Similkameen Wineries

Keremeos BC, Cawston BC

The Similkameen wineries are a designated BC wine country region of their own, and some are known for their organic roots. Vineyards in this area extend from Keremeos BC to Chopaka, British Columbia, on the United States border.

The Similkameen Valley region lies just west of the southern Okanagan Valley, and is connected to the Okanagan by the Richter Pass. The village of Keremeos lies in the heart of the region. The valley elevation is 380 metres (1300 ft.), higher than the Okanagan, bringing slightly cooler evenings but still maintaining the desert heat during the summer, which lends well to Similkameen BC wineries and wine making.

Wineries in the Keremeos and Cawston area are growing,
and in 2009, Air Canada's En Route magazine, Similkameen wineries were named as one of the
'World's 5 Best Wine Regions You've Never Heard Of'
- yet!

Some Quick Facts from the Similkameen Wineries Association:

6.4% of BC Grape Acreage (2008)

36 Vineyards

580 acres of grapes (up from 335 in 2006)

700 acres of Certified Organic orchards

12 Wineries (3 of which produce Fruit Wines)

About a 30 minute drive from the city of Penticton, and a 20 minute drive from Osoyoos BC, Keremeos BC is a small agricultural community in the heart of the Similkameen and has long been known for it's organic farming practices.

On your Okanagan wine tours, you can easily skip over to the Similkameen and choose some wonderful wineries to visit. Most are open from May to October. You may wish to call ahead to verify hours and tours, and if you're visiting during the off season.

Keremeos Area Wineries

Herder Winery & Vineyards 2582 Upper Bench Road Keremeos BC Phone: (250) 499-5595

K Mountain Vineyards (Holman Lang Wineries) 3045 Highway 3 Keremeos BC. Phone: (250) 499-7052

Robin Ridge Winery 2686 Middle Bench Road, Keremeos, BC. Open May to October. Phone: (250) 499-5568

Saint Laszlo Estate Winery Site 95 Comp 8 Keremeos BC Phone: (250) 499-2856

Cawston Area Wineries

seven stones vineyard similkameen wineries

Seven Stones Winery 1143 Highway 3 Cawston, BC Phone: (250) 499-2144

Cerelia Vineyards & Estate Winery 2235 Ferko Road Cawston, BC Phone: (250) 499-8000

Crowsnest Vineyards 2036 Surprise Drive Cawston, BC Phone: (250) 499-5129

Forbidden Fruit Winery 620 Sumac Road Cawston, BC Phone: (250) 499-2649

EauVivre Winery & Vineyards 716 Lowe Drive Cawston, BC Phone: (250) 499-2655

Orofino Vineyards 2152 Barcelo Road Cawston, BC Phone: (250) 499-0068

Rustic Roots Winery 2238 Highway 3 Cawston, BC Phone: (250) 499-2754

On your tours of Similkameen wineries, you may want to explore the area surrounding Keremeos. Some places that are interesting to visit include the Red Bridge, nearby Mascot Gold Mines, and the Grist Mill, which also has wine related events during the summer.