"Just thought I'd let you know that the three ladies that had a wine tour with you yesterday loved it. They went on one last year in Kelowna and said yours surpassed it by far."

Remember to Post Your Photos to Our Facebook page!

Visit our Facebook page to post your photos from your visit to our areas wonderful wineries. We look forward to you sharing your photos with other past Top Cat clients who have enjoyed their time with us. People from Australia, South America, Great Britain, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Thank you for choosing us for your experience. We welcome you back anytime.

Top Cat Tours Where 'All Inclusive' is King!

 

Top Cat Tours is one of the oldest established wine tour companies in the Okanagan. Over twelve years ago we were bringing incredulous visitors to some of the finest wineries in the Okanagan Valley. Our reputation and popularity are reflected in the emails and comments we receive.

We invite you to come along with us as we taste our way through some international award winning wines with a delicious lunch along the way. Thousands have traveled with us through the spectacular wines of the Naramata Bench, Summerland and the South Okanagan and we invite you to do the same. See our tours below.

More...
SOUTH OKANAGAN TOUR
** ALL INCLUSIVE **		 SUMMERLAND TOUR
** EVERY DAY ALL INCLUSIVE **		 NARAMATA BENCH DAILY TOUR
** EVERY DAY ALL INCLUSIVE **		 NARAMATA HALF DAY TOUR
** NEW THIS SEASON **
South Okanagan

The South Okanagan landscape is the closest resemblance to the Sonoran Desert it is a part of from way down Mexico way. Scorpions inhabit the area hiding under rocks which is the main terroir of the area. Lots of rocks and glacial till but none of the silt associated with the more Northern regions of tha Okanagan.


A few degrees hotter than the North just 30 km away as well, the majority of red grapes are grown here while a few white varieties that flourish in the area produce more tropical notes than it's counterparts in the North. This is known as Pinot Noir country and there are national and international awards to prove it.


Come along with us as we visit some of the over 50 wineries in the South Okanagan as we make believers out of you. Click here for more info.

 		 Summerland

Summerland's Bottleneck Drive offers some of the most interesting and popular wineries in the valley. Besides some of the larger wineries with international award winning sparkling wine (Champagne method), the Summerland tour embarks upon an adventure that will expose you to some very small, international award winning wineries that arguably produce the best wines in the valley.


Glacial silt, till and volcanic rock with a Eastern exposure gives relief to the hot afternoons and creates an environment where Gewurztraminer rules! Kerners, reislings and cold weather grapes grow wonderfully here. Great minerality and high acidity makes the whites crisp and refreshing!


You'll have an opportunity to partake in sparkling wines, fruit wines, ice wines, organic wines, table wines (of course!) and port style wines. Lunch at Zia's is a meal you won't soon forget! Bring your camera. Click here for more details!

 Summerland

The Naramata Bench is a small section of road (10 km) on the East side of Okanagan Lake that lays claim to over 35 world class wineries. This areas terroir is unique from anywhere else in the valley boasting the perfect micro climates for reds and white. The majority of the 'Bench' is glacial silt with under lying till and sediment and under that, bedrock. There isn't a bad view anywhere on the tour!


The wines produced in the area are fruity, bold, aromatic and flavorful. Acidity is unusually good and sugar levels vary year upon year. The majority of wineries are 'boutique', farm gate or estate so production is very limited and quality is very high.


This tour runs daily, picking up from local accommodations and is a full day. Join us as we experience the Naramata Bench first hand and perhaps meet some local wine celebrities! Click here for more details!

 Summerland

A half day tour that runs for 3 1/2 hours in the afternoons that visits up to 4 wineries.

 

Arriving late in the day? This your chance to enjoy all the same great wineries that you would get on a full day!

Book now to ensure your spots!
$115+GST Pick up is at 10:15-10:45 am depending on your location.
Return 3:30-4 pm.
$85+GST Pick up at 10:15-10:45 am depending on your location.
Return 3:30-4 pm.
$85+GST Pick up at 10:15-10:45 am depending on your location.
Return 3:30-4 pm.
$55+GST Pickup at 1 pm

Return by 4:30 pm

Our First Official Tour of the Season

Donna, Dale, Val and Steve pose in the sun outside Township 7(For more photos or our trip and to experience Top Cat Tour's journeys on a daily basis visit our Facebook page!) What a year it's going to be! The first tour of the season was on the Easter weekend and we couldn't have had better weather. We visited Township 7, Ruby Blues, Hillside Winery and of course the Bistro for lunch then off to van Westen, Therapy and finishing at Elephant Island.
 
Val, Steve, Dale and Donna had done some touring on their own in the past but were surprised by the quality and character of the wineries we visited.
 
We always have great times on our tours and this group is coming along with us to discover some of the other areas in the valley. We look forward to their return!
 
Our day started with Township 7 where we were introduced to their new released whites and reds as well as some older vintages which are always a treat. As always, the Chardonnay and Merlot were very popular as both were the official wines of the 100 anniversary Calgary Stampede as well as multiple award winners. The new Sauvignon Blanc was a great addition as well for those who enjoy seafood and light summer salads.
 
Rick's smiling face at Ruby Blues Winery. One of our favorite stops.We proceeded to Ruby Blues next which is always a favorite among our clients. The staff, the wines and the artistic decor provide an amazing experience. For those familiar with Ruby Blues you'll be happy to know that Prudence's custom shoes are still there as well as 'Dawn', the winery dog who's also head of security.You must give a belly scratch upon entering and also watch where you step when you leave.
 
Prudence was there as was Denis, Maureen and Rick, and Jim, a new member of the team who's going to be a wonderful addition! The Red Stiletto was popular among the group and we also suggest you try the Pinot Gris, a new release which is looking particularly lovely this year.
 
Our next stop was Hillside Winery and Bistro where we took advantage of both namesakes. We started with the tasting and were disappointed that the Muscat Ottonel was not released at that time but fair warning, it is being released at the Spring Wine Festival and I can say with utmost confidence that it is spectacular! (I was in the next day and ran into Duncan McCowan, the owner who just happened to produce a bottle for 'promotional purposes'.). Stupendous.
 
Duncan McCowan beside the bistro's sign welcoming you to amazing culinary experience from chef Rob Cordonier
 
Our next stop was the Bistro where we were pleased to see almost all the same faces that had enchanted us last year. The menu has some new items but the 'Benchmark Burger', which is an important staple to one of our drivers, was back on the menu along with several other treasured delights. The boys all ordered burgers while the girls each had something different. 'Tartine of Little Qualicum Brie' and the 'Sautéed White Tiger Prawns & Chorizo'.
 
There was not much wine imbibed during lunch as the group had been tasting all morning and they knew there was more to come.
 
Once we picked up our wine purchases we headed back to the bus to start the second half of the day where we learned Van Westen was open. Always a huge treat to visit Rob and his characteristic old world wines. As the wines aren't available in many locations outside Naramata we always jump at the chance to visit Van Westen. Rob greeted us as we entered the winery and flattened our group with some of the best wines they said that they had ever tasted. Rob's character shined through as he enthusiastically explained and entertained his way through the portfolio and everyone left knowing they'd experienced something unique.
 
My tour enjoys "Group Therapy"!
 
Therapy was next on our tour and Nick was there to greet us. The tasting room was fairly full as we entered so we took the opportunity to watch Winemaker Steve carbonate some of his delicious 'Fizziotherapy' and to look out over the lake as it sparkled in the sun. An amazing view which can be yours while you stay at Therapy's B+B.
 
Nick took us through their portfolio. The gang enjoyed the 'Freudian Sip' and the 'Alter Ego' was quite a hit. We even had a chance to try the Fizziotherapy Steve was working on in the cellar. For those who are familiar with this extraordinary winery you'll be pleased to know the new releases are being bottle as we speak and should be released within a few weeks after they settle.
 
On to the last stop of the day as well as one of the most popular wineries on the Bench and one of the most unique as the main staple of Elelphant Island is their fruit wines. This driver has trouble picking a favorite but was very surprised by the speed at which his bottle of 'Stella Cherry Port' disappeared over Christmas. Honestly thought it would last a few weeks but there's still some left so the loss is their gain as another bottle was immediately purchased.
 
On the way back we stopped at the Bench Artisan Market so we could pickup some local artisan bread, cheeses and other sundries to enjoy with the wine bought during the tour. What a great day! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. !
 
 
 
 

Ariane Design Tours Naramata Bench

Ariane Design is well known and respected as a professional designer and blogger.With thousands of followers, Ariane has toured and reported on many of the wine areas in BC. We were honored to have her and her husband join us for our Naramata Bench Daily Tour and were extremely pleased that they enjoyed themselves so much.

Ariane Design joins Top Cat
 

Here is a link to Ariane Design and one of her articles about their experience with Top Cat. We invite Ariane back anytime she wishes and are sure that you and your party will enjoy yourselves just as much as she and her partner did. Book now to ensure your spot on our most popular tours during the peak season and holidays!

 

 

Okanagan Life's Reader's Choice #1 Tour Guides of the South Okanagan!

Once again Top cat Tours is the Okanagan's choice for Best Tour Guide of the South Okanagan!

Okanagan Life Magazine's Reader's ChoiceTop Cat Tours is once again honored to be chosen as the South Okanagan's #1 tour company! We certainly work hard to see that our clients are given the best experience possible and you've noticed!

Thank you to everyone who has chosen Top cat Tours as their South Okanagan tour experience! We had fun as well! We look forward to achieving the same success in the coming season. We have some new tours and new wineries to visit as well as the same great locations we've visited in the past.

See the Reader's Choice PDF here.
Book your tour NOW so you are not disappointed!

 

Additional information