Grape Escapes Wine Tours

08/07/2024

Check out our latest recommendations on our blog post! Whether you're a seasoned local or a first time visitor to the Naramata and Penticton area, these stops are sure to delight!

Read the post here: https://grapeescapes.ca/discovering-the-best-of-the-naramata-wine-region-5-must-visit-wineries/

There are so many wineries we love to visit and we can't wait to tell you more about them in time! What are some of your favourites?

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07/30/2024

Hot off the press! Today we’re visiting one of the new kids on the block

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The Uppercase tasting room can be found along Skaha Lake in Okanagan Falls. Their vineyards range through the South Okanagan, including the Black Sage Bench and Osoyoos’ West Bench, creating stunning, rich Bordeaux style wines.

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We’re all about the great wine, great vibes, great views and good people. This place has it all!

07/30/2024

Did you know that in the 1980’s, some of the original vitis vinifera was planted on the Black Sage Bench on a site called Becker Vineyard? It’s not the earliest plantings in the valley, but it’s one of the sites that really kicked off the wine industry in the valley that we enjoy today. The beautiful estate calls this site home and still has some of the original 1993 plantings.

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While the grapes had a hard winter, rest assured, there is still so much wine to enjoy in the valley and beautiful vineyard views! This photo was taken recently by one of our guides on our Oliver and Osoyoos wine tour!

07/25/2024

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting in Summerland with Dani, Tanya and Rebekah! 🥂 have you had a chance to visit the wineries of Summerland’s Bottle Neck Drive?

07/23/2024

Check out the beautiful blue skies in Osoyoos today! These were captured fresh from the tractor at Harfman Vineyards, aka the family vineyard of Gina and

07/19/2024

It’s a beautiful morning in the South Okanagan and we’re loving the stunning wine and blue skies at 🥂 🌻

07/12/2024

Wow! ...we've just received the 2024 Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice Award! 🎉🎉🎉This week, we also reached 1200 five-star reviews! Thank you for all of the glowing reviews and kind words. We love making each tour special and your support means the world to us!

03/19/2024

Yes, this sap is an early sign of bud break! Spring has arrived, but after the extreme cold event in January, what’s in store for the 2024 season? Read our latest blog to learn more (link in bio).
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This weather event means many vineyards in the Okanagan will not have a harvest or much of a harvest this year.
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This doesn’t mean all of the vines are gone, but rather, the tender grape producing buds were damaged.
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Most of these vineyards are likely to be back up and producing next season, although some wineries are choosing to replant with more cold hearty varietals.
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The good news… the wineries still have plenty of wine!
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And small pockets of other good news….
We have our eye on a vineyard in Osoyoos that’s showing early signs of bud break. Pictured above, you can see sap weeping from freshly pruned vines, meaning bud break is around the corner. In spite of the widespread bud damage across the valley, there will be small pockets of vineyards with much less damage and others with simply low yields. These are certainly the exception, but it’s good news nonetheless!
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You might wonder why is this vineyard different? One factor is likely to be this vineyards location and sunny days warming the air during the cold snap as it saw less than 11 hours of cold in the danger zone, rather than the multiple days many other vineyards experienced. Stay tuned for updates as the season progresses!
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Let’s continue to support local and when possible buy direct!

12/14/2023

SnowBus Calendar 2023
December 16-24 inclusive/daily
December 25-26 closed/not operating
December 27-31 inclusive/daily
January 1 closed/not operating
January 6, 7, 13, 14, 15 (Pro-D), 20, 21, 27, 28
February 3, 4, 10, 11, 16 (Pro-D), 17, 18, 19 (Family Day), 24, 25
March 2, 3, 9, 10, 16-24 (1st week of Spring Break only)

12/06/2023

How do you gift the right bottle of wine?


It can be an incredibly personal choice when selecting a bottle of wine but there are some great rules of thumb to help guide even the most novice buyer.


Click our link in bio to read our latest blog post by Dino to learn more! It’s an easy 5 minute read with great ideas for gifting this holiday season 🥂

11/16/2023

Don’t miss these two very special upcoming events! Summerland’s Light up the Vines and the Naramata Bench Winterfest are happening soon…

Join a Summerland Light up the Vines tour:
❄️ Saturday, November 25
❄️ Friday, December 1
❄️ Saturday, December 2

Join a Naramata Bench Winterfest tour:
❄️ Friday, November 24
❄️ Saturday, November 25

Leave the driving to us and book your tour today!

Visit our website to book (link in bio) or phone the office at 778-781-0929.

11/15/2023

It’s almost time to Jingle and Mingle with the Penticton Chamber of Commerce and the Naramata Inn on November 30th!

Join us at our Jingle & Mingle Festive Luncheon Thursday, Nov 30 at Naramata Inn sponsored by Scotiabank

🎫 Online at PENTICTON.ORG

🚌 Elevate your Jingle & Mingle experience with the added convenience of a shuttle provided by Grape Escapes Wine Tours

✈️ Flight for two from Penticton to Vancouver, courtesy of Pacific Coastal Airlines - Chance to Win Grand Prize

🔐 Unlock the excitement with LockWorks Inc. One lucky key will open the lock, unveiling grand prize - flight for two. Will it be your key?

📸 Capture the festive moments at our photobooth, provided by Amuzing Fun Rentals

05/12/2023

Vote for us as the Best Wine Tour Company at...
https://bestof.pentictonnow.com/

04/26/2023

Book Now Grapeescapes.ca

04/24/2023

Are you a proven leader? An exceptional manager of people? Are you well presented, articulate and organized? Do you possess the skills to oversee a fast-paced tour business and to help navigate it on the path towards continued growth and success?

Grape Escapes Wine Tours and are seeking this exceptional person - somebody that will be recognized as the face of Grape Escapes Wine Tours.

The successful applicant will have experience in tourism and hospitality and be a proven manager of time and people.
The successful applicant will also have an exceptional ability in and a passion for managing our key accounts, selling and for winning new business. They will not have a preference for administrative duties, for operations or for a standard 9-5 working routine. They will relish the challenge of achieving the goals and targets that we set together and sharing in our success. They will bring ideas to the table and they will implement and execute them.

This role is highly rewarding for the right person and is a unique opportunity to really put your stamp on our business and share in its continued growth and successes.

This position could be highly attractive to a retired or semi-retired professional, or for a Hospitality - Tourism student seeking experience to further develop their skills.

POSITION SUMMARY:

~30% Business Development.
Helping to grow our already well established business in key markets such as: BC, Alberta, the rest of Canada, Washington State, and Oregon. This will involve winning new business from a variety of local accommodators and targeting provincial and national markets. It will also involve increasing the business that we receive from existing clients (accommodators) with regular updates, training of reservation staff and attendance at key trade shows, workshops and networking opportunities.
It will also be important to develop and implement appropriate new strategies to increase business from established markets through channels that you identify.
Planning and scheduling our Social Media Campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, Google My Business, and other channels.

~30% Management of current clients and accounts.
Assisting OTA’s and hotels / accommodators to create itineraries and customized travel experiences for their clients that differ from our 'off the shelf' touring products. Ensuring that we continue to go above and beyond for these valued clients and maintain the reputation that we have built with them over 13 years in business.
Assisting with the management of our Customer Reputation Programs on TripAdvisor, Google My Business, and Facebook.

~40% Assisting with general tour operations and administration duties.
Making reservations, generating tour itineraries and contacting wineries; managing our email database; follow-up with guests post tour; responding to guest emails, telephone calls, and other inquiries

This position can be seasonal (May through October) or flexible full-time.

Benefits include:
Health / Dental Plan, Flexible Schedule, Industry Discounts

To apply, send resume and covering letter to: winetours at GrapeEscapes dot ca

04/22/2023

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