About this tour
When Mia from our BugBitten team ran the Jason Parkes Trail Westside Tour, we found ourselves bouncing between five stops across Kelowna's West Side wine country in six hours—vineyards, craft breweries, cideries, and a speakeasy tucked in between. The vibe is deliberately loose and cheeky rather than stuffy-sommelier; you're tasting bold reds and crisp whites, sampling craft beers, then finishing with cider and what they reckon is the valley's best BBQ. It's the kind of tour where the quirk isn't an afterthought—Jason Parkes' personality shapes the whole experience. Hotel pickups included, tasting fees covered, and air-con between stops. Lunch is on your own coin, though.
Highlights
- Five different producers in one day without driving stress
- Craft beers and ciders alongside wine — not wine-only snobbery
- Speakeasy visit adds a bit of theatre to the afternoon
- Hotel pickups and air-conditioned transport both ways
- Tasting fees already rolled into the price
- Midday BBQ stop breaks up the drinking nicely
- Small-group, personality-led vibe over corporate polish
What to expect
You'll be picked up from your accommodation and driven to Black Swift Vineyards to start—no rushed handshake, just straight into tastings. From there it's a rolling circuit: The Hatch (beer and cider territory), Crown & Thieves, Truck 59 Cider, and finally The Hatching Post, which doubles as the speakeasy and lunch stop. Mia reckoned the pacing felt natural rather than clock-watching; the guide keeps things light, and you're not herded through like a museum group. The speakeasy moment lands well—a bit of fun theatre after a few hours of tasting. By afternoon, the ABV catches up, which is exactly when the BBQ arrives. The whole circuit keeps moving without feeling frantic, and the air-con drive between stops gives your palate (and your legs) a breather.
What travellers say
- Tasting fees bundled in — no surprise charges at each stop
- Speakeasy visit adds personality beyond standard wine tours
- Craft beer and cider mix keeps it broader than wine snobs
- Hotel pickups remove the logistics headache
- Air-conditioned transport between venues is genuinely appreciated
- Six-hour pace feels unhurried without dragging
- Lunch cost not included — budget separately or feel the gap
- Not suited to anyone with serious fitness or health concerns
- Six hours of standing and walking — wear proper shoes
- Daytime drinking focus may not suit all travellers
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works for anyone who likes wine but doesn't want stuffy; the brewery and cidery stops make it genuinely mixed fun, not just grape-focused. If you're staying in Kelowna and want a day sorted without thinking about driving, the inclusions (pickup, transport, tasting fees) are solid. The speakeasy's a neat touch.
Lunch isn't included, so budget for that separately. Six hours involves a fair bit of standing and walking between venues, so worn shoes matter. The tour isn't recommended for anyone with cardiovascular concerns or pregnant travellers. It does lean into daytime drinking—if that's not your groove, it won't click. Peak season (summer) can mean busier tasting rooms.
Bring sunscreen and a hat for outdoor patio time; water's provided. Tips aren't included in the price. Groups vary, but small-group dynamics are part of the appeal. Book ahead in summer.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.