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Gray Monk Estate Winery

Lake Country's pioneering estate winery since 1976 — one of BC's first five wineries, home to Canada's original Pinot Gris planting, the celebrated Lookout Restaurant, four distinct tasting experiences, and sweeping panoramic views of Okanagan Lake from the heart of the Scenic Sip Wine Trail.

Gray Monk Estate Winery guided vineyard estate tour and historic tasting room on Camp Road Lake Country BC

Highlights:

  • One of BC's first five licensed estate wineries — open since 1976 and still family-inspired in vision and philosophy

  • Home of Canada's original Pinot Gris planting — 50 plants sourced from Alsace in 1976 by founders George and Trudy Heiss

  • 25 acres of estate vineyards overlooking Okanagan Lake on the Scenic Sip Wine Trail

  • The Lookout Restaurant — panoramic lake view dining with seasonal all-day menu and wine pairings

  • Four distinct tasting experiences — Taste of the Estate, Odyssey Collection, Wine & Chocolate Pairing, and Winemaker's Library Experience

  • Gray Monk Estate Tour — daily vineyard walks, cellar visits, and winemaker insights with a surprise food pairing stop

  • Odyssey Collection — flagship premium wines including sparkling, reds, and signature varietals

  • Annual German Christmas Market, seasonal fundraisers, and a lively year-round events calendar

  • Monk's Cellar Club wine membership — 15% discount on tastings and exclusive member events

  • Open year-round — tasting room daily, tours June through September

Gray Monk Estate Winery guided vineyard estate tour and historic tasting room on Camp Road Lake Country BC

The Vibe

Gray Monk is where the Lake Country wine story begins — and fifty years on, it remains the anchor of the entire Scenic Sip Wine Trail. Founded in 1972 by George and Trudy Heiss, Austrian immigrants who saw something extraordinary in the cool hillside slopes above Okanagan Lake, the winery is built on a single defining act of courage: sourcing 50 plants of Pinot Gris from Alsace in 1976 and planting what would become Canada's first Pinot Gris vineyard. That pioneering spirit defines everything about Gray Monk today — a winery that carries fifty years of heritage with quiet confidence, a genuine warmth in its hospitality, and a setting that ranks among the most beautiful in the valley.


The Experience

Gray Monk offers one of the most layered and thoughtfully curated visitor experiences on the Scenic Sip trail. The daily Estate Tour takes guests through the historic vineyard, into the cellar, and through a tasting journey that includes a secret food pairing stop — one of those small details that turns a standard winery tour into a genuinely memorable afternoon. The four distinct tasting experiences cater to every level of wine knowledge, from the introductory Taste of the Estate to the intimate Winemaker's Library experience pairing four wines with a curated cheese and charcuterie plate in an exclusive private setting available Friday to Sunday. The Lookout Restaurant is the crown jewel — a seasonal all-day menu served on a panoramic patio overlooking the lake that guests consistently describe as one of the finest views in Lake Country wine country. The annual events calendar — from the beloved German Christmas Market to the Italian Meat Master charcuterie pairing evenings — makes Gray Monk worth returning to in every season.


The Wine

Gray Monk's legacy is built on cool-climate aromatic whites, and the portfolio reflects that heritage with extraordinary depth and consistency. The Pinot Gris — the varietal that started it all — remains one of the finest expressions in BC, elegant and mineral-driven with the unmistakable character of fifty years of viticultural refinement. The Odyssey Collection is the flagship tier, showcasing the winery's most celebrated sparkling wines, reds, and premium single-varietal expressions crafted to highlight the unique character of Lake Country's cool microclimate. The Gewürztraminer, Riesling hybrids, and Rotberger Rosé round out a portfolio that rewards exploration and consistently surprises guests who expect only whites from this northern corner of the valley.


Good to Know

  • Best for: Wine enthusiasts, couples, food lovers, history buffs, visitors wanting a complete and polished winery experience

  • Don't miss: The Estate Tour with its secret food pairing stop — one of the most enjoyable guided experiences on the entire Scenic Sip trail

  • Signature wines: Pinot Gris, Odyssey Sparkling, Rotberger Rosé, Gewürztraminer, Odyssey Pinot Noir

  • Tasting fee: $20 for Taste of the Estate — $30 for Odyssey Collection — Winemaker's Library by appointment

  • Reservations: Recommended for all experiences — walk-ins welcome for standard tastings subject to availability

  • Heads up: Dogs are not permitted in the tasting room or on the Lookout Patio as both are food service areas — plan accordingly if travelling with pets

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