Orofino Vineyards

Orofino Vineyards is a family-run winery on the sunny upper bench at Cawston, in the heart of the Similkameen Valley, where steep mountain walls hem in a narrow ribbon of farmland renowned for organic agriculture. Producing vineyard-focused wines since 2003, Orofino has become one of the valley's benchmark producers, drawing on sites that range from sandy loam to granite-studded soils to make wines that speak clearly of place. The winery itself is notable for its eco-friendly straw bale construction, with solar panels capturing the Similkameen sunshine for electricity and hot water, a fitting expression of the low-impact farming philosophy that runs through the whole operation. Visitors are welcomed at the tasting room on Barcelo Road, where the lineup of small-lot wines can be sampled with mountain and vineyard views in every direction, and the winery's track record includes recognition at the 2025 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.

What sets Orofino apart for travellers is the chance to stay the night: the on-site Orofino Vineyard Suites and Guest House lets guests wake up amid the vines, making it a genuine destination for a slower-paced Similkameen visit rather than a quick tasting stop. The property also hosts weddings, seasonal celebrations and pop-up dining experiences through the year, and committed fans can join the Collectors Club for regular allocations. Cawston sits just south of Keremeos, about a half hour west of the South Okanagan wine towns of Oliver and Osoyoos, so Orofino works beautifully as part of a Similkameen day trip or as a quieter overnight alternative to the busier Okanagan circuit. For anyone curious about why this small valley has earned such an outsized reputation among BC wine lovers, an afternoon on Orofino's bench is a persuasive introduction.