Discovering Dirty Laundry Winery: A First-Time Visitor's Delight

Nestled in the heart of Summerland, BC, Dirty Laundry Winery offers an experience that's as rich in history as it is in flavour. As a first-time visitor, I was captivated by the winery’s unique blend of cheeky charm and sophisticated offerings, and was surprised that my visit ended up being so much more than just a wine-tasting. 

Join me as I recap my first (but certainly not my last) visit to Dirty Laundry Winery, and let me help make your first visit as memorable as mine. 

Wine Tasting Experiences

Upon arrival at the winery (which, by the way, has ample parking space for guests) I followed the signs and made my way to the patio and tasting room. I decided to do a wine tasting first so that I could purchase a glass of my favourite to enjoy with my lunch later on the patio. 

I purchased a $6 tasting ticket at the self-serve kiosk (look for two wine barrels hoisted up), which allowed me to sample five pre-selected wines. I was visiting alone, however please note that each person who would like to take part in a tasting needs one ticket, which equals one full tasting. While the wine selections are preset, I was informed that the winery will always do its best to accommodate special requests if there’s a specific wine you're eager to try. The pre-selected wines were perfect for me. 

The wine tasting took place inside the tasting room with a friendly and knowledgeable Wine Tasting Associate who gave me a history of the winery, which includes a colourful past involving a 19th-century Chinese laundromat that covertly operated as a brothel and gambling den. This playful homage permeates the winery, with suggestive wine names like "Hush", “Dangerous Liaison” and "Secret Affair" and…well, I don't want to give too much away! You’ll have to wait until your visit to spot all the hidden imagery in their signage!

For those seeking a more in-depth tasting experience, Sip & Snacks has just launched at the winery. This casual, seated tasting must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, and is enjoyed at your own pace on the stunning vine-covered patio. It features four of Dirty Laundry’s fabulous wines paired with snacks from the chef. The wines and food pairings featured in this experience change throughout the summer, so you can return for a new experience each month! 

Buying Wine and More at the Winery

After your wine tasting, you won’t be able to help but browse the unique gift shop, full of quirky and humorous wine gifts for every occasion and to suit any wine-lover in your life! Make sure you check out the stunning wine wall, where all of the beautifully crafted wines are displayed. Everything in the store for purchase is self-serve, including the wine. I browsed for a good half an hour before picking some wine coasters and a pair of wine socks for gifts, and a few bottles of my favourite wines for me! I am more of a sweet gal so naturally gravitated towards the gewürztraminers - Woo Woo Gewürztraminer and Madam’s Gewürztraminer. They won’t last long when I get back home! On that note, the winery does offer accommodation for anyone wishing to extend their stay in Summerland. The Parlour House provides luxurious accommodations amidst the winerys, complete with a fully equipped kitchen and stunning views.

Next stop: The Scenic Patio 

Note: Only certified service dogs are allowed on the patio. There is an area within the winery grounds for dogs with water and shade but you can’t picnic in this area. Probably best to leave your furry family member at home when you visit the winery.

When I visited, the patio had just opened. It’s certainly a highlight of the winery, with its laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, shaded by grapevine-draped pergolas and cooled by misters, providing a perfect spot to relax. Patio seating is first come, first served for everyone except Wine Club members who can make reservations (must be made at least 24 hours in advance) so if it seems like people are getting seated ahead of you, it will be because they are members. It’s certainly a huge perk of being a member, especially if you visit often. Want to become a Wine Club member? You can do that here. 

Even without being a wine club member I was seated quickly. I was told that in the height of the summer, when it is busy, the staff will take your name and phone number and send you a text when your table is ready, so you can peruse the wine shop or the grounds while you wait and you have 15 minutes to return and claim your spot. I was lucky enough to get one of the seats by the glass railings that overlook the stunning vineyards and had a glorious lake view. From here you can even see the Kettle Valley Steam Railway passing by if you time it right! 

One of the things I liked about the patio is that everything is self-serve. But don’t worry – you’re not on your own; in fact, I felt “taken care of” the entire time. I was greeted and seated, and the method of ordering was explained to me. Then, I was able to eat and drink in my own time, ordering only when I felt ready to do so.

Ordering Drinks

Getting a drink was easy, with lots of choice. Had I wanted an entire bottle to myself, I could have headed inside the wine shop to the cold wine fridge, grabbed a bottle, paid at the till and would have been given glasses and a wine chiller to take out to the patio. However, I opted for just a glass of wine this time, served from the wine cart located on the patio. 

The winery knows that not everyone wants to drink wine when they visit, so it also offers a great selection of local, hand-crafted beers on tap at the Bottom’s Up Saloon. You can also get a glass of cool, crisp local cider. Tap drinks are available in 12oz, 16oz and 20oz, or as a flight of 2-6, with a limited number of beers also available in cans. Check out the full beer and cider menu here. As with all ordering, proceed to the beer bar and order the minute you're ready.

Ordering Food

The Red Iron Grille at Dirty Laundry serves up delicious artisan forno pizzas and Canadian maple and cherry wood smoked meats, all made in-house. Honesty, I found it hard to decide what to eat as it all looked and sounded so delicious. If you’re anything like me, you will already be planning your next visit before you’ve even ordered! Being someone that enjoys sweeter white wines, and knowing (after reading this blog about pizza and wine pairings!) that sweeter wines pair best with spicier foods, I settled on A Fiery Affair pizza  - a base of spicy tomato sauce topped with salami, pepperoni, onion, basil, sweet red peppers, mushrooms, calabrian chili peppers, red and green pepper and topped with mozzarella cheese. When I was ready to order, I went to the far end of the patio and where I found two pizza kiosks. Placing my order was easy. I entered my phone number, paid by card (if you would like to pay cash, you must head inside and pay at the till) and took my receipt – it’s important you don’t forget that part as you will need to show it to collect your food!

Sipping on my wine, I enjoyed the view as I waited for my pizza to be made. A ping on my phone told me it was ready and I headed to the pizza window, showed my receipt, and presto! It was that easy. And believe me, it was as delicious as it sounds. Really, can anything beat hand-made pizza and a glass of wine with an impressive view to boot?

When I had finished half my pizza (with the other half taken to go for dinner that night!) I left my dishes and glassware on the table, as instructed.The winery's self-service policy does not extend to having to clean up after oneself! 

Extra things to note:

• The wine shop and patio operate on a seasonal basis. The most current hours are located on the website footer, on social media platforms, and on their Google business listing.
• A handicap-accessible tasting bar is located inside, and on busy days, there’s an overflow stand-up tasting bar located outside – same wine, same great vibe, just ask one of the friendly staff members if you need help!
• Dirty Laundry hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the popular Wine & Brine Lobster Nights and Light Up the Vines, a festive winter celebration featuring vineyards and tasting rooms illuminated with dazzling holiday lights.
• More questions? Check out the winery’s FAQ page. It should also clear up any questions you may have. 

Dirty Laundry Winery is more than just a winery; it’s a truly memorable experience. From the perfectly curated wine tastings and quirky gift shop to the relaxing patio with breathtaking views, every detail feels thoughtfully designed to ensure guests leave with a smile—and maybe a bottle or two of their favorite vintage. But don’t just take my word for it! Plan your own adventure to Dirty Laundry Winery and discover what makes this Summerland gem a must-visit in the heart of British Columbia’s wine country.