Wheelchair-Accessible Wineries and Farms in BC: An Honest List

Most BC wineries sit on slopes — that's literally why the grapes grow there. The same geology that makes the wine good makes the visit hard for anyone who uses a wheelchair, a walker, or just can't manage stairs and uneven ground. A growing number of wineries and farms have done real work on accessibility. Some have lift-equipped vans for vineyard tours. Some have rebuilt their tasting rooms with level entries and accessible washrooms. A few are still in the 'parking lot is steep but the tasting room is fine once you're inside' category. Here's what's actually accessible and what 'accessible' looks like at each. We checked with the venues directly. Okanagan Mission Hill Family Estate (West Kelowna). Fully accessible from parking to tasting bar to terrace. Designated accessible parking near the front entrance. The vineyard tour uses a paved path that's wheelchair-friendly. Accessible washrooms on both floors. Quails' Gate Winery (West Kelowna). Level entry to the tasting room and patio. Old Vines Restaurant is on the same level. Accessible parking. The terraced vineyards aren't navigable but you can see them from the patio. CedarCreek Estate Winery (East Kelowna). The renovated tasting room (2021) is fully accessible. The Home Block restaurant is on the same level. Patio has level access. Time Family of Wines (Penticton). New build with accessibility designed in. Level entry, wide aisles, accessible washrooms. The tasting room sits on the main floor with no internal stairs. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery (Oliver). Tasting room and Sonora Room restaurant both accessible. The guest house property is partially accessible — call ahead to discuss room options. Hester Creek Estate Winery (Oliver). Recently renovated. The tasting room is level-entry; Terrafina restaurant has level access through the side entrance. Vancouver Island Blue Grouse Estate Winery (Duncan). The new tasting room (2017) was built with full accessibility. Level entry, accessible bathroom, designated parking. Unsworth Vineyards (Mill Bay). Mostly accessible. The tasting room and main restaurant patio are level; the upper deck has stairs. Call ahead if you want a guaranteed accessible table. Merridale Cidery (Cobble Hill). The bistro is fully accessible. The orchard walks are gravel paths that work for some wheelchairs and not others — the staff will give you a real read on conditions. Fraser Valley Krause Berry Farms (Langley). The estate winery's tasting room is level entry. The u-pick fields are an uneven dirt path. Staff have been known to walk berries out to people who can't get into the field. Driediger Farms (Langley). The farm store is accessible. U-pick is on grass and dirt, partially navigable depending on conditions and equipment. What 'accessible' doesn't always include A few things to ask about before you commit to a drive: • Pour height. Some tasting bars are 42 inches. A few wineries will set up a lower table on request — ask when you book. • Vineyard tours. Many properties offer a tasting-only experience for visitors who can't do the vineyard walk, but it's not always advertised. Ask. • Restaurants vs. tasting rooms. Some wineries are accessible in one and not the other. The restaurant is usually newer and better. • Service animals. All licensed wineries in BC are required to allow guide dogs and service animals. If you've been turned away, that's not legal. What we'd love to see more of Most BC wineries do not publish accessibility information on their websites. The ones that do (Mission Hill, Blue Grouse, Time) make it dramatically easier for visitors to plan a day. If you're a winery operator reading this and you've done the work, please put it on your About page. It costs you nothing and it brings in visitors who'd otherwise skip the trip. If you've visited a winery we haven't mentioned and it's accessible, email us — we update this list quarterly.