Why do you not guarentee which wineries will be visited on a particular wine tour?

Each winery has its own schedule of events that change frequently. We do not like to bring our clients to a winery that is crowded or understaffed. The last thing that our clients want to see at a winery is a long line of tour buses, so we reserve the right to change it up at the last minute to ensure that your Okanagan wine experience is the best that it can be. Many people book a particular tour because they want to see a particular winery that they may have heard of. Please let us know when you book your tour and we'll do our very best to get you to that special place.

How far in advance do I have to book?

We take Wine Tour bookings as far in advance as our customers would like to book, so as a consequence, we sell out the odd day far in advance. For that reason we recommend booking your tour as soon as you know which day you'd like to go. Keep in mind that you can cancel your tour (unless its a private group tour) until 7 days in advance without penalty.

Can you pick us up outside of Kelowna?

Yes, but we may need to make special arrangements that may include an additional charge. We can also pick you up at a central location in Kelowna (perhaps a major hotel, or park) but we'll make you promise not to drive if you've been tasting and feel the effects of alcohol. Please contact us and let us know where you'll be so that we can make a plan. :-)

What time do the tours operate?

Our tour pick-up and drop-off schedules vary depeding upon the specific tour and the time of year. Please do not make definite plans for immediately after your tour. Sometimes the tours go a little late or the traffic might be heavy. Customized and private group wine tours will operate on any schedule. Please call us for details.

What if I'm not a wine drinker?

You're not alone, but be careful because we are guilty of converting some of the most die-hard wine skeptics! Once you see how the grapes are grown, harvested and lovingly crafted into the finest wines, you may not be able to resist a tasting that will convince you why so many people enjoy Okanagan wines. Its so much more than just a beverage ... its an experience that's different for everyone. You don't actually have to taste the wine though to experience the beauty and hospitality of our local wineries. All have very quaint shops, and most have spectacular views of the Okanagan Valley. Furthermore, your guide will endeavor to point out many attractions as you travel around the valley, that don't necessarily have anything to do with wine. Many feel that their wine tour doubled as something of an Okanagan orientation.

Will we be able to try Icewine?

Icewine is common in the Okanagan Valley due to our favorable climate, and most wineries produce or sell some kind of Icewine. Since it takes over 30 pounds of grapes to produce a single bottle, it is understandably expensive, so there is often a small fee associated with tasting Icewine. (normally $2 to $5, and well worth it in our opinion!) A couple of our tours include a free Icewine tasting. Contact us for more details!

Why book a tour and not find the wineries myself?

Of course you can drive yourself around to as many wineries as you'd like and probably have a great time. By booking a tour though, you'll enhance your experience in many ways. The most obvious is the fact that you can freely sample as much wine as you'd like without worrying about driving. Safety first, and the fact that a driving suspension will put a serious damper on your holiday. (Ask our honourable Premier about that!) Also, as experts on the local wineries, we select specific wineries that complement one another to round out the experience. We try to pair large facilities with much smaller ones, so that our guests can see a meaningful cross-section of the industry. We also try to select wineries that show you a variety of Okanagan wines. Some red, some white and usually some Ice-wine too! Our tours also double as somewhat of an Okanagan Valley tour that provides interesting information on the Valley in general. Finally, save yourself from researching which facility tours are best, when they run, when they are over-run and so on!

Is it better to do a Wine Tour at the beginning or the end of my stay?

Many of our clients who have taken our tour on their last day in the valley, wish that they'd done their tour earlier. Beyond visiting a selection of fabulous wineries, our tours give you somewhat of an orientation of the area. People often DISCOVER new places on our tours that they'd like to return to. For that reason, we recommend doing a wine tour near the beginning of your stay in the Valley.

How much should I tip my guide?

Tipping is not expected at Discover Okanagan Tours, but is customary at any service organization in North America. If your guide showed you a relaxing, informative and entertaining day, made you feel safe and comfortable while on the road, AND in any way exceeded your expections, then we recommend a tip of about $20 Cdn. Historically, tips range between $20 and $100 per group. Depending on your guide, a bottle of wine is a nice gratuity too. They've been salivating all day long while you've been tasting, smelling and admiring wines! :-)

Still haven't answered your question?

Why not give us a call or send us an email?. We'd love to hear from you. Our contact information is HERE.