Kelowna has long been admired for its sparkling lake views, mountain landscapes, and farm-fresh culinary scene — but now it has an impressive new accolade. Recently named Canada’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Kelowna is officially on the world stage as a destination where food, wine, and culture come together in extraordinary ways. And while the Okanagan Valley is no stranger to wine lovers, the lesser-known boutique wineries tucked just outside the city offer some of the region’s most memorable experiences.
What UNESCO Really Recognizes
Kelowna’s new UNESCO City of Gastronomy status celebrates more than its restaurants and wineries — though with over 500 dining establishments and a thriving wine culture, those alone are impressive. It honors a community deeply connected to the land, supported by local agriculture that covers over half the region’s land and contributes $3.6 billion to the economy.
But accolades only scratch the surface. To truly understand why Kelowna deserves this global spotlight, you have to experience the region, glass in hand, surrounded by the glacial-carved valleys that make the Okanagan one of North America’s most compelling and quietly impressive wine regions.
Visiting the region during the shoulder season in November is a surprisingly perfect time to explore. The Okanagan Valley is still painted in golden fall colors, and the weather remains mild, making it an ideal time to experience the region without the summer crowds.
The Royal Treatment
I checked into The Royal Kelowna, whose luxury condo-style suites offer the perfect combination of comfort and convenience, especially for longer stays.
My trip began with an intimate in-suite dinner prepared by Chef Bernard Casavant, who crafted a locally inspired menu paired with wines from some of the region’s standout wineries, including Sandhill Wines, Gray Monk Estate Winery, and Red Rooster Winery. The evening set the tone for the days ahead—an immersion in the valley’s creative culinary and winemaking culture.
© Amy Harris
The Fall in the Okanagan farm-to-table dinner highlighted the best of the season with fresh, local ingredients. The meal started with a meticulously hand-cut beetroot and apple tartare with lemon thyme yogurt and roasted hazelnuts, followed by a warm autumn garden broth with lemongrass, ginger, vegetables, and wild mushrooms.
A crisp Okanagan Orchard Salad featured roasted pears, shaved fennel, arugula, spiced pumpkin seeds, chèvre, and a light apple cider-apricot dressing. The main course was a smoked wild salmon fillet served with quinoa pilaf, charred broccolini and carrots, brussels sprout leaves, and a citrus miso sauce. Dessert was a spiced peach-raspberry crumble with steel-cut oat streusel, lemon curd ice cream, and peach-cherry sauce—a sweet and seasonal finish to the meal.
Biking the Okanagan Vineyards
One of the highlights of the trip was a 30-kilometer e-bike ride with Lakeside Eco-Sports through the vibrant fall foliage. Along the route, three boutique wineries revealed the diversity and creativity that embody the spirit of the Okanagan and helped Kelowna earn its UNESCO status.
Hidden Vines, a small operation run by winemaker Trevor Edwards, offered a lineup that showcased both experimental techniques and classic varietals, including a beautifully balanced Riesling that quickly became a favorite.
At Spearhead Winery—named Canada’s top small winery in 2024—my guide Jenny walked me through their “Dual Citizen” series, made from Washington-grown grapes, before introducing me to their expressive Pinot Noir, even letting me taste grapes straight off the vine. The grapes have a tart finish, but do bear a resemblance to the finished wine flavor.
From there, I visited Meadow Vista, where honey wines and fruit-driven blends showcased Kelowna’s creativity beyond traditional winemaking. A blackberry sangria cocktail in particular captured the region’s playful, approachable style.
Drinking for Dinner
An evening at Quail’s Gate allowed me to indulge in a sparkling-focused AILM estate wine tasting that traced the craftsmanship behind their Blanc de Blancs, rosé sparkling, and reserve brut—each reflecting the valley’s unique glacial soils and cool-climate finesse.
Dinner at The Old Vines Restaurant at Quail’s Gate is a true celebration of British Columbia’s rich culinary landscape, offering a dynamic menu of wine-led, contemporary dishes inspired by the region’s finest seasonal farms and suppliers. With its warm ambiance and sweeping vineyard views, the restaurant invites guests to bring a hearty appetite and a love for exceptional wine.
During my visit, I indulged in the 63 Acres beef ribeye, perfectly prepared and bursting with flavor, alongside saffron-poached apples paired with creamy Tanto Latte burrata. Fresh oysters on the half shell and the restaurant’s signature house-made sourdough bread service rounded out the experience, creating a meal that was both elegant and deeply satisfying.
The Land of the Okanagan
What struck me throughout the journey was how the Okanagan’s landscape shapes its wine. The region sits in a valley carved by ancient glaciers, creating diverse microclimates that give winemakers incredible freedom to experiment.
Yet despite the region’s rising prestige, tastings never felt pretentious. Every winemaker and guide emphasized the same philosophy: what matters most is whether you enjoy the wine.
That ethos was especially clear at Peak Cellars, where Wine Club Manager Cathi led a thoughtful tasting designed to elevate beginners and enthusiasts alike. She encouraged guests to treat wine tasting like “dating the wine”—to swirl, sip, and revisit each pour multiple times to understand its character.
Their lineup ranged from refreshing sparkling Riesling to elegant whites and a collaborative red made with Washington grapes, each reflecting the valley’s depth and versatility.
After the tasting, a wine-paired lunch at Peak Cellars’ Garden Bistro offered an authentic taste of the Okanagan, where every dish reflected the seasonal bounty grown just steps from the kitchen. The meal began with warm house-made sourdough served alongside whipped seasonal butter, followed by a beautifully arranged BC cheese and charcuterie board featuring local artisanal cheeses, cured meats, garden preserves, red wine mustard, and toasted focaccia.
The heirloom baby beets with creamy stracciatella showcased the kitchen’s commitment to fresh, ingredient-driven cuisine, while the classic Margherita pizza—wood-fired and fragrant—captures the essence of the region’s rustic flavors. Paired with estate wines, it became an immersive culinary experience rooted in place, freshness, and the surrounding landscape.
A Sparkling Ending
I ended my stay with a restorative visit to Sparkling Hill Resort, an architectural jewel built by the Swarovski crystal family. Overlooking the dramatic Okanagan landscape, it was the perfect place to reflect on a trip defined by warm hospitality, captivating wines, and a region that deserves far more attention on the global stage.
Kelowna may be Canada’s newest UNESCO City of Gastronomy, but after exploring its beautiful wineries and meeting the passionate makers behind them, it’s clear the title is well deserved—and just the beginning.
With world-class wineries, unpretentious tasting rooms, deep-rooted food traditions, and a new global distinction, Kelowna is no longer just a beautiful place to sip wine — it’s a leader in sustainable, culturally rich gastronomy.
Whether biking beneath golden autumn leaves, tasting small-batch Pinot Noir, or learning to “date your wine,” visitors discover a region that charms through warmth, creativity, and authenticity.
Special thanks to my travel hosting partners: Destination British Columbia, Westjet, Tourism Kelowna, Tourism Vernon, Lakeside Eco-Sports, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and The Royal Kelowna by Bellstar Hotels.
If You Go:
- Kelowna Airport (YLW) has direct flights daily from Seattle and across Canada
- If you want to take the scenic driving route Kelowna is located between two major Canadian cities. Kelowna is within four hours from Vancouver and seven hours from Calgary.
- If you stay in downtown Kelowna, you can easily walk or bike to main attractions. If you plan to explore the beautiful countryside with outdoor activities, a car rental is a good idea.
- Check out Tourism Kelowna and Tourism Vernon as you plan your trip
You May Also Enjoy Reading:
Insider’s Guide to Okanagan Lake Wine: Exploring Summerland and Naramata
Lake Country’s Renaissance: How Two Wineries Are Redefining Wine Tourism in the Okanagan
Exploring Award-Winning Wineries on Vancouver Island, Canada
Read more from Amy on her blog: TheTravelAddict.com
