Tantalus Vineyards
Highlights:
One of BC's oldest continuously producing vineyard sites — first planted to table grapes in 1927 by horticulturist JW Hughes
Old vine plantings dating to 1978 Riesling and 1985 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — the backbone of the estate
State-of-the-art LEED-certified winery building — one of the most sustainably constructed wineries in Canada
Stunning gallery-style tasting room featuring curated works from some of Canada's most acclaimed artists
Floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Okanagan Lake and the City of Kelowna
Two distinct tasting experiences — Flagship Tasting ($15 per person) and Small Lot Tasting
Further Afield Series — exploring varietals beyond the estate including Cabernet Franc and Syrah
Consistently praised tasting hosts — among the most knowledgeable and personable on the East Kelowna route
Prepaid reservations required — maximum groups of eight per tasting
Seasonal hours April through November — confirm before visiting
The Vibe
Tantalus Vineyards carries a quiet confidence that only comes from standing on genuinely extraordinary land. The estate sits on the eastern slopes of the Okanagan Valley above the shores of Lake Okanagan, on a site first planted in 1927 that is today recognised as one of the oldest continuously producing vineyards in British Columbia. When proprietor Eric Savics acquired the property in 2004 — then known as Pioneer Vineyards — he made a deliberate and focused decision: strip back everything except Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, and let the old vines and exceptional terroir tell the story. The result is a winery that feels both timeless and thoroughly modern — its LEED-certified building blending seamlessly into the hillside, its gallery-style tasting room as elegant and considered as the wines themselves.
The Experience
Tastings at Tantalus are seated, guided, and unhurried — a deliberate choice that reflects the winery's commitment to quality over volume. The gallery-style tasting room is one of the most architecturally beautiful spaces on the East Kelowna route, with floor-to-ceiling windows drawing the eye across the estate vineyards to Okanagan Lake shimmering below and the city of Kelowna beyond. Staff are consistently singled out by name in guest reviews for their warmth, humour, and depth of knowledge — with hosts like Guadalupe and Frances earning near-legendary status among regulars. The Flagship Tasting introduces guests to the foundation of the portfolio including the Further Afield Series, while the Small Lot experience dives deeper into the estate's most celebrated old vine expressions, opening with a welcome splash of Blanc de Noir sparkling.
The Wine
Tantalus has carved out a reputation as one of Canada's premier producers of Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir — a focused, intentional portfolio shaped by some of the country's oldest vinifera plantings. The Old Vines Riesling is the crown jewel — a wine of extraordinary complexity and age-worthiness, drawing from 1978 plantings that have had nearly five decades to sink their roots deep into the estate's rocky volcanic soils. Guests who ask about cellaring potential are in for an illuminating conversation — the team recommends five to ten years for the Old Vines Riesling to fully reveal itself. The Bear Chardonnay and Reserve Pinot Noir complete the core trilogy, while the Further Afield Series expands the palette with Cabernet Franc and Syrah sourced from select Okanagan Valley partners — each bottled with the same single-vineyard philosophy that defines everything Tantalus does.
Good to Know
Best for: Wine enthusiasts, collectors, couples seeking a refined and unhurried experience, Riesling lovers
Don't miss: The Old Vines Riesling — one of the finest expressions of the varietal in Canada and well worth buying a bottle to cellar
Signature wines: Old Vines Riesling, Bear Chardonnay, Reserve Pinot Noir, Blanc de Noir Sparkling, Further Afield Cabernet Franc
Tasting fee: $15 per person for Flagship Tasting
Reservations: Prepaid reservations required — maximum eight guests per tasting, book ahead especially in summer
Heads up: Navigation systems sometimes direct visitors to Hughes Road — a dead end. Access only via Dehart or Casorso Roads
