Priest Creek Family Estate

The Vibe

Priest Creek is one of those winery stories that sounds too good to be true — and yet every detail checks out. Darren Sawin was a professional bull and bronc rider from Saskatchewan before he and wife Jane purchased this East Kelowna property in 2015 with a dream of raising their children on a vineyard and reconnecting with their farming roots. The land itself carries a remarkable piece of Okanagan history — Priest Creek runs behind the property into Mission Creek, where Father Pandosy is said to have planted the first grapes in the valley for wine in the mid-1800s. That heritage sits quietly but meaningfully beneath everything Priest Creek does, giving a boutique family winery a sense of rootedness and purpose that guests consistently remark upon. The setting is stunning year-round — sweeping mountain vistas in every direction, orchard rows framing the drive in, and a property that glows with autumn colour in the fall.

The Experience

Tastings at Priest Creek are warm, unhurried, and infused with the Sawin family's infectious enthusiasm — visitors frequently describe meeting Darren or Jane as the highlight of their visit, with the owner's genuine passion for the land and the wines coming through in every conversation. The $10 five-wine flight is excellent value and offers a genuine cross-section of the estate's range, while the private Cellar Tasting Experience — paired with local cheese and chocolate — steps things up beautifully for groups seeking something more intimate and curated. The Spot Food Truck parked on site has developed a devoted following entirely on its own merits — reviewers consistently rave about the Po' Boys and hot chicken as among the best food truck fare in the Okanagan, making Priest Creek one of the East Kelowna route's best lunch stops.

The Wine

With Jason Parkes — one of the Okanagan's most celebrated winemakers and the creative force behind The Hatch, Crown & Thieves, and Black Swift — as consulting winemaker, Priest Creek punches well above its boutique weight from the first vintage. The estate's 30-year-old Gewürztraminer vines are the crown jewel of the property, producing an award-winning aromatic white of remarkable depth and character that showcases the cool-climate East Kelowna benchland terroir at its very best. Alongside the Gewürztraminer, three clones of Pinot Noir and a growing program of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay round out the white program, while the big, bold Bordeaux-style red blends — designed for long-term bottle ageing — give serious collectors a reason to visit and cellar generously.

Good to Know

• Best for: Families, couples, food lovers, fans of the Jason Parkes Customs winemaking style, visitors looking for a genuine and personal farm gate experience

• Don't miss: The 30-year-old Gewürztraminer and lunch from The Spot Food Truck — one of the best food and wine combinations on the entire East Kelowna route

• Signature wines: Estate Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux-style Red Blend, Decota Frizzante

• Tasting fee: $10 per person for a five-wine flight — complimentary for wine club members and up to six guests

• Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 12pm to 5pm — walk-ins welcome, reservations encouraged

• Heads up: The property is beautiful in every season — autumn visits when the vineyard colours are at their peak are particularly spectacular