Here's the 'Wine Village' proposed for McKinley area

Kelowna City Council is backing a plan for a 'Wine Village' on Hilltown Drive in McKinley.

It would be modelled after the successful District Wine Village in Oliver. Think of it as a large outdoor food court with multiple vendors; in this case, vintners.

The nearly five-hectare site would host a central wine manufacturing facility and 15 to 20 private tasting suites.

Each suite would produce around 500 cases of wine and require a separate manufacturing licence.

City staff say the project is safe for water and wastewater systems, but sourcing grapes locally remains uncertain.

The project would include a central bottling and filtration facility.

In approving a change that will allow alcohol to be served in that zone, council members said the idea fits the rural character of the area while attracting visitors from across the region.

Development permits and liquor licences would still need approval before construction begins.