This week, our Okanagan tour heads south of McIntyre Bluff, which is thought to divide the north and south Okanagan in grape-growing terms. However, one could argue that Okanagan Falls, Naramata, and Summerland form an important middle zone today.
Our stop was just north of Oliver, at District Wine Village, which is steadily becoming a multi-layered destination for tourists and locals. The concept was developed in the late 2010s by Okanagan businessmen Matt Kenyon and Max Brock, who were inspired by U.S. winery cluster models. After Brock's untimely death, longtime wine executive Mike Daley helped carry the project forward with Kenyon, and District Wine Village opened in June 2021 inside the Senkulmen Business Park, just off Highway 97 at Enterprise Way.
A Shared-Winery Concept Evolves
What began as a practical shared-winery concept has evolved into a purpose-built destination, where small producers can operate without the burden of major capital investment. The village brings together wine, beer, spirits, food, and events in one walkable setting, filling a market gap for small-lot wineries without their own hospitality space.
Today, the Village includes eight wineries, one of which focuses on low- and no-alcohol wines, along with a brewery, a French bakery, a bookstore, a restaurant, a distillery, a roastery, and a coffee shop. A central 600-person amphitheatre anchors the site and serves as a fun area to hang out, eat, relax, and attend concerts. Collaboration is built into the model, allowing winemakers to share a crush pad and equipment to keep costs down.
New Additions and Standout Wineries
One of the newest additions to the Village is Spacedog Wines. Todd Heintz, co-owner and winemaker, is a fan of viognier and has first released the 2025 Disinheritence, a stylish, full-flavoured barrel fermented white that will surprise you with its freshness.
Winemaker Kyle Lyons of Apricus Cellars shared a delicious 2025 Old Vines Riesling via Sam Baptiste, a partner, viticulturist, and longtime manager of Inkameep Vineyards, where Apricus gets much of its fruit. Lyons, who started at Sumac Ridge, worked at Bannockburn in Australia and Liquidity in OK Falls, among others. Apricus has partnered with Reeves Performance and will have the Yeti race car on site on August 18. They will also be selling a limited-edition Yeti-labelled wine.
We also tracked down a tasty Mischief 2022 Tempranillo at Foolish Wines, a brewery-to-winery crossover project owned by the Coghill and Main families of Neighbourhood and Yellow Dog Brewing. The family is having fun with a relaxed, almost irreverent tone to Okanagan wine that fits in perfectly with the ethos of District Wine Village.
Surprises and Artisanal Touches
Finally, we discovered two surprises. Owner and winemaker Efi Perel has opened Tender Hope Winery and is pouring an impressive Tender Hope 2019 Blanc de Blanc sparkler made using the traditional Champenoise method. Steps away, La Levainière by Audrey is run by Bordeaux-born baker, Audrey Enixon, who employs her microbiology background to bake the South Okanagan's most precise sourdough. What began at the farmers markets has evolved into a District Wine Village bakehouse focused on long fermentations and hand-milled grains, all very much in tune with the surrounding artisanal wine ethos.
Experience the Village
Each unit has a patio with tables and chairs for tasting, and food from Ward's Kitchen can be delivered while kids play nearby in the amphitheatre in full view. And when it comes to entertainment, upcoming events include concerts by 54.40, Blue Rodeo, and Eagle Eyes & Jazz Sabbath, as well as several vineyard wine dinners.
