Observatory Wines, photographed by a Google Maps contributor

Photos from Google Maps contributors, shown with their credit — not supplied by the venue.

a winery in the Okanagan

Observatory Wines

21606 Bridgeman Rd, Summerland, BC — One of the best winery views in the Okanagan Valley

100
Seated guests: Not published
Standing: $1,750
Starting price: Outdoor
Spaces

the story

About Observatory Wines

Observatory Wines is a Summerland, BC winery and estate vineyard perched 400 metres above Okanagan Lake, with views north to Peachland, east to Okanagan Mountain and south to Naramata. Formerly Summerland Estate Winery, the property was reborn as Observatory Wines — a project from winemaker and owner Blair Gillingham, who began his wine career at Summerland's Sumac Ridge in 2001 and went on to work in Australia, New Zealand and Austria. Alongside the tasting room, which is open daily from 11am to 5pm, the estate hosts weddings, live music on the patio and ticketed special events.

For weddings, the estate's Wedding Pavilion is available for rental between 9 AM and 9 PM, with a reception and dining area overlooking Okanagan Lake. The venue describes itself as ideally suited to 50–70 guests, with capacity for up to 100 in an intimate, refined layout. The standard package keeps the winery open to the public during the event, but couples can pay an additional fee for a private closure so the winery is reserved exclusively for their party. Bookings include one white table and up to 50 white folding chairs, a power extension for ceremony needs, and a ceremonial runner running from the archway to the pavilion; additional tables and chairs are available for a fee.

Styling is left to the couple: tents, florals, linens, chair covers, place settings and other decorative elements are not provided, and the winery encourages couples to rent a tent to cover the dining space. Many couples work with a planner, and the team is happy to recommend one or connect couples with local restaurant partners and rental agencies. Beverage service runs through the winery — outside alcohol is not permitted without prior approval, wedding packages include a 15% discount on Observatory wines, and a dedicated winery host is assigned to each event.

Couples and wedding parties can also book the on-site Villa guest house, a short walk from the winery. It sleeps eight comfortably across four bedrooms with a fully equipped kitchen, two living rooms, a dining room and four bathrooms — including one with a soaker tub overlooking Okanagan Lake — at a discounted wedding-package nightly rate.

where it happens

Event spaces

Space	Seated	Standing	Type
Wedding PavilionThe ceremony pavilion, available for rental between 9 AM and 9 PM, reached by a ceremonial runner leading from the archway.	—	—	Outdoor
Reception & Dining AreaDining space with sweeping views of Okanagan Lake, ideally suited for 50-70 guests and with capacity for up to 100; couples are encouraged to rent a tent to cover the space.	100	—	Outdoor
PatioThe winery patio, used for weekend live music sessions and ticketed evening events.	—	—	Outdoor
The Villa (Guest House)On-site guest house a short walk from the winery with a fully equipped kitchen, two living rooms, a dining room and four bedrooms, described as perfect for wedding parties.	—	—	Indoor

the practical part

Pricing

Starting price: $1,750
Price range: $
Included in venue fee: One white table, Up to 50 white folding chairs, Power extension for ceremony needs, Ceremonial runner from the archway to the pavilion, Tables and chairs for the reception area, A dedicated winery host for the event, 15% discount on all Observatory wines
Seasonal pricing: Rates are split between Off Season and Summer (June, July, August, September). Ceremony only: $1,750 off season, $3,500 summer. Wedding & reception area: $2,750 off season, $4,500 summer. Optional private venue closure is $1,500 on weekdays and $2,500 per day on weekends.
Deposit & payment: A 50% non-refundable deposit secures the date, with the remaining balance due 48 hours before the event. The site also states deposits are fully refundable if cancelled at least two months prior to the event date; cancellations within two months are non-refundable. A refundable $1,000 damage deposit is required with the final payment and is returned within 48 hours after the event provided the site is left in good condition. A Special Event Permit (SEP) is required for all weddings and private events, with a copy of the approved permit submitted to the winery no later than 30 days before the event.

eat, drink & be married

Food & drink

Catering: External allowed
Catering notes: Catering is arranged by the couple. Place settings (cutlery, glassware, plates, bowls) and other table settings are not provided and must be arranged through the couple's catering team or a rental company. The winery is not responsible for managing rental equipment or communicating with rental companies, but can connect couples with local restaurant partners and rental agencies. Tents, floral arrangements, table linens, chair covers and other decorative elements are also not included; the venue can recommend a wedding planner.
Bar: In-house
Bar notes: Outside alcohol or beverages are not permitted during the ceremony or reception without prior approval from Observatory Winery, due to licensing and insurance requirements. Event packages include a 15% discount on all Observatory wines. A dedicated winery host is assigned to each event; for gatherings over 50 guests a second host is provided at a 15% service charge on retail sales. A Special Event Permit is required for all weddings and private events.

the details

Ceremony & logistics

Ceremony on site: Yes
Wet-weather backup: No indoor backup space is described. The winery encourages couples to rent a tent to cover the reception and dining area; tents are not included in the booking.
Parking: Limited parking is available. For non-private events the winery recommends arranging group transportation, as parking may be limited while the winery is open to the public.
Season: The tasting room is open daily from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Wedding rates are quoted for both Off Season and Summer (June through September), indicating weddings are hosted outside summer as well.
On-site accommodation: Yes
Rooms: 4
Accommodation details: The on-site guest house (the Villa) is a short walk from the winery, overlooking Okanagan Lake in a vineyard setting, and is described as perfect for wedding parties. It has a fully equipped kitchen, two living rooms, a dining room, a half bath and one bedroom on the main floor, with a grand spiral staircase leading to laundry, three bedrooms and three bathrooms upstairs — one with a soaker tub overlooking Okanagan Lake. Three queen beds and one king bed sleep eight comfortably. The wedding package rate is $625 per night (regular $680/night) plus a $350 cleaning fee.

the little things

Amenities

Wedding Pavilion
Ceremonial archway and aisle runner
White folding chairs (up to 50 included)
Power extension for ceremony needs
Dedicated winery host
Tasting room open daily 11am-5pm
Patio with live music programming
On-site guest house (the Villa) sleeping 8
Estate vineyard with Okanagan Lake views

asked & answered

Frequently asked questions

How many guests can Observatory Wines host for a wedding?

The reception and dining area is ideally suited for 50–70 guests, with capacity for up to 100 in an intimate, refined layout.

What does a wedding booking cost?

Ceremony-only bookings are $1,750 in the off season and $3,500 in summer (June, July, August, September). A wedding with the reception area is $2,750 off season and $4,500 in summer. An optional private venue closure is an extra $1,500 on weekdays or $2,500 per day on weekends.

What is included in the venue rental?

The Wedding Pavilion is available from 9 AM to 9 PM and includes one white table, up to 50 white folding chairs, a power extension for ceremony needs, and a ceremonial runner from the archway to the pavilion. Tables and chairs for the reception are included, and additional tables and chairs can be added for a fee.

What is not included?

Tents, floral arrangements, table linens, chair covers and other decorative elements are not included, and place settings such as cutlery, glassware, plates and bowls must be arranged through the couple's caterer or a rental company. The winery can recommend a wedding planner and connect couples with local restaurant partners and rental agencies.

Will the winery be private for our wedding?

Standard packages keep the winery open to the public during the event. Couples can pay an additional private closure fee — $1,500 on weekdays or $2,500 per day on weekends — to make the celebration fully private.

Can we bring our own alcohol?

No. Outside alcohol or beverages are not permitted during the ceremony or reception without prior approval from Observatory Winery, due to licensing and insurance requirements. Event packages include a 15% discount on all Observatory wines, and a dedicated winery host is assigned to each event (a second host is added for groups over 50 guests at a 15% service charge on retail sales).

Do we need a permit?

Yes. A Special Event Permit (SEP) is required for all weddings and private events at Observatory Wines, and a copy of the approved permit must be submitted to the winery no later than 30 days before the event.

Is there accommodation on site?

Yes. The Villa guest house, a short walk from the winery, sleeps eight across four bedrooms with three queen beds and one king bed, four bathrooms, a full kitchen, two living rooms and a dining room. The wedding package rate is $625 per night (regular $680) plus a $350 cleaning fee.

What about parking?

Parking is limited. For non-private events the winery recommends arranging group transportation, since parking can be tight while the tasting room is open to the public.

a closer look