All aboard! Exploring the bounty of Summerland on the Bottleneck Drive

On the west side of Okanagan Lake, situated about halfway between Peachland to the north and Penticton to the south, you’ll find Summerland.

The small town, which boasts a population of around 10,600, is home to a healthy section of pristine lakefront, a quant downtown centre — and an impressive share of homegrown wineries, cideries, breweries and distillers.

“Summerland is a unique geographical sub region with amazing soils, ideal weather for growing grapes and apples, and other tree fruits,” Christine Coletta, owner of Haywire Winery and a member of the Bottleneck Drive association, says. “It is one of the few quaint towns with thriving local businesses left in the area. Main Street is off the highway, and the town also has several lakefront parks with beaches, which makes it a lovely surprise.”

The town, Coletta confirms, has a lot to offer if you take a turn off the highway.