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**Original story published on May 21 @ 7 pm. Updated last on May 26 @ 12:20 pm.**
Wine tastings are a staple of the spring and summer in the Okanagan, but they’re getting a late start this year.
COVID-19 put amenities like that on hold, but as BC slowly starts to ease pandemic restrictions, wineries are slowly starting to welcome visitors into their tasting rooms.
In West Kelowna, home of the always-popular West Kelowna Wine Trail, Indigenous World Winery got the ball rolling by reopening today and Grizzli Winery will do the same on Friday.
A few others are targeting the start of June to welcome customers back into their tastings rooms, while others are still formulating their plans carefully.
While we slaved away on the phone all day to nail down these details, we have been unable to confirm them with all of West Kelowna’s wineries.
KelownaNow will update this story over the coming days, but for now, here’s what we know:
- Indigenous World Winery: Opened for tastings today
- Grizzli Winery: Already open for tastings
- the hatch: Already open for tastings
- Frind Estate Winery: Tastings have resumed by appointment only.
- Quails' Gate Estate Winery: Tastings have resumed by appointment, but the winery will try to accommodate walk-ins where space permits. Old Vines restaurant has also reopened.
- Ciao Bella Winery: Reopens for tastings on May 28. Only six allowed in the tasting room at one time, so appointments are recommended.
- Off the Grid Winery: Tentatively targeting June 1 and tasting will need to be booked online because it’s a smaller space.
- Mt. Boucherie Winery: Will have a “barebones opening” on June 1 with only outdoor tastings. After that, they’ll play it by ear and slowly ramp service up as it’s appropriate.
- Little Straw Vineyards: Will reopen for tastings on Friday, June 5.
- Beaumont Family Estate Winery: Tentatively targeting an early June reopening.
- Volcanic Hills Estate Winery: Will reopen once they have plexiglass installed in the tasting room. It’s expected to be in early June, but they’ll have a better idea on Monday.
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Rollingdale Winery and Mission Hill Family Estate Winery all told KelownaNow that they were still formulating a plan for reopening, but remain closed at this time.
All wineries have indicated that the health and safety of their staff and customers are both top priorities and all the appropriate COVID-19 protocols will be in place for tastings.
For our guide on Kelowna wineries, click this link.
For our guide on Lake Country wineries, click this link.
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