Dirty Laundry Winery — Attraction in Summerland

Ahhh, the good old days, where prostitution was legal, and nearly everyone had tuberculosis. What better way to celebrate antiquity than to sell corsets and lingerie at a winery in the middle of nowhere. Commemorate a time of alcohol, hookers, and obsolete misogynistic beliefs centered around a laundromat that doubled as a whorehouse by purchasing wine and related merchandise at a winery only taking inspiration by said bordello to the extent of using the name to spice up the décor and as an excuse to sell branded products offering the impression a Stokes store had just invaded La Senza. Don’t be surprised if it all comes up as being slightly disingenuous.

Now, don’t misunderstand, I absolutely am not a killjoy, and I believe the majority of vice laws should be stricken from the books, but it does come off as a little insincere when you use a clandestine brothel as your inspiration for a winery and then sell branded glasses and coasters and clothes to people in tribute to a business you have absolutely no relation to. In traveling to numerous wineries from Osoyoos to Kelowna, my girlfriend and I had taken in a broad range of locations. Sixty in all, in fact, and we returned with 120 bottles after our week-long journey. The ones I enjoyed the most involved more intimate operations where guests were sold directly from winemakers in pleasant tasting rooms. The more commercial, or rather corporate, wineries certainly stifled that relation in exchange for proven business practices where hosts are taught what to say and how to say it to maximize time and potential sales. However, the locations were often spectacular, leading to numerous photos being taken of the décor and view.

Even with those, the wines were still placed front and center, the personality of the winery generally taking a step back in favor of selling bottles. With Dirty Laundry, it feels like they are selling themselves as a brand more than their wine. The bulk of their store is occupied by merchandise and not bottles to purchase. Now, this is not really a bad thing—Mission Hill spent millions on presenting themselves as viticulture royalty, a position I still don’t feel they earned. But when we left the winery, we had purchased shirts and coasters, but only one bottle of wine. The winery itself is, no joke, probably one of the biggest diversions to reach, right up there with See Ya Later Ranch. For a good two minutes, you’ll swear Google Maps had betrayed you, leaving you stranded atop a mountain with no one to hear you cry for help.

And then Dirty Laundry reveals itself, and narrow roads with no sidewalk open into a sprawling complex with tour bus parking. When we arrived, the location was almost at capacity. As such, I had to wedge myself between two other groups to start a tasting—my girlfriend couldn’t even fit. The wines were pretty good, and I like the touch of affixing a clothespin to my shirt when I approached the bar. Yes, Dirty Laundry does come off as a budget adult Disneyland, or worse, a budget adult Magic Kingdom. However, I should give it credit for doing something different, firing a blast of buckshot to a wall and seeing what connects, necessary given the extent one must go to even reach here. The hosts are extremely pleasant and do their best in the cacophony of noise echoing through the room. It does boast one of the best views in Summerland; you can’t deny that. Dirty Laundry takes the top prize in marketing, with additional marks for location and overall panache. I travel for the location, as I can get the wine back home (now), and Dirty Laundry was certainly justified. If you like that sort of thing, don’t...

I visited the Dirty Laundry Winery in Summerland, BC for the first time yesterday, ( July 1st) given its unique location scenery wise and the pizza I heard was so outstanding. The ambience with the view from the outdoor deck was indeed outstanding and the pizza was every bit as good as I had heard. I enjoyed the pizza very much. However I was taken back by your lack of customer service with nobody serving you at your table and that you had to use a kiosk like a previous review I just read form 11 months ago compared it with a McDonald's Restaurant. I thought for a winery in this pristine location to be using kiosks was tacky. When we arrived it was busy and we were told an approx. 30 minute wait, I was fine with that as there were a lot of people there. But I did request a table looking out over the valley. When they had a table for us , they gave us a table away from the end of the deck in the sun and I was not happy. I asked if we could have a vacant table in that area , ( a table for 6) in the shade but I was denied by both the lady that seated us and by the manager. So we stayed at that table in the sun and for close to 30 minutes as I observed that the table for six I wanted was still vacant. The manager knew I was not happy but while we were half way through our meal she did move us to a table for two by the deck but I am still miffed why where this table for 6 was never utilized why this was such a big deal in the first place. Besides it being a very hot day, and knowing how beverages without ice do not remain cold, I asked for ice but was told your winery does not supply ice!! REALLY??? How bizarre is this? Besides ordering pizza, I purchased four bottles of wine and could not even get ice for a glass of water. Luckily I had a cooler in my car with bottles of water and ice cubes so had to go my car to get ice for my drinks inside your winery. SHAMEFUL to the management of Dirty Laundry Winery. Will I ever return? Not until your winery becomes a first class act. In some ways you were. As I say the pizza was to die for. But your lack of customer service with respects to using kiosks like in a McDonald's; no ice available, and not being accommodated with a seat request I had made 30 minutes in advance leaves a lot to be desired with...

We visited Dirty Laundry Vineyard excited to enjoy some great wine and take in the beautiful Penticton scenery. The wine tasting itself was lovely—our server was kind and welcoming, and the ambience was great.

Unfortunately, our overall experience was marred by an unsettling incident that left us deeply disappointed. While passing by the restaurant area, a group of young white guests waiting to be seated made inappropriate and offensive comments such as “hold your breath” and “weirdo,” clearly directed at us. As South Asians, we couldn’t ignore the racially charged tone behind these remarks. I addressed them directly, but unsurprisingly, they lacked the courage to respond back - clearly bold only in groups.

What was most disheartening was that several staff members, including front desk personnel, witnessed this interaction and chose to remain passive. Their lack of intervention or acknowledgment sent a loud message: that such behavior is tolerated or, worse, overlooked. We understand that not everyone will see the world through an inclusive lens, but it’s reasonable to expect staff- especially in hospitality - to step in when guests are being disrespected in such a public and hurtful manner.

We came to enjoy good wine and appreciate the region's charm, not to be reminded of the biases we still face because of our skin color. A little empathy and accountability from the staff would have gone a long way.

To be clear, this is not a reflection of the entire establishment, but it is a call for better awareness and response when discrimination happens right in front of you. Beautiful vineyards and great wine can only go so far if the experience leaves a...