Begin this tour in Creston where five wonderful wineries are located: Baillie-Grohman, Red Bird, Skimmerhorn, William Tell and Wynnwood Cellars. The Creston Valley is a retreat for outdoor adventurers, foodies, creative souls and lovers of the land.
- Baillie-Grohman is a small family-owned vineyard and winery. The focus lies on cool climate varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. Visit the tasting room in the summer and enjoy a glass of wine and the stunning view accompanied by a light snack from the menu or bring along your own picnic. Tours available by appointment; please book by phone or email.
- Red Bird Estate Winery makes small lot wines that reflect the Terrior of the Kootenays – clean, crisp and fresh. Handpicked and gently handled, the grapes are grown at Cardinal Vineyards in the Creston Valley. The tasting room is open for walk-ins May long weekend through to Thanksgiving. Wines are available for purchase at the winery and a variety of other locations.
- Skimmerhorn Winery is small and family-operated. The Skimmerhorn Bistro is a seasonal restaurant with a focus on farm to table food ingredients sourced directly from the farms, gardens and ranches of local suppliers reflecting a commitment to sustainability. Visit the wine shop, enjoy a tour and tasting or relax at the unique bistro.
- William Tell Family Estate are producers of sparkling wine, hard cider, perry, sparkling cider and vinegars. The orchard is a mixed with planted apples, pears, peaches, plums and apricots. Open by private appointment only; products are available in a number of local establishments.
- Wynnwood Cellars has a unique location above Duck Lake in the tiny community of Wynndel (North Creston). Their wine is available in restaurants, at the Wynndel Store and at their on-site Tasting Room, open mid-May to mid-October.
The Creston Valley Tour Company offers half and full day tours to Baillie-Grohman, Skimmerhorn and Red Bird wineries. Included is wine tastings, transportation and snacks.
Travel west from Creston to Trail via Salmo and Hwy #3 (124 km / 77 mi)
Along the way:
- Salmo offers a quaint downtown, museum and rock murals.
- Take a side trip to Nelson (40 km north on Hwy#6). Nelson boasts a vivid past of Victorian architecture, cultural histories and a vibrant art scene. These qualities are complemented by world-class outdoor adventure plus great dining, shopping and lodging options. Ride the Streetcar #23 tramway at Lakeside Park & Prestige Resort. Wonderful farmers markets take place in summer every Wednesday and Saturdays.
Trail, established in the 1890s, is set alongside the Columbia River. Stroll downtown Trail’s ‘IncrEDIBLE’ Trail and help yourself to fruits and vegetables growing in sidewalk planters. The free tour of the Teck Trail Interpretive Centre is a must-do.
- Columbia Gardens Vineyard and Winery is a small production winery producing VQA quality wines. The BC VQA designation is the assurance that the wine you are purchasing is 100% from BC and has met rigorous quality regulations. Enjoy The Burl Tasting Room and gift shop. Wines can be sampled and tasted free of charge. During the summer, catered picnics in the vines are offered. And, the Grape Escape Guest House offers three beautiful shabby chic decorated rooms for overnights.
Trail to Castlegar is 26 km / 16 mi via Highway #22.
Trail to Rossland is 7 km / 4 mi via Highway #3B.
Castlegar is the centre of adventure; the home to an impressive network of trails, where hikers and cyclists enjoy the natural setting of the city and its vicinity.
Rossland, perched high in the Monashee Mountains, was the site of one of Canada’s richest 19th century gold strikes.
Rossland to Christina Lake is 75 km / 47 mi via Highway #3.
Christina lake is a summer family vacation destination. It offers a warm swimming lake, sandy beaches and mountain biking on the Columbia & Western Rail Trail.
Highway #3 from Christina Lake to Osoyoos is 144 km / 89 mi via Grand Forks.
- Located at the confluence of the Granby and Kettle Rivers, Grand Forks is proud of its mining and Doukhobor heritage.
- Osoyoos is Canada’s only true desert town, offering a plethora of First Nations culture, winery experiences and family recreation.
Travel north on Highway #97 to Kelowna (123 km / 77 mi) via Penticton.
- Osoyoos to Kelowna is known as the ‘wine route’ and is BC’s most productive area for vineyards and orchards. Be sure to stop along the way for a wine tour and fruit sampling.
- Penticton offers miles of beautiful beaches, wineries and orchard markets.
- Climb aboard the vintage Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland.
- The beautiful lake-front city of Kelowna plays host to numerous outdoor activities as well as events, entertainment and the arts.
Take Highway 397/97A north to Sicamous (127 km / 79 mi) via Vernon.
- The landscape surrounding Vernon is picturesque; see the O’Keefe Historical Ranch that highlights the beginning of ranching in the area.
- Armstrong is known for cheese, farmlands, produce and Farmers Markets.
- The town of Sicamous and the Shuswap Lake area are known as the Houseboating Capital of Canada. With over 1,000 kms of shoreline, Shuswap and Mara lakes (and vicinity) are perfect for boating, swimming, camping, fishing, hiking and biking.
TransCanada Highway #1 goes from Sicamous to Revelstoke (74 km / 46 mi).
Along the way:
CULINARY DELIGHTS FOR REVELSTOKE
OVERNIGHTING OPTIONS FOR REVELSTOKE
TAKE HIGHWAY #23 SOUTH FROM REVELSTOKE TO NAKUSP (100 km / 62 mi) TO VISIT THE VALLEY OF THE SPRINGS WINERY.
The village of Nakusp is set on the shores of the Upper Arrow Lake alongside the Monashee Mountains. It offers a quaint downtown with museum, art gallery and many eateries and shops. The area of course offers the popular Nakusp and Halcyon Hot Springs, a golf course and lakefront promenade and beach.
- Valley of the Springs Winery is located on a ridge with breathtaking panoramic views of Nakusp and the Arrow Lakes Valley. This craft winery has a tasting room with a retail wine store. Their award winning wines include white blend Vista, Gewurztraminer, Rivaner, Gamay and more. Enjoy wine, local cider, craft beer and live music on the patio lounge. A guest room with private deck and Jacuzzi tub is also available for overnight stays.
OVERNIGHTING OPTIONS FOR NAKUSP
Revelstoke to Golden is 148 km / 92 mi east on Highway #1
Along the way:
- Glacier National Park is known for ‘firsts’. It was BC’s first national park – here two British mountaineers introduced mountain climbing for recreational purposes in 1888. Enjoy the exceptional alpine scenery.
Golden to Cranbrook is 263 km / 163 mi south on Highway #95.
The mountain town of Golden is renowned for outdoor recreation and offers just about everything a traveller could want. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers a bike park in the summer, gondola sightseeing and the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant – Canada’s most elevated dining experience.
Along the way:
- Set in the Purcell Mountains, Bugaboo Provincial Park draws climbers from around the world to its airy, glacier-capped granite spires.
- Radium Hot Springs and Invermere have an extensive range of visitor services. And, hundreds of kilometres of world-class trails: Old Coach, Johnson & Kloosifier near Lake Lillian, Mount Swansea & Nipika Trails.
- Kimberley and Cranbrook both offer world-class mountain golf and an interesting history. The Kimberley Underground Mining Railway highlights the history of the Sullivan Mine. The Cranbrook History Centre showcases the largest collection of luxury travel cars in North America, including the restored Soo-Spokane Train and TransCanada Limited.
Cranbrook back to Creston is 106 km / 66 mi.
Along the way:
Moyie Lake Provincial Park offers a day-use area, camping, boat launch and sandy beach.
And, the village of Yahk offers ‘The house where the goats live’. They are the makers of quality goat milk soap products. The Yahk Soap Company features Canadian wilderness soaps, giggling goat soaps and many more. Watch soap being made too.
