Lariana Cellars

Lariana Cellars is a small family-run winery tucked into a residential corner of Osoyoos at 9304 2nd Avenue, close to the shores of Osoyoos Lake in the hot, dry southern tip of the Okanagan Valley. The property began as a lakeside holding with fruit trees, and as the owners tell it, it was not until 2007 that the promise of a shiny new tractor inspired them to replace their orchard with grapevines. Richard Cleave, one of the Okanagan's most respected pioneer grape growers, guided the initial vineyard development, and after selling their grapes locally for three years the family decided to take the plunge, founding Lariana Cellars in 2012. The result is one of the South Okanagan's quiet gems, a boutique producer focused on small lots of premium wine.

The portfolio is deliberately tight, built around three varieties well suited to the site: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Viognier. The winery credits its location for the wines' depth, with hot, dry days, cool crisp nights, and the moderating effect of Osoyoos Lake creating an ideal environment for ripe, flavourful grapes. Visits are by reservation, and the winery welcomes families and pets, with a wine club available for those who want regular access to its limited production. Lariana's wines carry BC VQA certification. For wine tourists basing themselves in Osoyoos, Canada's warmest town, Lariana makes a worthwhile appointment alongside the area's larger estates, offering the chance to taste seriously crafted small-lot wines and chat with the people who grow them, just minutes from the beaches and desert hills of the valley bottom.