Experience Dirty Laundry Winery, a hidden gem among Summerland wineries

What better way to spend a lazy Okanagan day than meandering through the back-roads of laid-back towns, sampling some of the finest wines British Columbia has to offer. Summerland wineries are among the best in BC, with numerous awards to their names. With 10 wineries and 4 cideries to choose from, Bottleneck Drive in the charming town of Summerland is an ideal destination for a day of wine-tasting and patio dining. 

Ask any local and they would probably name Dirty Laundry as one of the best Summerland wineries. We have a reputation for not only producing world-class wines but also for having a bit of fun while doing it! 

Sip and sit on our expansive patio

To top off your Dirty Laundry visit, take a bottle of your favourite wine out to our spacious patio with breathtaking views of acres of vineyards, stretching as far as Naramata on the other side of Lake Okanagan. Sit beneath pergolas draped in tangled green vines that provide ample shade from the hot Okanagan sunshine, while you sip on your favourite wine and order pizza or smoked meat from our self-serve Red Iron Grille. While enjoying the beautiful views, you might even hear the steam whistle or catch a glimpse of the old steam train as it chugs along the Kettle Valley Railway nearby. 

We’ve even got the non-wine drinkers covered. Our restaurant patio is for more than just wine! In addition to our self-serve kitchen we offer craft beer and local cider on our patio Saloon, custom roasted gourmet coffees, plus flavoured milk steamers for the kids. 

When is the best time of year to visit Summerland wineries?

Summerland wineries are best visited in the Spring or Summer months. In the Winter, many wineries close for tastings, or are open with only limited hours. 

Spring is our favourite time for a winery visit. The frost has lifted, the buds are starting to emerge, and the growing season is well on its way. There’s more parking, less time waiting for a tasting spot, and more time to chat with your party and linger over your samples rather than feeling hurried to finish. Wine experts have more time to answer your questions and you’re likely to get the extended version of stories and receive tidbits of information such as appropriate food pairings when the crowds are a little smaller. Great wines are also at risk of selling out towards the end of the tourist season, so by planning a visit to Summerland’s wineries early, you can be sure to get a more personal wine experience, and snag a bottle of two of your favourites. 

A unique wine flavour

Did you know that while the Okanagan Valley is BC’s premier grape growing region and Canada’s second largest wine region, it’s the wide variety of soil and climate conditions present throughout the expansive valley that allows for a diverse range of varietals to be produced? 

Dirty Laundry Winery’s elevated location enjoys hot summer days and cooler evenings, with very low rainfall, creating a microclimate that allows the grapes to develop ripe fruit character and naturally high acidity – a signature trait in BC wine.

So, the next time you visit British Columbia wine country, and feel like trying some local wines while being transported back to the 19th century, make your way to Dirty Laundry Winery. Tucked away among orchards and vineyards we are located just south of Summerland, only 40-minutes from Kelowna, and 15-minutes from Penticton, a spectacular drive from either direction with sweeping views of Okanagan lake. Learn more here why Dirty Laundry Winery should be part of your Okanagan wine tour?

Sip and savour some of the unique Okanagan wines, while discovering the cheeky history of a local’s favourite Summerland winery. Cheers!