning

Sprout Bread is home to one of the best sourdoughs in the Valley. For breakfast, any day of the week, fill up on the breakfast sandwich with housemade pork sausage, topped with a gooey Sunshine Valley Farms egg yolk and roasted garlic aioli. Skipping the gluten, the savoury, crispy potato bowl comes with the option to add extra toppings — from crispy bacon bits and a duo of pickled jalapeño and onion to melty cheese that creates an almost custard–like sauce that chef Laticia Watson said she would gladly bathe in. Tucked away on the previously unassuming side street, it’s easy to see why the bakery became an instant hit — and why local brands like Okanagan Lifestyle Apparel and Man + Woman quickly decided to move in.

After breakfast, stroll down Bernard Avenue, known for its cool boutiques, stores and artisanal coffee shops. And once you’ve worked up an appetite from all that shopping, sneak in a must–try waffle cone from Parlour Ice Cream. Here, you will find flavours made with local ingredients ranging from Gellatly Nut Farm hazelnuts and lavender to preserved strawberries and Bean Scene coffee.

Afternoon 

Just across the William R. Bennett Bridge is Indigenous World Winery — B.C.’s only 100 percent Indigenous–owned winery. Here, you’ll taste fruit from the land that has supported and sustained the Syilx people for over 10,000 years. The La’p Cheet sparkling rosé — made from a blend of pinot noir and gamay noir — is a must–sip. (If you’re visiting during the work week, a trip to the Sncewips Heritage Museum is also recommended.)

Heading back over the bridge to South Kelowna, the cute red and white Little Tokyo Ramen trailer dishes up a hug–in–a–bowl. Parked beside Barn Owl Brewing (from Friday to Sunday), order the umami–laden traditional shoyu ramen with chashu (braised pork). Add a refreshing pint of Don’t Give a Hoot Pale Ale to cut through the richness.

Evening 

Recently voted Winery of the Year at the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada,  CedarCreek Estate Winery is an excellent place to end (even before the award). Start with a tasting inside the fancy farmhouse before moving next door to Home Block Restaurant for dinner.

No stranger to racking up accolades, Home Block’s chef Neil Taylor was part of the team at Vancouver’s Cibo Trattoria when it made the Air Canada enRoute Canada’s Best New Restaurants list in 2009. Keeping in line with CedarCreek’s holistic approach to farming, the set three–course dinner menu is dictated by whatever peak–season ingredients are available. Much like a chef’s table experience, a reservation here means you never quite know what you’re going to get — but that trust is all part of the magic.

Wine tours to book ahead

There are over 180 wineries in the Okanagan region, and all are within easy reach of Kelowna. There’s also no shortage of wine tours to choose from, but two top picks include the knowledgeable folks at Experience Wine Tours, run by top sommelier Matt Wentzell. If you prefer rolling in a 2022 Tesla, Farm to Glass Wine Tours is the newer kid on the block. 

From inspiring days outdoors to cozy evenings at farm–to–table restaurants, find what centres you in Kelowna this fall. Air Canada offers non–stop flights to Kelowna from Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Check out Tourism Kelowna’s packages and promotions and get started on planning your trip.