Wineries of Bottleneck Drive

These are wineries and cideries of Summerland, British Columbia. Summerland is one of the small towns of the world famous Okanagan wine region. Located on the west side of Okanagan Lake south of Kelowna and north of Penticton. The district is famous for "Bottleneck drive", a system of roads connecting a large number of wineries.

Nineteen wineries and 2 ciders belong to the Bottle Neck Association. Some on or near the lake on the east side of highway 97and others on the hills on the west side with their vineyards sloping towards the lake.

Among the oldest winery is the region is Sumac Ridge established in 1979 by Harry McWatters (founder of the BC Wine Institute) and Lloyd Schmidt. It was later sold to Vincor and now owned by The Ontario Teachers Pension Fund. Their first plantings were Gewürztraminer and Chenin Blanc.

Thornhaven Estate Winery vineyards were first planted in 1996. Jack Fraser and family purchased Thornhaven Winery in 2005 from Jack’s cousin Dennis Fraser. Thornhaven sits on Little Giant’s Head Mountain, with a spectacular view of both Okanagan Lake and the magnificent surrounding mountains. They have a total of 18.5 acres in three vineyards planted to Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Orange Muscat, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer.

Dirty Laundry Vineyards

Among the better know wineries is Dirty Laundry Vineyards. Originally established around 1978 and named Scherzinger Vineyards after the owners Edgar and Elizabeth Scherzinger. Who removed the cherry threes planting Gewürztraminer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They sold the grapes to Sumac Ridge before establishing their own label after 17 years. The winery was sold in 2005 to Ron and Cher Watkins, who changed the name to Dirty Laundry in turn they sold it to Bob Campbell, Hermann Teichtmeister and partnership in 2007. This lead to a major enhance of the entire operation.

Summergate Estate winery, Mike & Gillian Stohler gave up the city life and moved to the Okanagan in 2003. They bought the vineyard where winemaker Eric von Krosigk had already planted about nine acres of grapes. Their dream was to have an organic winery and raise their family (five children) Mike looks after the vineyard and Gillian makes the wines. They produce two unique wines Kerner and Muscat Ottonel.

Haywire is perhaps the most progressive winery in recent years The portfolio includes pinot Gris, chardonnay, pinot noir, gamay noir traditional sparkling wine, and three natural wines. Founded in 2005 by Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie, “haywire” is an old Canadianism that refers to wires used for baling hay. Christine and Steve Lornie built Okanagan Crush Pad on Switchback Organic Vineyard in 2011. The winemaking team includes world renowned Tuscan-based consultant Alberto Antonini . The Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines 2014 Haywire The Bub.

Sage Hills Organic Vineyard

Sage Hills Organic Vineyard & Estate Winery was created in 2006 by Rick and Leah Thrussell. They bought the 11-acre Dickinson Farm in Summerland and began to build their home and reshape the old peach and plum orchard into land suitable for growing grapes. In 2007, they planted Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer.

view from Sonoran Estate

Sonoran's boutique style winery specializes in Icewines as well as white Germanic wines & red Bordeaux-style wines and recently Port style wines. The winery is named after Sonoran Desert is a wide stretch of land that runs the length of North America from Mexico to British Columbia. Owners Arjan and Ada Smit moved from Holland to Ontario in 1982. In 1989 they moved to BC and purchased the land to begin the family winery. The Full Moon Bistro is open during the peak season. They have a B&B.

Back Door Cellars is owned by Pieter Smits, also owner of Sonoran. When Pieter Smits purchased the Summerland property, it had actually sat abandoned for 7 years. Tragically, there had been no water, no pruning... nothing except neglected grape vines and a lot of potential. He reclaimed the land and opened the winery in 2016 producing Nice Rack Wines

TH Wines A small 500 -750 case winery;Tyler Harlton is the owner His goal is to develop a style that honours the Okanagan terroir while giving consumers a style that is unique. They work by hand--picking the grapes, sorting the grapes, fermenting the grapes-- and they are active in the by hand community, comprising barrel makers, graphic designers, local restaurants, and farmers. The care and attention brought to the wines by our hands, and those of our community, are reflected in the wine

Giant Head Estate Winery overlooks Lake Okanagan from the sandy benches below Giant’s Head Mountain in Summerland. From the Wine Shop there is an excellent view of that extinct volcano's dramatic likeness to a to a human face. The winery is owned by John Glavina and Jinny Lee . They first purchased the land in 2004

Heaven's Gate Estate Winery located Happy Valley Road . Owners Andy and Diane Sarglepp decide to make the switch from Peaches (Triple A Orchards) to grape growers. In 2009 the work began opening the winery in 2011. Peaceful serenity, natural beauty and romantic ambiance … come discover the heaven we have created.

Lunessence Winery Opened 2015 owned by Si Zhizhong. Mr Si is an environmental scientist who fell in love with the uniqueness of the wetlands in the vineyard as well as the presence of all the wildlife that accompany it. Lunessence invokes the owners respect for the essence of nature and the role the moon plays in environmentally sensitive farming. The Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines 2014 Riesling Icewine

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards was originally called called Greta Ranch. when the Fitzpatrick family purchased the property in 1994. They were the founders of Cedar Creek in Kelowna. When they sold Cedar Creek they closed Greta Ranch renovated the property and winery re-opening in 2016 specializing in Sparkling wines.

Saxon Winery is owned by Paul and Jayne Graydon who purchased the winery in 2011. In 2003 they emigrated from the UK where they had grown up and established their lives in the Kent area. They became Canadian Citizens in 2010. They called themselves ‘Saxon Winery’ after their English heritage from centuries past. There son Oliver works at the winery. Tom DiBello is the winemaker. Jayne is a director of Bottleneck Drive. They have ten acres, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Merlot. They also grow Léon Millot which can also be known as “Leon Millot Rouge” is a red varietal of hybrid grapes used for wine.

Silkscarf Winery is among the newer wineries. Manoff his wife Ruth and their son Idan decided to follow their passion and devote their time and efforts to producing excellent wines. Tara their daughter in-law is also involved in the winery. They purchased 8.5 acres near Summerland and began their dream. The winery has a panoramic view of the blue Okanagan Lake and the spectacular Giant's Head Mountain. They have been growing varieties such as Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Cabernet-Sauvignon Merlot, Pinot-Noir Malbec and Syrah in over 10 acres of vine

Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery owned by Summerland Sweets that has been in business since 1962. Ted Atkinson is the companies founder. They produce 21 fruit wines. Thirteen table wines and eight dessert wines

8th Generation Vineyards With a passion for winemaking Bernd and Stefanie Schales came to Canada. The Schales family started in the grape business in 1783 in Germany, Bernd and Stefanie Schales are the 8th generation to work with grapes
While Stefanie pursued a career in architectural design, Bernd carried on with his family's craft, and studied viticulture, oenology, and business management at the University of Weinsberg. He worked in New Zealand and South Africa before making the bold decision to move to Canada and the Okanagan Valley to begin their own winery.

Evolve Cellars

Evolve Cellars They along came Harry! Harry McWatters and the ENCORE Vineyards Ltd. Although the winemaker producing amazing wines is Lawrence Buhler. The name here is that of Legionary Harry McWatters the who co-founded Sumac Ridge.

Nomad Cider,Dominion and Summerland Heritage Cider Company are the three cider houses on the drive. Summerland Heritage is a collaboration of three Orchardist owners Kinvig, Bob Thompson and Ron Vollo who began making cider nearly twenty years ago.

New! Savard Vines The winery is owned by Lori and Michael Savard . The construction of winery building began in the spring of 2015. With the assistance of a consultant winemaker, the Savards managed their first crush and fermentation on site. For several years, their grapes were sold to Road 13 and Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. Michael's vision is now becoming reality as we soon will open our doors as 'Savard Vines.

Yes the magnificent vineyards of Summerland's Bottleneck Drive.

Summerland and Peachland Wineries

Where to stay ~ Where to Dine ~ Weddings in the Vineyard