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

The best part of this Lake Country outing is the mix of wine and countryside. You ride between family-run vineyards, organic rows patrolled by heritage chickens, and a large estate with tunnels and wine caves, rather than spending the day in one tasting room. The route is handled by Metropolis Wine Tours, with pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle and a group limited to 12.

I like the personal service and the fact that pickup and drop-off can be arranged at hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and campgrounds. I also like the practical extras: water, snacks, and tasting fees are covered, so you can focus on the wines and the views.

The main thing to watch is the schedule. Each stop is listed at about 30 minutes, and the full outing can run from three to six hours. You may get a brisk tasting day rather than a slow lunch-and-linger experience, and lunch is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Six wineries appear in the supplied route: The tour is promoted as a five-winery outing, but the listed schedule includes Arrowleaf, Blind Tiger, Ex Nihilo, Intrigue, Peak Cellars, and Ancient Hill.
• A small group keeps the day personal: The vehicle holds no more than 12 people, and guides such as Chris and Rod are part of the experience.
• Pickup goes beyond central Kelowna: Full-day pickup areas include Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Summerland, and Penticton.
• Your tasting costs are mostly handled: Wine tastings, bottled water, and snacks are included, though ice wine or specialty pours may cost extra.
• The wineries offer different stories: You will see family ownership, organic farming, Swiss and Australian winemaking training, a cave-filled estate, and a winery born from a shared artistic idea.
• Plan around the clock: The usual start is 11:00 am, and the experience returns to its meeting point.

Why Lake Country makes a strong wine day

Lake Country sits north of Kelowna, where vineyards, orchards, mountains, and Okanagan Lake create the setting for the tour. The drive between wineries is part of the reward. You are not simply moving from one tasting counter to another. You are watching the countryside change through the windows of a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.

This format is useful if you want to taste wine without driving. It also saves you the trouble of building a route across several properties, checking tasting hours, and arranging a safe ride back. Your guide handles the road while you pay attention to the view and the glass in front of you.

The group limit of 12 matters. It is small enough for the guide to explain the stops and keep the day moving without the feel of a large coach excursion. Chris has been praised for his sense of humor and strong grasp of the wineries and local area. Rod has also made a particularly good impression by providing smooth pickup and drop-off at home. Those details point to an experience where the driver is more than a person behind the wheel.

The tour starts at 11:00 am from the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort at 1310 Water Street in Kelowna. Pickup can also be arranged at many lodging and camping locations. Confirm your exact pickup location when booking, especially if you are staying outside Kelowna.

Arrowleaf Cellars: a family beginning and a modern tasting room

Arrowleaf Cellars opens the day with a family-run story and a clear focus on place. Winemaker Manuel Zuppiger trained in Switzerland and later refined his craft in Australia before returning to British Columbia. His stated aim is terroir-driven wine, meaning wine shaped by the character of its growing area.

The winery opened in 2003, working first with 2001 reds and 2002 whites. Its tasting room arrived later, in 2014, and was designed by award-winning architect Robert Mackenzie. You get about 30 minutes here, with admission included.

That short stop gives you a first look at how the tour works. You will taste, hear some background, and then move on rather than settle in for a long meal. If architecture interests you, the tasting room adds another reason to pay attention. If your ideal wine day includes a lengthy tasting conversation, the half-hour limit may feel tight.

Blind Tiger Vineyards: organic farming with chickens in the rows

Blind Tiger offers one of the more unusual stops. This small family-run vineyard began as an alpaca farm before the owners planted vines. Riesling and Gewürztraminer went into the ground in 2010, followed later by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The vineyard received organic certification from the North Okanagan Organic Association in 2013. Its farming approach uses natural compost fertilizer, limited chemical intervention, and sulphur to control fungus on developing grapes. Heritage chickens roam the rows to help with pest control.

That last detail is not just decoration. It gives you a simple, visible way to understand how the property works. You can connect the wine in your glass with the decisions made among the vines. Blind Tiger opened to the public in 2015, so it also has the feel of a newer, personal family project rather than a large commercial operation.

Again, allow about 30 minutes. The stop is a good fit if you care about vineyard practices and small-scale production. You will not have time to inspect every part of the farm, so listen closely and use the tasting as your main introduction.

Ex Nihilo Vineyards: wine shaped by an artistic idea

Ex Nihilo brings a different story to the route. The winery grew from the shared dream of Decoa and Jeff Harder, who found inspiration in a sculpture called Ex Nihilo during a trip connected with Napa Valley and San Francisco. The name comes from Latin and means out of nothing.

The sculpture itself was created by Frederick Hart, and the original work adorns the west entrance of Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. That unusual artistic connection gives the winery a sense of purpose beyond grapes and bottles. The idea began as a spark, then became a working winery and an award-winning Okanagan producer.

Your visit lasts about 30 minutes, with the tasting included. Look for the connection between the winery’s name, its art, and its identity. This is a stop for you if you enjoy the story behind a place, not only the wine. The limitation is the same as at the other properties: a short visit can introduce the idea, but it cannot tell the whole story.

Intrigue Wines: a partnership built around curiosity

Intrigue Wines was founded in 2008 by two families who wanted to pursue wine together. The partners bring very different backgrounds: winemaking, accounting, internet entrepreneurship, and healthcare advising.

That mix makes Intrigue a useful reminder that Okanagan wine is not produced by one type of person. Different skills support a small winery, from vineyard and cellar work to business planning and customer contact. The partnership also gives the stop a human angle during a day filled with different approaches to wine.

Plan for another 30-minute tasting. The benefit here is variety. After a family vineyard, an organic farm, and an art-inspired winery, Intrigue adds a story about cooperation and shared interest. If you prefer a long, technical tasting, the pace may again feel fast. If you like comparing different winery personalities in one day, it fits well.

Peak Cellars: broad views and 300 metres of tunnels

Peak Cellars provides the grandest physical setting listed on the route. The Carrs Landing estate covers 300 acres, with views across orchards, vineyards, rolling mountains, and Okanagan Lake. The property has 110 acres of vines, 300 metres of winding tunnels, and 12,000 square feet of cave space for storing and aging wine.

That scale changes the feel of the day. Earlier stops focus more on family beginnings, farming choices, and creative identity. Peak Cellars shows how a large estate can make wine production part of the visitor experience. The European inspiration behind the property is reflected in its tunnels and cave areas.

You have about 30 minutes here, so do not expect a full property tour unless the day’s operation allows it. You will want to keep your eyes open for the views, since the setting is one of the main reasons this stop earns its place. The estate is also a good point for understanding why an air-conditioned vehicle helps. You can enjoy the open countryside without worrying about the drive between properties.

Ancient Hill Estate Winery: a final chance for something different

Ancient Hill Estate Winery is listed as the final stop, with about 30 minutes included. Its main appeal on this route is a selection of wines that may not be available at many other wineries.

That makes Ancient Hill useful as a closing stop. After tasting familiar varieties and comparing several winery styles, you have a chance to try something less common. The supplied details do not identify the specific wines, so do not book this tour expecting a guaranteed varietal or specialty bottle. Treat it as an opportunity to find something outside your usual list.

There is also a small scheduling wrinkle here. The tour is described as visiting five wineries, yet the detailed route names six properties. Ask Metropolis Wine Tours to confirm the exact route for your date. Winery operations, seasonal opening hours, or the day’s timing may affect which stops are included.

What the $163.87 price really covers

At $163.87 per person, this is not simply a collection of tasting fees. The price includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, door-to-door pickup and drop-off, bottled water, snacks, and wine tasting fees. That bundle gives the tour real value if you do not have a car or want to avoid appointing a driver.

You also pay for route planning and time. Five advertised wineries, or six listed stops, would be difficult to organize efficiently on your own. The guide keeps the day moving, helps with the local setting, and provides the social ease that comes with a small group.

Lunch is not included, and provincial sales tax is extra. Wine and food purchases are also your responsibility. Ice wine and specialty wines may carry an additional tasting charge. Eat before departure or bring enough money and time for food if your schedule allows, since a tasting day can stretch from three to six hours.

The value is strongest for visitors who want convenience and several different wineries in one outing. It is less compelling for someone who already has a designated driver, a rental car, and plenty of time to visit fewer wineries at a slower pace.

Timing, pickup, and the feel of the day

The listed start time is 11:00 am, with the activity returning to the meeting point. The duration varies widely, from about three to six hours. That range likely reflects the number of stops, driving distances, pickup arrangements, and the pace at the wineries, so keep your afternoon flexible.

Pickup is offered at most hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and campgrounds. Full-day pickup areas include Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Summerland, and Penticton. The Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort is the stated starting point, but you should confirm the pickup details rather than assume every address is covered in the same way.

The maximum group size is 12. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this wine tour

I would choose this outing if you want to taste across Lake Country without driving. It suits couples, small groups, and solo visitors who like a social day with a guide but do not want a large bus.

It is also a good match for anyone interested in how wineries differ. Arrowleaf offers a family and winemaker story. Blind Tiger brings organic farming and chickens among the vines. Ex Nihilo connects wine with sculpture. Intrigue shows a partnership of varied skills. Peak Cellars supplies the large estate setting, while Ancient Hill may offer less common wines.

You should think twice if lunch is central to your wine-day plans. No meal is included, and the 30-minute stops leave limited time for a relaxed restaurant visit. You should also confirm whether five or six wineries are planned, since the supplied details do not match on that point.

Should you book the Lake Country Scenic Sip tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized tasting route, safe transportation, personal pickup, and a small group. The strongest reasons are the range of winery stories, the included tasting fees and snacks, and guides such as Chris and Rod who help shape the day.

Skip it if you want to choose every winery yourself or spend an hour at each property. The short tasting windows and uncertain three-to-six-hour duration favor variety and convenience over a slow, detailed winery visit.

Before paying, confirm the number of stops, your pickup address, and any extra charges for ice wine or specialty pours. If those details suit your plans, this is a practical way to see Lake Country, taste across several producers, and leave the driving to someone else.

FAQ

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

The listed price is $163.87 per person. Provincial sales tax is not included.

How long does the wine tour last?

The tour takes approximately three to six hours. The listed start time is 11:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, 1310 Water Street, Kelowna, British Columbia.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered at most hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and campgrounds. Full-day pickup areas include Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Summerland, and Penticton.

How many wineries are included?

The tour is described as visiting five wineries, but the detailed route lists six stops: Arrowleaf Cellars, Blind Tiger Vineyards, Ex Nihilo Vineyards, Intrigue Wines, Peak Cellars, and Ancient Hill Estate Winery. Confirm the exact number for your date.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snacks, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, door-to-door pickup and drop-off, and tasting fees. Ice wine or specialty wine tastings may cost extra.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and wine or food purchases are also separate.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.