The Best Okanagan Wineries for Architecture Lovers

The Okanagan has earned a reputation for world-class wine and a great getaway, but increasingly, it’s the architecture that stops visitors in their tracks. Across the valley, a handful of wineries have invested in buildings that do far more than house barrels and bottling lines. They frame views, shape visitor experiences and several have become design destinations in their own right.

Whether boldly contemporary or quietly integrated into the landscape, these five wineries showcase some of the most thoughtful wine-country design in British Columbia.

Martin’s Lane Winery

If there is a winery building that best symbolizes the Okanagan’s architectural coming of age, it’s Martin’s Lane. Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig, the dramatic structure projects from the hillside above Okanagan Lake in a striking cantilever that appears to defy gravity. Its vertical, gravity-flow design allows fruit and wine to move naturally through the winemaking process while giving visitors a unique perspective on production. Martin’s Lane also reflects the broader vision of proprietor Anthony von Mandl, whose family of wineries, including Mission Hill Family Estate, CedarCreek Estate Winery and CheckMate Artisanal Winery, has helped establish architecture as a defining feature of the modern Okanagan wine experience.

Phantom Creek Estates

Few winery developments in Canada have matched the scale and ambition of Phantom Creek Estates. Designed by architect John Taft of Backen & Backen Architects, the 40,000-square-foot winery rises from the Black Sage Bench as a contemporary landmark that celebrates its extraordinary setting at every turn. Floor-to-ceiling windows capture panoramic views of vineyards, mountains and desert hills, while expansive terraces blur the line between indoors and out. The architecture is complemented by an impressive collection of Indigenous and contemporary art, creating a space where culture, landscape and wine intersect.

Painted Rock Estate Winery

Not every memorable winery needs a dramatic silhouette. At Painted Rock Estate Winery, architectural designer Dominic Unsworth embraced a more restrained approach, allowing one of the South Okanagan’s most coveted vineyard settings to take centre stage. Positioned above Skaha Lake, the winery connects seamlessly with its surroundings through natural materials, open sightlines and generous windows. The design avoids unnecessary flourishes, instead drawing attention to the changing light and vineyard rows stretching toward the lake, proving that great architecture can sometimes be at its most powerful when it simply complements the landscape.

Black Hills Estate Winery

Black Hills proves that contemporary winery design can be both sophisticated and approachable. Designed by the late architect Nick Bevanda, whose work helped shape much of the modern architectural character of the South Okanagan, the building combines crisp modern lines with inviting hospitality spaces that encourage guests to settle in and stay awhile. Broad terraces and outdoor gathering areas are carefully oriented to maximize views of the surrounding vineyards, while the interior strikes a balance between refinement and comfort. With recently expanded culinary and hospitality offerings, it’s evolved into one of the region’s most inviting places to spend an afternoon.

Haywire Winery

In a region known for architectural statements, Haywire stands apart by embracing simplicity. Designed by architect Brad Tone, the winery’s industrial-inspired structure places function at the forefront, reflecting Haywire’s innovative approach to winemaking. Built largely from concrete and designed around the use of large concrete fermentation tanks, the building showcases the mechanics of wine production rather than concealing them. Clean lines, durable materials and an unpretentious aesthetic create a distinctly modern atmosphere. It’s a reminder that great architecture isn’t always about grandeur; sometimes it’s about designing a building that does exactly what it was intended to do.