Food & Beverage

This region is one of the best places for fresh produce to grow. With Canada’s Fruit Stand Capital, Keremeos, and the Organic Farming Capital of Canada, Cawston, you can count on enjoying seasonal produce sourced from local farmers during your visit.

The Thompson Okanagan has long been home to many orchards that grow all kinds of fruits from cherries to peaches and apples. A steam ferry once transported fruit up and down the Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, from Vernon to Penticton. Over time some orchards transitioned to vineyards, like Fitzpatrick Winery that sits on Gretta Ranch, once a Peach farm repurposed to vineyard and beautiful grounds of the winery.

Today, farming is still a major industry in the region and grows all kinds of produce that you will find at farmer’s markets, in fruit stands, and in your fresh farm to table meals at many of the restaurants and bistros in throughout.

The Thompson Okanagan is home to three wine regions, the Okanagan Valley, the Thompson Valley, and the Similkameen Valley. Each are composed of unique climates that create an excellent portfolio of multiple varietals found in the region.

The Okanagan Valley is a widely recognized wine region that is home to over 200 wineries that produce multiple varietals of wine. It’s unique climate and terroirs offers the perfect place for vineyards to thrive. Along with the Okanagan valley is the up and coming Thompson Valley offers quality wines and winery experiences. The Similkameen Valley is a tranquil destination that has hillsides composed of vineyards.

Within the region winery you will find unique winery experiences and many options of wine tours.

Breweries and cideries have begun to pop up all over British Columbia and in the Thompson Okanagan. In fact, the region is a prominent portion of the BC Ale Trail offering unique and traditional flavours of beer along with delicious food items to pair it with. Breweries offer a unique environment for people to come together and enjoy craft beer that has been created to represent the brewery itself and showcase the surrounding community.

Along with breweries you will find cideries throughout the region that create their beverages from fresh fruit picked from local orchards. Much like breweries and cideries, distilleries offer a unique experience to taste different spirits that are unique to their home distillery and the Thompson Okanagan.

The Thompson Okanagan is known for its abundance of farm to table restaurants and bistros, who work hard to source their products from local growers. Here you will find top chefs from around the world who’s main focus is to an unforgettable culinary experience.

Whether you are looking to grab a quick bite at a coffee shop, enjoy lunch at a casual restaurant, or indulge in a fine dinning experience, you will be able to find the culinary experience suited for you and your cravings.