Canada's 'Organic Farming Capital' Is A Bucolic Dream Filled With Endless Vineyards, Orchards, And Scenic Farms

Canada's West Coast province of British Columbia is often associated with dense rainforests, sharp ridges across its mountain ranges, and rugged, untouched wilderness. As impressive as these landscapes are, there is more to the province than its evergreen outdoors. What you may not know about B.C. is that it's among the world's youngest wine-making regions, and is home to the country's "organic farming capital". Cast your eye on the south of the province, where it borders Washington and Idaho, and you'll find the Okanagan Valley, where most of British Columbia's renowned vineyards are located. On its southern edge, bisected by the Similkameen River, lies the small community of Cawston, uniting scenic orchards and sustainable farms with vineyards galore.

Cawston is ideal for travelers seeking farm-to-fork experiences alongside bucolic views. You can start your day exploring a vineyard on foot (or on horseback) while admiring the Cascade Mountains, then make a reservation at a local eatery with a view, serving seasonal, organic dishes. Cawston earned the title of Canada's "organic farming capital" thanks to the bustling agriculture and viniculture, made possible by its climate conditions. Visiting during its peak tourism season in the summer months allows travelers to appreciate its hot days and breezy nights.

You can reach Cawston by driving 145 miles (about two and a half hours) south from Kelowna, the closest main hub. If you're driving from Vancouver, you should expect up to a four-and-a-half-hour drive (approximately 220 miles) from British Columbia's largest city.

Cawston's location in the Similkameen Valley, between Kelowna and the U.S. border, makes it a more rustic, crowd-free alternative to Canada's "Napa Valley", as the stunning and nature-filled wine region of Okanagan is known. Cawston is ideal for those who want to get a taste of regional wine and picturesque views without having to compete for space at the main Okanagan hotspots – Kelowna and Penticton.

Travelers can explore 14 wineries and three cideries in the Cawston and Keremeos area. Among them is the celebrated, family-run Crowsnest Vineyard, offering wine tastings and vineyard tours of its 12 acres of Merlot, Riesling, and Chardonnay grapes, among others. Crowsnest Vineyard is one of the oldest wineries active in the area. It also has its own restaurant, artisan bakery, and a small, 3-star guesthouse for visitors who want to stay overnight and wake up among the greenery. Another hotspot is boutique winery Vanessa Vineyard, which looks after 75 acres of land and grows sturdy varietals including Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah on its rocky, coarse soil. Visitors can enjoy tastings at Vanessa Vineyard, or buy directly from their shop.

Cawston isn't just a place for wine aficionados. There are also notable orchards making craft ciders onsite. One such place is the award-winning Twisted Hills Craft Cider, where punters can amble beneath the apple trees before embarking on a cider tasting at its cinematic CiderDome. This organic enterprise is regarded as the first autonomous cidery in Similkameen Valley, and focuses on growing organic apple varieties suitable for cider-making to create a line of dry, fruity and full-bodied beverages.

Cawston is a small agricultural haven, boasting about 100 certified organic farms in its sparsely populated pocket of the valley — a higher density than anywhere in Canada. It also enjoys a higher concentration of sunnier days compared to the rest of the province, while minerals in the soil shape the nutrients and flavor profiles of the local bounty. One of Cawston's most impressive features is its views. You can admire the rocky, arid peaks of the Cascade Mountains and Mount Kobau hugging the town, and experience the quasi-desertic terrain of Cawston's rural valleys on a leisurely bike ride. British Columbia has many small towns ideal for outdoor activities, including the historic, unsung gem of Coalmont.

If you are wondering where to go for a wholesome meal, Row Fourteen in Cawston specializes in seasonal dishes made from ingredients coming directly from Klippers Organic Acres. The farm itself grows hundreds of varieties of vegetables, fruit, and herbs following sustainable practices. Row Fourteen has an outdoor patio ideal for sunset watching, as well as large windows in the dining room to observe the farm's surroundings framed by the dramatic mountainous backdrop.

While you can enjoy the scenery from several of Cawston's farmsteads and wineries, you can also pursue closer views on a short hike up Mount Kobau. The wider Okanagan Valley has a tranquil, outdoorsy appeal, including places further north, like Spallumcheen, the scenic town with mountain views that's a top pick for retirement.