Lakeboat may well be the Okanagan’s most tucked-away winery hiding in plain view. If you’ve been to the valley recently, chances are you’ve driven (almost) right past it. This small, terroir focused winery is nestled in the heart of picturesque Kaleden, right by the junction of highways 3A and 97A.
The community stretches from the highway down a steep hill to the shores of Skaha Lake below. Coming from the coast, heading north on Hwy 97A, if you see Doug’s Homestead you’ve missed the turnoff. That’s OK. Because, when you pull into the parking lot to turn around you can (must!) stop by Doug’s for the best smoked pork chops, beef jerky and so on. Pick up almost anything meat-wise your heart desires. There’s even frozen haggis—just in case you need to get ready now for next year’s Burns night.
As for the name Kaleden, (it has nothing to do with Kale!) it derives from the Greek ‘kalos’ (which means ‘beautiful’) and ‘Eden’—as in the Garden of… It was named in a competition when the town was founded by European settlers in 1909.
A long history of fruit farming
Kaleden is actually home to some of the valley’s oldest vinifera plantings. As in many communities, orchard fruits were planted initially. However, many were eventually pulled out in favour of vines. In fact 2025 marks 50 years since the planting of Kaleden’s first vineyard. Much of the fruit was contracted to Gray Monk, with grapes shipped north to Okanagan Centre.
Back in the day, peaches and apples from early Okanagan orchards were almost all transported to the main shipping centres by boat. However, navigation on the Okanagan River between Skaha and Okanagan lakes was extremely challenging.
SS Kaleden, built in 1910 to run on the Okanagan River between Penticton and Kaleden, photo BC Archives
Right around the same time Kaleden was established, dredging commenced to create what would eventually become the Penticton channel so popular today with recreational floaters. Unfortunately, though, despite all efforts the dredged river was never rendered reliably navigable and even shallow draught vessels frequently ran aground. They included the namesake SS Kaleden—on her maiden voyage in 1910.
A rapid revival
The management team of Lakeboat owner Tara Mathison and GM / winemaker Mireille Sauvé has emerged as a dynamic duo that’s resurrected this previously struggling property. In the space of just three years, not only have they transformed the winery into a serious contender, they’ve also helped raise the profile of the surrounding community.
“The vineyard has been completely revamped,” says Sauvé, “It had suffered a lot under the previous ownership, so we’ve worked hard to bring it back to life, in great part using regenerative agriculture.” She adds that not only is the fruit “once more usable” but “actually pretty spectacular.”
Lakeboat has also undertaken major upgrades to equipment and the winery’s production facilities, as well as opening an attractive and airy tasting room. (Plus, if you drive an EV there’s also complimentary charging…)
“We’ve even developed a little picnic area in our cherry orchard,” says the Lakeboat winemaker. “It’s fantastic for events, super cute—and, actually, in the heat of summer, it’s about four or five degrees cooler there than everywhere else in the Okanagan. Those cherry trees give a really nice shade.” Also, there’s that perpetual breeze, another worthy feature of this unique little wine-growing enclave.
Always a sense of terroir
Sauvé points to the way in which Lakeboat’s brand amplifies the idea of Kaleden as a legitimate and distinct wine region. “I really like it when wine can exemplify a sense of place. That makes it very special for me—and it kind of plays into the enjoyment for consumers,” she says.
“When I first got here, I talked to Tara (Mathison) about what she would think about having only Kaleden-grown wines. Obviously, it limits how we can get grapes, because this is such a tiny little area. But she was totally on board with helping to put Kaleden on the map—especially as far as the premium quality of grapes that it grows.”
A view of Kaleden with Lakeboat centre (supplied)
Sub-GI in the wings
Sauvé explains that the long term goal is to develop a Lakeboat reserve tier, “so that we can continue to grow the business and source grapes from other areas. But we’re not going to do that until a sub-Gi is firmly in place,” she says.
That process (which takes usually around about a year) is already well underway. “The preliminary research is done,” Sauvé reports, “So now it’s just about getting the community together—and making sure that everyone has a chance to have their voice heard.”
How the boundary will be defined remains to be seen. Plus it will also depend on feedback from the stakeholders. “To me, it’s a really clear area that’s on this side of the highway,” says Sauvé. “But if you look at Kaleden’s boundaries geographically, it’s really far into the mountains. I wouldn’t want to be a grape growing there! So the premium aspect of Kaleden as a grape growing region is on this side of the highway. I’m hoping that everyone else agrees.”
Sauvé says she’s “had conversations with everyone” and understands “what has to happen to move forward.” “It’s just about time right now. As in, just finding the time—because I still have to make wine in there somewhere!”
Other producers currently within the proposed Sub GI are Black Market Wine Co., Anthony Buchanan Wines (tasting room closed for 2024) and Birch Block Vineyard (tasting room planned in near future).
Riding out the storm
Lakeboat and its neighbours (some of whom grow grapes for the winery) were hit as hard as elsewhere by last winter’s (2023-2024) catastrophic freeze. However, wine from prior vintages, already in tank, will help carry them through the upcoming, busy wine touring season. This is true of several other wineries in the valley. And they all want you to know that—despite rumours you may have heard to the contrary—most have plenty of wine to sell.
The best news is that everything came through this past winter with flying colours. This spring’s assessment revealed live buds across the board, which promises to result in an excellent harvest for 2025.
Opening (very) soon!
If you’re Okanagan-bound make sure to include Lakeboat on your list. Though it may be well concealed, Kaleden is conveniently located in the middle of the valley, which makes it truly easy to include in any itinerary.
Lakeboat opens its season on April 19th, 2025, 11 am to 5 pm, with special Argentinian barbecue tastes to mark the occasion. The first 100 visitors will be treated to a free Choripán. Find more details about Lakeboat’s numerous events here.
Also well worth checking out is close-by Black Market (also opening this weekend). Don’t miss their Secret Society Red 2022 (HB 93 pts), and Pinot Blanc ’23 (HB 91 pts).
When you’re there be sure to drive right down the hill to explore the scenic waterfront and the remains of historic Hotel Kaleden. You can get a sense of just how grand things (briefly) were when you check out its imposing shell. You’ll note I don’t refer to it as ‘the ruins’, as the structure itself (while missing its roof and floors) is still pretty intact.
From Wikipedia: “In the townsite plans, land was reserved for a hotel, a larger store, a bank, and other public buildings. In fall 1911, hotel construction began. Expensively modern for the era, the concrete structure comprised 26 rooms, each with sleeping porch and bath. An upscale dining room catered to guests, and a downmarket one served the orchard workers. A private hydro plant supplied electricity. Operating for about two and a half years, the hotel closed temporarily when war broke out but never reopened. Facing dim prospects, the furniture and fittings were sold.”
Plans and fundraising are underway for a partial restoration, which will include a performance / reception space and outdoor dining in season.
Also, stop by gorgeous Linden Gardens and grab a picnic from Frog City Café.
Lakeboat winemaker Mireille Sauvé with wines
Lakeboat wine reviews (and more)
Here are some highlights from this spring’s recent tasting. A bonus, The Wine Umbrella wines are also on offer at Lakeboat. They’re a range of unique and innovative wines, made also by Mireille Sauvé, which help raise funds for the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Scholarship Fund.
This is a strong line-up, offering yet more proof that Lakeboat is a ‘winery to watch’, along with its neighbours and the hopefully soon-to-be-registered Kaleden Sub-GI.
Make sure you go visit!
Les Dames Brut 2017 BC VQA Okanagan Valley
These grapes were grown in the Sperling Organic vineyard, in Okanagan Mission, certified biodynamic / organic. A blend of 70 percent Pinot Blanc, 30 percent Riesling. Aged 19 months on the lees. This wine is a great indication of how well-made BC bubbles can age. I’ve tasted it a few times since release and it keeps getting better. Up front toasty and brioche notes with citrus hints, followed by mouth-filling palate of lemon and grapefruit pith notes through a lengthy close. Fresh and lively to the end. $39.95, 92 pts.
Lakeboat Pinot Gris 2023, Kaleden
Forward vibrant orchard and stone fruits followed by a delicious, peach and pear toned palate wrapped in juicy acidity with a streak of hallmark minerality. 21.95, 91 pts.
Lakeboat Chardonnay 2022, Kaleden
Buttery and tropical notes up front with some banana hints, followed by a well-rounded palate of well balanced fruit and acidity, lightly oaked, with citrus and mineral notes through the close. Of note, the previous vintage brought home a silver medal from this year’s prestigious Chardonnay du Monde competition. $30.95, 91 pts. (Available individually or as part of a three vintage 3 pack of 2021-2022-2023 bottles showcasing Lakeboat’s Chardonnay story. ($80.85)
Lakeboat Rosé 2023, Kaleden
Very pretty medium salmon colour in the glass. Up front red berries and stone fruits precede a luscious, subtly off-dry and generously fruity strawberry and rhubarb toned palate with some creamy notes. Very food friendly and picnic proper! Great value at $28.95, 91 pts.
Lakeboat Pinot Noir 2022, Kaleden
Appealing, savoury, earthy and forest floor notes on the nose, followed by a cherry and strawberry toned palate supported by nicely balanced fruit and acidity. Medium bodied, long finishing and very food friendly. A sure indication of great things to come, from an area where Pinot evidently does very well. Think wild mushroom risotto… and more! $29.95, 93 pts.
Lakeboat Merlot 2022, Kaleden
Up front wild blue and black berries with vanilla and lavender hints. A juicy entry with silky tannins and a broad mouthfeel, with spice, cassis and mocha flavours on the deliciously fruity palate through a lingering close. $34.95, 92 pts.
The Wine Umbrella Co-Syrah 2020
A splash of Viognier (9%) rounds out Osoyoos-grown Syrah in this Northern Rhone inspired blend, with up-front, wild red and black berry notes. A generous but focused palate, underpinned by well-balanced fruit and acidity. Meaty gamey and pepper notes emphasize the varietal character, with lingering cassis and anise hints to close. (Gold, 2023 National Wine Awards.) $39.95, 93 pts.
The Wine Umbrella Carmenere 2023
Forward blue and black fruits precede intense fruit flavours in this unabashedly bold yet seductively juicy red. Intense cassis, damson plum and toasty notes and a generous mouthfeel are supported by well integrated tannins, that still allow the purity of the fruit to shine, through an impressive lengthy close. $39.95, 93 pts
The Wine Umbrella Mm Rosé 2023 De-Alcoholized
In case you’re wondering about the Use of the term “dealcoholized“, legally, CFIA states that it “may be used to describe a product whose alcohol level has been reduced to a level less than 1.1%, as part of the common name (for example, dealcoholized wine). “Non-alcoholic” or “alcohol-free” may be used to describe a product whose alcohol level has been reduced to a level less than 0.05%, as part of the common name (for example, non-alcoholic beer).”
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