Five Decades of Cool Climate Winemaking at Gray Monk
The lake unfolds below, sunlight tracing the curves of the vineyards as they rise along the hillside. This is Gray Monk Estate Winery, where the Okanagan reveals itself slowly and with intention. Before the first glass is poured, there is a sense that this is a place shaped by people who have stayed, tended, and believed. The land feels known. The view feels earned.
Early in your visit, the quiet confidence of the estate becomes apparent through the work of Vineyard Manager Jordan Leboe. His journey has unfolded alongside these vines for more than two decades, beginning with a summer job and evolving into a lifelong dedication to the land. From hands-on work in the fields to overseeing the Gray Monk’s North Okanagan vineyards today, his stewardship is reflected in the health of the vines, the integrity of the fruit, and the relationships fostered with growers across the region.
The roots of the estate reach back to 1972, when founders George and Trudy Heiss stood at the forefront of a defining moment for British Columbia wine. Their passion to produce and sell wine made from their own grapes helped launch the estate winery program, widely regarded as a turning point for the province. With European heritage and a pioneering spirit, they introduced Pinot Gris to BC and championed cool-climate varietals that would come to define the Okanagan Valley. Today, the estate continues under the ownership of Andrew Peller Limited, honouring that original vision while embracing thoughtful innovation.
As spring gives way to summer, the winery opens itself fully to exploration. You are invited to experience the Estate in ways that match both curiosity and pace. Inside the door of the tasting room, Taste of the Estate offers a seated tasting of five Estate wines, paired with sweeping views of Okanagan Lake and stories drawn from decades of winemaking. Our
Odyssey Tasting elevates the journey further, featuring five premium wines from the Odyssey collection, highlighting expressive sparkling wines and refined reds that speak to balance and craftsmanship.
For those seeking deeper immersion, the Gray Monk Estate Tour guides you through the vineyards and into the cellar, revealing how philosophy, technique, and terroir come together in each bottle. A surprise food pairing adds an unexpected moment of pleasure before the experience concludes with a seated tasting. In the intimate setting of the Winemaker’s Library, an educational tasting of Estate and Odyssey wines offers insight into structure, style, and seasonal nuance.
Dining at The Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk completes the experience. Service is polished and unobtrusive, allowing the setting to lead. A guided tasting pairs award-winning wines with thoughtfully crafted culinary accompaniments, creating a seamless dialogue between flavour and place. For a shorter visit, The Monk’s Pour offers a focused introduction to four signature wines at the tasting bar, ideal for returning guests or those seeking a refined pause on the Scenic Sip Wine Trail.
At the heart of the estate’s present and future is Jen Oishi. Born and raised in the Okanagan Valley, her path to winemaking began in science and led her back home. Joining the winery in 2011 as a laboratory technician, she refined her craft under the mentorship of Roger Wong before stepping into the role of winemaker in 2020. Her approach honours the estate’s cool-climate roots while embracing innovation with restraint, creating wines that are clean, fresh, and approachable.
This spring, Jen welcomes wine club members to the relaunch of the Winemaker’s Dinner on March 18 and March 19. Guided by Jen herself, the evening invites members into direct conversation about the philosophy behind the wines, with curated courses by Chef Chris Jealouse and pairings announced closer to the dates. Seating is limited, and reservations are required.
As your visit draws to a close, the invitation extends beyond the day. The Monk’s Cellar Club offers continued connection through quarterly deliveries of six handpicked wines, access to exclusive releases, and insights from the winemaking team. It is an invitation to remain part of the story, season after season, glass by glass.