With more than 50 wineries located within a 20 minute drive of the downtown area, Penticton is an ideal place to go wine touring.
Get the most of your experience by taking a Penticton wine tour. As well as offering the chance to gain some local, insider knowledge, it also means that no one has to drive!
With so many wineries in this area, there are also a lot of wine tour companies. As regular visitors to the wineries, we see and interact with these Penticton wine tour companies reasonably often. Some wineries have even shared their preference for specific tour operators with us!
Read on to discover my recommendations for the best Penticton wine tours, so you can choose the best fit for your budget and personal preferences.
Last updated March 2024. There are some affiliate links in this post – if you click one and make a purchase, we may receive a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
Penticton wine tours: an overview
The Naramata Bench is the destination for most Penticton wine tours, with a third of this wine region located within city limits. You’ll be spoiled for choice here, with the Bench being home to the highest concentration of boutique wineries anywhere in British Columbia.
But that’s not the only reason to visit. It’s also absolutely gorgeous, with the elevated vineyards gently sloping down to the sparkling waters of Okanagan Lake, which is backdropped by rugged mountains. It’s a little piece of heaven right here in British Columbia.
In this post, I’ll be focusing on Penticton wine tours to the Naramata Bench only. But most of the feature wine tour operators also offer excursions to other local wine regions, as described below.
Other local wine regions
Situated on the other side of Okanagan Lake, Summerland is another popular Penticton wine tour destination. This region features more than a dozen boutique wineries and has a more rustic ambience than the Naramata Bench.
Looking south of Penticton, there is a scattering of wineries on both sides of Skaha Lake. Continuing beyond Okanagan Falls, this small community hosts an elegant collection of wineries as well. This underrated region is less popular for Penticton wine tours at the current time but I don’t think that will last long!
The Similkameen Valley is even lesser known, despite grapes being grown in this area for decades. This pristine stretch of vineyards near Keremeos is surrounded by rugged mountains.
The Oliver and Osoyoos area receives the hottest temperatures of all wine regions in the Okanagan Valley, resulting in the most robust red wines. The drive from Penticton is relatively long (minimum 45 minutes one-way) but for red wine fans, it’ll be more than worth the time.
Penticton wine tour operators
It’s always nice to support local when you can. The following wine tour operators are located right here in Penticton.
Grape Escapes
Grape Escapes is a Penticton-based wine tour company offering social yet educational tours of the Naramata Bench. Wine industry-certified guides drive modern, luxurious high-top vans, all with air conditioning.
- The ‘Simply Sipping‘ tour includes visits to 4 wineries plus a gourmet picnic and lasts around 5 and a half hours
- The ‘Elevated Wine Experience’ also visits 4 wineries but includes premium tastings, bistro lunch and exclusive vineyard/cellar experiences
Tasting fees: Included
Private group tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: Yes, special tour
Other destinations: Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Similkameen Valley, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Grape Escapes
Sunshine and Wine Tours
Professional and attentive, the owners of Sunshine and Wine Tours have more than 10 years of experience providing Penticton wine tours. The company has two vehicles, the first with space for 11 people and the second with space for 6.
Naramata Bench wine tours usually include 5 winery visits and a stop for lunch (additional fee).
Tasting fees: Not included
Private wine tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: Yes
Other destinations: Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Oliver
Website: Sunshine and Wine Tours
Top Cat Tours
Top Cat Tours is Penticton’s longest-running wine tour company. Three different wine tours are offered – three hours (three wineries), four hours (four wineries) and six hours (five wineries and lunch stop).
Utilising a variety of air-conditioned vehicles from smaller vans to large buses, Top Cat can easily cater to different group sizes. It also allows them to have more availability than some of the other Penticton wine tour companies.
Tasting fees: Included
Private wine tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: Yes (private only)
Other destinations: Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Similkameen Valley, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Top Cat Tours
Grape Friends
In addition to excellent wine puns, Grape Friends specialises in fun, private, customisable tours. Guests are able to pick their own wine tour start time and choose 4 wineries to visit from an extensive list. Being a private tour, there is plenty of flexibility regarding the tour start time.
Naramata Bench wine tours last four hours with an optional lunch stop. Picnic lunch can be provided for an additional per-person fee. It’s also possible to be dropped off at a dinner restaurant and picked up afterwards.
Tasting fees: Not included
Private wine tours: Yes, as standard (see details above)
Bachelorette groups: Yes
Other destinations: Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Grape Friends
Epic Cycling
Do you live to ride? Epic Cycling may be the perfect match. This Penticton-based tour company leads guided cycle rides on the Naramata Bench.
Three levels of tours are available – Silver, Gold and Platinum – each with different inclusions such as rental bikes, lunch and support vehicles. There is a high level of customisation possible with the Platinum packages, with multi-day tours an option.
Tasting fees: Included
Private wine tours: Yes
Other destinations: Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Epic Cycling
Hoodoo Adventures
We’ll finish this list of Penticton-based businesses with one of the most unique wine tours around. Hoodoo Adventures’ Kayak Wine Tour combines adventure with wine tasting.
After a relaxing 1.5-hour long guided kayak on beautiful Okanagan Lake, guests enjoy a picnic lunch and 3 winery visits. It’s a great way to ‘earn’ the wine tasting and experience the area from a different perspective.
Hoodoo Adventures also offers ‘Velo Vino’ cycle wine tours. At the time of writing, all tours are private.
Tasting fees: Not included
Private wine tours: Yes (see details above)
Website: Hoodoo Adventures
Other Penticton wine tours
With this area being so popular for wine touring, there are plenty of other Okanagan Valley businesses offering Penticton wine tours.
Vines and Views
Base in Kelowna, Vines and Views has a reputation for fun and friendly guides. The tours offer great value for money as well, with all tastings included. The 5-hour Naramata Bench tour features 5 wineries, including iconic fruit winery Elephant Island.
Getting married soon? Vines and Views offer all-inclusive private Bachelorette tours, with the bridge going free with at least 10 other paying guests.
Tasting fees: Included
Private wine tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: Yes
Other destinations: Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Vines and Views
Sagebrush Tours
As an ecotourism tour operator, Sagebrush aims to provide an immersive wine-tasting experience by including stories of the Okanagan’s rich natural history. Knowledgeable and passionate guides drive luxury high-top vans, all with air conditioning.
Half-day tours with Sagebrush include visits to 4 wineries. The full-day tours feature an extra winery and a stop for lunch at Hillside Winery Bistro or Time Winery (additional fee).
Tasting fees: Included
Private wine tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: n/a
Other destinations: Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Sagebrush Tours
Sip Happens
This family-owned and operated company is one of the few offering Penticton wine tours all year round. Service is a priority, with the tours blending luxury with a relaxed vibe. Smart Mercedes Benz vans provide a very comfortable ride.
- The ‘Sip Disturber’ half-day tour lasts around 4 hours and includes visits to 4 wineries
- The ‘Holy Sip’ full-day tour is 6 hours long and includes an extra winery and a long lunch break at the Restaurant at Popular Grove or the Naramata Inn (guest pays for lunch)
Tasting fees: Yes
Private wine tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: Yes
Other destinations: Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Sip Happens
Vivid Tours
Founded during the pandemic, Vivid is one of the fastest-growing wine tour operators in the Okanagan Valley. Comfort is a priority, with the entire vehicle fleet consisting of luxurious (and distinctive!) black and pink high-top vans.
Vivid’s half-day Naramata Bench tour lasts four hours and includes four wineries with a stop for lunch at a winery bistro (additional fee). The full-day tour is a couple of hours longer and features an extra winery and lunch at a local winery restaurant.
Tasting fees: Included
Private wine tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: Yes
Other destinations: Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Vivid Tours
Wicked Wine Tours
Wicked Wine Tours is a Kelowna based wine tour operator with a sassy side. They offer a full day Penticton wine tour, visiting five wineries in around 7.5 hours. There is a lunch stop at Time Winery in downtown Penticton, though the meal is not included.
Wicked use 11-14 person modern passenger vans only, ensuring a comfortable and personable small group experience.
Tasting fees: Included
Private wine tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: Yes
Other destinations: Osoyoos
Website: Wicked Wine Tours
Okanagan Wine Country Tours
Okanagan Wine Country Tours was the very first wine tour company in the entire Valley. Expect to enjoy a stress-free tour led by knowledgeable and professional yet personable guides. The type of vehicle depends on the group size but all offer luxurious comfort.
The full-day Naramata Bench wine tour lasts 6.5 hours and includes visits to 5 wineries. A vineyard lunch reservation is included in the tour, though there is an additional fee for the meal itself.
Tasting fees: Included
Private wine tours: Yes
Bachelorette groups: Yes
Other destinations: Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos
Website: Okanagan Wine Country Tours
