This 3,000 population town lies on the west bank of Okanagan Lake, midway between Penticton and Kelowna. The town was founded in 1897 by John M Robinson, a newsman and entrepreneur from Manitoba, who went on to found Summerland and Naramata over the next decade.
He came to try his luck at mining and realized that the local peaches were easier to harvest. He added irrigation to the land, and subdivided his land. The rolling countryside and gentle climate makes it ideal for farming and fruit growing.
The area also has a strong forestry and mining base. Brenda Mines has a complex above Highway 97 for extracting copper and molybdenum that has been operational since the 1970s.
Other Links
Peachland Museum
5890 Beach Ave
250-767-3441
This museum is housed in a former 1910 Baptist church, unusual in its 8-sded wooden structure. Photos and displays of orchard development are open daily in July an August.
Parrot Island
Peachland
250-769-6911
This attraction features over 100 exotic birds in tropical settings, including macaws, parrots and toucans. The various stages of parrot growth are illustrated in the Education Centre. Open April to October, 10 am to 4 pm until June, and 9:30 to 5:50 until October.
Silver Lake Forestry Centre
16 km west on Brenda Mine Rd (right fork), off Princeton Ave
250-860-6410
This centre, managed by the Silver Lake Society, houses forestry artifacts, including construction, harvesting, logging, and firefighting.
Antlers Beach Provincial Park
just south of town
This park is on both sides of highway 97. One side has a sandy beach, the other has a waterfall of Deep Creek. The creek is a kokanee spawning run after mid-September.
Peachland Wineries
Here are the wineries in & around Peachland:
First Estate Cellars
5031 Cousins Road
Peachland, BC V0H 1Z0
(250 ) 767-9526 Toll-free: (888) 377-8788 Fax: (250) 767-9528
Peachland, BC
This is the oldest and newest estate winery in B.C. In 1978, Chateau John de Trepanier received British Columbia’s first license for a winery committed to making 100 percent B.C. wines, which explains its name, First Estate Cellars.
Greata Ranch Vineyards
697 Highway 97S
Peachland, BC V0H 1X9
250-767-2768 fax: 250-767-2758
Hours of Operation: May-Oct: Daily, 10am to 6pm; Vineyard Tours daily at 11am and 2pm; Nov-Apr please call for Wine Shop hours.
Features include: Tasting Bar and Wine Boutique, Lakeview Verandah, Restaurant on Premises.
Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery
Winemaker: Tilman Hainle
Box 650, 5355 Trepanier Bench Road,
Peachland, BC, V0H 1X0
Phone (250) 767-2525 or 1-800-767-3109
Fax (250) 767-2543
Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery is a small, family-run winery dedicated to producing naturally dry, fully fermented wines. This historic winery and Canada’s first producer of certified organic wine. Their wines are traditionally handcrafted using wine-making recipes from the mid 1800’s without the use of chemicals or additives. They use only their best estate-grown grapes from their Peachland organic vineyards. Wine shop open daily for tasting and shopping 10 am to 5 pm. Tapas Bistro open Tuesday to Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.