50th Parallel Estate Winery

Why it stands out

50th Parallel Estate Winery is one of Lake Country's signature destination wineries: a polished estate built around Pinot Noir, aromatic white wines, dramatic architecture, vineyard views, and full hospitality through BLOCK ONE Restaurant. Curtis Krouzel and Sheri-Lee Turner-Krouzel started the vineyard from scratch, hand-planting the first 10 acres in 2009 and gradually developing the rocky, sloped Lake Country site into more than 55 acres under vine.

The estate's setting is a major part of the experience. The property sits above Okanagan Lake with the kind of sun exposure, lake reflectivity, slope, and airflow that make Lake Country attractive for cool-climate varieties. 50th Parallel has leaned into that location with a modern winery, a transparent tasting room, a gravity-flow production facility, and architecture that feels intentionally built for the site rather than dropped onto it.

The wine focus

Pinot Noir is the calling card here. 50th Parallel describes Pinot Noir as the only red wine produced on the estate, with the rest of the portfolio built around carefully chosen aromatic whites, Chardonnay, traditional-method sparkling wine, and a dry Pinot Noir Rose style. That focused lineup makes the winery especially useful for guests who want a clear sense of house style instead of a long list of unrelated varieties.

The estate story is also tied to winemaker Matthew Fortuna, who has been with 50th Parallel since 2013 and works with the vineyard team as the estate vines continue to mature. For guests who are interested in the wine itself, this is a good stop to talk about why Lake Country can be strong for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, sparkling wine, and Rose.

What to expect on a visit

The tasting experience is more structured and polished than many smaller casual wineries. Guests are hosted in the modern Transparent Tasting Room, surrounded by vineyards and Lake Okanagan views, with guided pours through a set tasting lineup. Appointments are recommended because booked tastings are prioritized over walk-ins, and standard online tastings are designed for smaller groups.

This is also a winery where guest expectations matter. 50th Parallel has clear tasting-room policies, including guidance around larger groups and a no-costume rule for items such as sashes, tiaras, feather boas, or suggestive party attire. For bachelorette groups, birthday groups, and celebration tours, that does not mean the winery is off limits; it simply means the group should arrive winery-ready rather than party-costume-ready.

Food and hospitality

BLOCK ONE Restaurant is a major reason to build 50th Parallel into a Lake Country route. The restaurant name refers to the first vineyard block planted in 2009, and the dining space connects directly to the estate's origin story. Outdoor seating, vineyard views, the cantilevered architectural feature, and the wood-fired forno create a more complete destination stop than a tasting-room-only visit.

For tour planning, that makes 50th Parallel useful when guests want wine and food in the same stop, or when a Lake Country itinerary needs a premium anchor with a stronger sense of place. It can work as a lunch stop, a slower-paced tasting stop, or a scenic final winery before returning toward Kelowna.

Tour planning notes

50th Parallel is best suited to guests who want a polished estate experience, lake views, architecture, Pinot Noir, aromatic whites, and the option of restaurant time. It is less suited to groups looking for a loose party-style tasting, oversized drop-in groups, or a quick in-and-out stop with no reservation structure.

For Kelowna Wine Tours, it fits especially well on Lake Country routes for first-time visitors, couples, food-focused guests, and wine-curious groups who want one of the area's most recognizable winery experiences. Because the estate is only a short drive from Kelowna and close to other Lake Country wineries, it can be paired efficiently with nearby Scenic Sip stops while keeping the day organized and scenic.