Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard

Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard is a small-batch producer in Creston, set in the Kootenays of southeastern British Columbia, a region whose wineries remain a well-kept secret compared with the busier Okanagan. The Creston Valley enjoys a long, warm growing season tucked between mountain ranges, and Skimmerhorn has built its reputation on cool-climate and estate-grown wines that reflect that distinctive terroir. The winery's lineup spans crisp aromatic whites such as Ortega, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, a rosé, and a range of reds including Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch, alongside its own specialty blends like Kootenay Crush and Autumn Tryst and a premium estate reserve tier, with most bottles falling in an approachable price range. Visitors will find a relaxed destination that combines a wine shop with an on-site bistro, where tastings can be enjoyed and estate wines and merchandise purchased. The bistro setting makes Skimmerhorn a place to slow down, pairing a glass with a bite while taking in the surrounding vineyard and the mountain scenery that defines this corner of the province. The winery operates seasonally and reopens each spring for the new season, so it is at its liveliest through the warmer months when the Creston Valley's orchards and farms are in full swing. For travellers exploring the Kootenays, Skimmerhorn offers a chance to taste wines that rarely make it far beyond the region, in a setting that feels genuinely off the beaten path. Because hours and bistro service follow the season, it is worth checking the winery's website or calling ahead before visiting, particularly outside the peak summer period, to confirm current tasting and dining availability.