OKANAGAN VALLEY

Stretching over 250 km, the Okanagan Valley with its stunning, sun-bathed landscape punctuated by tranquil lakes set between brush covered hillsides is the jewel in the crown of the BC wine industry. Micro-climates and soil types vary from end-to-end across a number of sub-regions, each with distinct conditions, or terroir.

This is the valley of award-winning wines delighting even the most fastidious of connoisseurs with sun-drenched big, bold reds to lively crisp whites.

The Okanagan has four officially recognized geographical sub-regions, or sub-appellations: Skaha Bench, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Falls and the Golden Mile Bench. The Osoyoos-Black Sage area is often considered a sub-region with its own unique terroir but currently lacks official designation as such.

A key factor in Okanagan Valley’s uniqueness for wine production is its climate. Daytime temperatures can reach 40°C, but the cool nights allow the grapes to maintain their natural acidity.

The hot days and cool nights produce wines with ripe fruit character, fused with a distinctive acidity. This unique growth profile is widely recognized as a signature trait in BC wine and an important factor in its superlative quality.

Interestingly, the Okanagan Valley is also warmer and more arid than California’s Napa Valley, and gets nearly two hours more sunlight per day during the peak growing season because of its northern latitude.

Golden Mile Bench

The Golden Mile Bench is aptly named, as this sun-drenched shoulder on the west side of the valley running from Oliver towards Osoyoos was the first sub-region demarcated in 2015. Its southern facing aspect provides a warm climate with morning sun, rather than afternoon sunshine, making it a cooler microclimate than those located on, or across the valley floor.

This makes it ideal for full-flavoured white wines such as Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, alongside bright fruity reds like Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

With an average of 1,484 growing days the soil in the Golden Mile Bench features well-drained fluvial fans of stony gravelly, sandy loams or gravelly, loamy sands.

BLACK SAGE/OSOYOOS

Stretching from just north of Osoyoos on the east side of the valley up to Oliver is the Black Sage grape growing area. With full afternoon sun in what is the hottest location in Canada and an average of 1,551 growing degree days, this intense daytime heat is offset by cool nights giving wine from this area big flavour with vibrant acidity.

This unique microclimate gives rise to big bold reds such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah/Shiraz, and also whites such as Chardonnay. The soil plays its part with very deep sandy glaciofluvial materials overlying granite bedrock.

Other wineries slightly south of Black Sage are dotted on the slopes around Osoyoos making them very accessible to visitors staying in the range of waterside resorts in the town. Located in the youngest of the region’s wine areas, the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Nk’Mip Cellars was the first to open its doors in 2002.

Similar to Black Sage wineries those located around Osoyoos excel in the crafting of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah/Shiraz, and Chardonnay wines.

Our Signature Red Roof Apple Cider promises to deliver a refreshing alcoholic beverage that will leave your taste buds thirsting for more! Be sure to come by and visit us at 3480 Fruitvale Way, Oliver, B.C!

Our Signature Red Roof Apple Cider promises to deliver a refreshing alcoholic beverage that will leave your taste buds thirsting for more!

Open 7 days a week:

Be sure to come by and visit us at 3480 Fruitvale Way, Oliver, B.C.

Open 7 days a week: July and August - 8 am to 7 pm

July and Aug: 8 am to 7 pm June, Sept, Oc t: 9 am to 6 pm Winter and Spring: by appointment

June, Sept, Oct - 9 am to 6 pm • Winter and Spring by appointment

778.437.2335 and 250.535.2240 www.orchardhillcider y.com