If you're looking for wineries in Summerland, BC with something genuinely different, start at 21606 Bridgeman Road — and be prepared to stay longer than you planned.
Observatory Wines sits above Okanagan Lake at 400 metres of elevation, with north views to Peachland, east views to Okanagan Mountain, and south views to Naramata. It's one of the most dramatic tasting room settings in the South Okanagan. The wines are made to match that clarity.
The Winemaker: Blair Gillingham
Blair Gillingham founded Observatory Wines after more than two decades honing his craft — working harvests in the Okanagan, New Zealand, Australia, and Austria before returning to Summerland to build something of his own. His first harvest in the valley was at Sumac Ridge Winery in 2001, just down the road.
Observatory started as a passion project specializing in Grüner Veltliner — a variety most wineries here wouldn't touch — and has grown into a full estate operation with its own vineyard, tasting room, and picnic area.
The Portfolio: Specific, Intentional, Unrepeatable
Observatory doesn't make a dozen wines and hope something sticks. Every bottle traces back to a real place and a real decision.
The Observatory Red
A bold Black Sage Bench blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec — aged two years in barrel. Big fruit, strong spice, real tension. Enjoy now through 2030.
The 2023 Grüner Veltliner
Sourced from Pipe Dreams Vineyard in Oliver, this is BC Grüner done right — ripe fruit, a round palate, and natural malolactic complexity that gives it weight without heaviness. It's the wine that started Blair's obsession with the variety and it's still the one that surprises people most.
The Bubble Telescope
The 2024 Bubble Telescope is a 100% BC sparkling wine — no imports. Made in collaboration with Alderlea Vineyards on Vancouver Island (where Blair grew up), this is a 60/20/20 blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. Island fruit, Okanagan winemaking, and the kind of bubbles that make you wonder why you don't drink more BC sparkling.
Planning Your Visit to Observatory Wines in Summerland
Observatory Wines opens Friday through Sunday in April, then transitions to a fuller schedule in May. Walk-ins are welcome for small groups — larger parties should book ahead via the booking link on their website.
The $10 tasting fee covers a full flight of current releases, back vintages, unique varietals, and bubbles. The picnic area is open. The views are free.
Why Summerland?
Summerland sits on the western shore of Okanagan Lake between Peachland to the north and Penticton to the south — close enough to both to make it a natural stop on any South Okanagan wine route. The benchland elevation gives it a longer diurnal temperature swing than the valley floor, which translates to brighter acidity and more aromatic complexity in the wines.
It's an underrated wine destination compared to the Naramata Bench or Oliver — which means less traffic, more genuine hospitality, and producers like Blair Gillingham who are here because they want to be, not because it's fashionable.
Find Observatory Wines at 21606 Bridgeman Road, Summerland, BC. Follow for limited releases and seasonal updates at observatorywines.ca.