From my picture window overlooking the Naramata Bench, one of the Okanagan’s most celebrated wine regions, I watch dawn break over golden mountaintops and cast shadows over the three-acre plot of Cabernet Franc vineyards bursting from the mineral-rich terroir before me. Moments later, one of my travelling companions and I throw open the doors to stride up and down the backyard rows while going over our day’s plans: coffee cake at a local bakery, a wheel-throwing pottery lesson at Laurel Jean Studios and a pickleball lesson with Brine Racquet Club on our vineyard home’s private court. We’ll cap it off with a wine-pairing dinner at the stunning Poplar Grove, where the winery overlooks Okanagan Lake and surrounding Penticton’s evening lights shine almost as bright as the food.
No, I haven’t retired to the idyllic reaches of wine country. I am, however, masquerading as a local on a three-day vacation at Our Little Wine Farm, a privately owned home that’s a member of global community HomeExchange Collection, a verified global portfolio of like-minded individuals who share their luxury homes. Developed during covid as an extension of the wildly popular home-swapping program HomeExchange, the Collection’s properties span 85-plus countries. “Think of it like a gated community within the HomeExchange community,” explains David Bucci, head of HomeExchange Collection. Members must have homes valued at USD $1.5-million to start, but are further assessed by strict criteria, including amenities and location, from which they are awarded a point value. Perks like a hot tub, in-home movie theatre or access to a private boat up that value; the company even uses an algorithm with an image-reading software that can assess features like high-end sofas or fine artwork.
Once awarded membership in the coveted Collection, homeowners can pore over the smorgasbord of global listings and plan trips accordingly, or click “browse anywhere in the world” to strike inspiration. Perhaps a luxury penthouse in Pretoria, South Africa with sweeping skyline views and two private chefs at the ready would suit? How about a medieval castle-style country home in Herefordshire, U.K., minutes away from one of the country’s best pubs, or a luxury four-bedroom home and pool on Australia’s Gold Coast, where the only immediate neighbours are wallabies and kookaburros? All are options: vetted, verified and ready for vacation-goers.
Indeed, accurately assessing this global portfolio of elite homes destined for discerning customers is a fine art. “For example, you can have a $2-million home, but it is not well-designed,” explains Bucci. “Or, you can also have a $1.5-million home in the middle of nowhere that has a really cool feature, like a lazy river.”
Vancouver-based Ben Chimes and his wife joined the Collection by listing their second home in Penticton, which has the perks of not only a pool, hot tub and private sauna, but a winery on its doorstep and million-dollar vineyard views. (Yes, this is the same property I’m staying at.) The avid travellers have visited Palm Springs, Hawaii and the South of France through the program, and love it. “You either do reciprocal exchanges, or you can host a lot one year and accumulate GuestPoints, making it possible to organize non-reciprocal exchanges,” Chimes explains. “That was one of the big draws for me because we spend a lot of time in Europe.”
The annual fee to join HomeExchange Collection is USD $1,000 (this will rise to USD $1,500 in April 2026); still not much considering a night in a fancy hotel might run you $500 per night. “When you’re staying at somebody’s home, there is more value than just the price,” Bucci adds. “If I’m going to Paris, for example, I’m going to stay in a one-bedroom apartment that’s smaller than the house I am in now. But the value for me is greater than my place in New York.”
Back at the villa, my friends and I sip rosé and I scheme about our next-day plans: exploring the Kettle Valley Railway on a speedy electric bike with Hoodoo Adventures, trying local brews and spiked apple slushies with homemade pizza at Abandoned Rail, the only farm brewery in the Okanagan, and a private chef dinner. Home away from home never felt so good. —Katie Nanton
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May 28th, 2026 at 2:49 am
This is exactly the kind of home away from home experience that feels both personal and elevated – where comfort meets thoughtful design and quiet indulgence. It also makes me think about how true luxury extends beyond interiors into the details that keep a space effortlessly maintained and guest-ready, much like the specialized care offered through https://cleaningny.com/services/boat-cleaning/ when it comes to preserving high end environments.