The View Winery & Ward Cidery

The Vibe

There is something quietly magical about The View Winery that reveals itself the moment you step inside the 1922 packing house — a building that Great-Granddad Ward constructed with his own hands over a century ago and that has now been transformed into one of the most characterful and inviting tasting rooms in East Kelowna. The Ward and Turton families have farmed this land for five generations, transitioning from fresh market apples to vineyards and cider orchards in the mid-1990s before grandson Chris Turton and great-granddaughter Jennifer Turton-Molgat opened the winery and cidery in 2006. The result is a place that feels genuinely rooted in history — rustic and eclectic in the best possible sense, with old growth apple trees shading the picnic tables outside, the active cellar humming away just beyond the tasting room wall, and a warm, unhurried energy that makes every visit feel like a drop-in at a favourite neighbour's farm.

The Experience

The View offers one of the most flexible tasting experiences on the East Kelowna route — guests can mix and match wines and ciders in a single flight, making it an ideal stop for groups with diverse tastes. The tasting room adjoins the active cellar and barrel hall, so visitors often catch winemaker Kristy French and assistant winemaker Cody Latino in the midst of fermentation or blending — a genuinely authentic behind-the-scenes glimpse that larger estate wineries simply can't replicate. After your tasting, the orchard picnic area under old growth apple trees is one of the most atmospheric spots in wine country for a lazy afternoon pour, and Sunday visits offer the added bonus of free live music and the beloved Sangria Sunday experience. The weekly Wine and Wags walk through the vineyard and orchard is a standout for dog owners and nature lovers alike.

The Wine

The View's portfolio is broader and more adventurous than its farm gate setting might suggest. The award-winning aromatic whites — Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and the rarely seen Ehrenfelser — are the backbone of the estate, shaped by East Kelowna's cool-climate benchland microclimate and consistently praised for their freshness and food-friendly character. The Rhino Series is the most distinctive and conversation-worthy part of the lineup — three wines crafted from Pinotage, one of only a handful of plantings of this rare South African varietal in all of Canada, with partial proceeds from every bottle sold going to the WWF's Adopt a Rhino campaign. On the cider side, Wards Cider's Picker's Hut Premium Cider has taken double gold honours and is widely regarded as one of the finest craft ciders in the Okanagan — essential tasting for anyone who appreciates the style.

Good to Know

• Best for: Families, dog lovers, cider enthusiasts, visitors who appreciate genuine farm heritage and character over grand architecture, mixed groups with both wine and cider drinkers

• Don't miss: The Wards Cider tasting alongside the wines — the Picker's Hut Premium Cider is exceptional — and a Sunday visit for free live music and Sangria Sunday

• Signature wines & ciders: Picker's Hut Premium Cider, Gewürztraminer, Black Rhino Pinotage, BLING Sparkling Wine Can, Silver Lining Red Blend

• Hours: Open daily year round — 11:30am to 5pm, confirm seasonal hours before visiting

• Reservations: Walk-ins welcome for tastings — advance booking required for Orchard-Bites charcuterie boards and fondues

• Dog friendly: Yes — Wine and Wags every Sunday, hitching post available for those arriving on horseback