Ancient Hill Winery — Attraction in East Central Okanagan Electoral Area

This is not the end.

It is not the beginning of the end.

It is the end…of the beginning.

We traveled from Prince George, passed through Kamloops during Rib-Fest, and started our journey in Osoyoos. Seven days later, before checking from our hotel, my girlfriend had run up the tally. We had acquired 118 bottles from 59 wineries. I thought we were done, but she looked at me and declared we had to make it an even 60. She had selected the one to visit. Ancient Hill Winery, which was on our way out of town.

We had checked out and started our return home, deaviating to hit up Ancient Hill, one of the most stunning, breathtakingly beautiful wineries in Kelowna. It’s not a castle or lakeside villa. It’s just a winery.

No restaurant, no merchandise just great wine in a striking location blending Celtic and Dutch aesthetics into a cohesive package. Reaching Ancient Hill Winery is a bit of a challenge though given that Google Maps will confuse you. When it claims you’ve reached the destination, you must continue down the road before reaching the entrance. Don’t get discouraged and turn around; it will be worth it. The gardens and view from Ancient Hill are nearly unmatched, and they have tables open for a picnic as well.

The winery itself is a rustic collection of natural wood, etched glass, and fake produce. The tasting bar sits atop of wine barrels and under aged chandeliers. It dominates the floor as it should. This is a winery, foremost over other concerns. It’s not an environment conducive for distracting children. There is too much in Ancient Hills that is fragile; this is an adult playground. The wines themselves are amazing and affordable. The Lazerus (not spelled wrong) is only $15, their Pinot Noir only $17, and they are good. Their distinctive Baco Noir I’ve seen nowhere else, and despite assumptions, does not taste like bacon (swing and a miss). In total, they offer six wines, and not one comes up short.

We bought bottles on our first trip, making it an even 120 for that journey, and loved the experience so much that ten months later, when we guided our friends on a similar yet MUCH shorter wine tour only a few weeks ago, Ancient Hills was one of the few repeat visits. We loaded up again and are still sitting on two Rosés (2014, and 2015) and a 2012 Lazarus.

My girlfriend absolutely adores Ancient Hill, and I can see why. It oozes personality like an open mayonnaise jar left out in the sun.

That’s right; I could not have gone throughout this entire review without making at least one Dutch joke. My friend is Dutch so I couldn’t help myself. Ultimately, Ancient Hill was proof that we hadn’t gotten tired of wineries after so many visited, that true viticulture aficionados can still find stimulation after the fiftieth, hundredth, and thousandth winery visited. It’s what spurned us for our second trip the following year, why we plan a third in time again. Ancient Hill is why people visit wineries, as a reminder of...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Ancient Hill Winery during my trip to Kelowna and I must say, it was an incredible experience! This family-owned small winery is a true hidden gem, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.

From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by the lovely owners who were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about their wines. They took the time to walk me through their selection and helped me find the perfect bottle to suit my taste.

The tasting room was cozy and charming, and the views of the vineyards were absolutely stunning.

What I loved most about Ancient Hill Winery was the passion and love that went into every bottle of wine. The owners truly care about their craft and it shows in the quality of their product. They take pride in their work and it's evident in the taste of their wine.

Overall, I highly recommend Ancient Hill Winery to anyone visiting Kelowna. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or just looking for a lovely place to relax and unwind, this winery is a must-visit. I can't wait to come back and...

This winery has hit the top of my charts even over Gray Monk. This was definitely a very ambient setting and catered to wine tasters than to the industry standards and levels like Gray Monk and many others we have toured. Ancient Hills had the life and the true flavour of being in a orchard. Like stepping into a Welsh or Celtic setting and stepping into a whole new world. There was no sterile feeling as many other winery’s toured. I appreciated the wine tasting from start to finish as my highlight was the menu explained all the different flavours one would experience in each wine tasted. I can compare it to Gray Monk which didn’t have that wall through or explanation when we did the wine tasting. Each wine tasted at Ancient Hills was a welcoming and pleasing taste to my pallet where Gray Monk was very metallic and only one kinda sorta appealed. Ancient Hills also would be an amazing space for a wedding and the care that went into the flowers and garden is one that is welcoming and appreciated. Ancient Hills brings in the true meaning of tradition, culture,...