Vitis • Issue 5 • Summer 2020

06 – SipS & nibbleS News and trends from the world of Canadian wine

08 – neWS

How B.C. wineries are surviving during COVID-19 by Tim Pawsey

10 – Wine liFe Memories of an effervescent year in Champagne by Christine

Campbell

12 – OenOpHile

How B.C. is making better wine through science

by Charlene Rooker

16 – in THe VineYARD

It’s not the Oak-anagan. So why so much wood?

by Rhys Pender MW

PUBLISHER: Gail Nugent • gnugent@glaciermedia.ca

EDITOR:

Joanne Sasvari • jsasvari@glaciermedia.ca

DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER: Tara Rafiq • trafiq@glaciermedia.ca

20 – b.C. Wine COunTRY

Phantom Creek raises the bar in the South Okanagan by Tim

Pawsey

22 – THinK pinK

From onion skin to blush to ruby: a world of rosé by

Daenna Van Mulligen

26 – FOOD FOR THOugHT

Love B.C. wine? You’ll love this cookbook by

Joanne Sasvari

30 – liSTingS

Your guide to B.C.’s wineries

42 – Wine geeK

Magnums and other large-format bottles by Barb

Wild

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS: Kelsey Klassen & Laura Starr Vitis.ca

@VitisMag • @VitisMag

PUBLISHED By: Glacier Media Group 303 W. 5th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Y 1J6 604-742-8678

© Vitis 2020 This issue is complimentary.

Photo courtesy Wines of British Columbia, WineBC.com

The legendary b ecker Vineyard, now part of p hantom Creek e states winery near Oliver, b .C.

Photo by Lionel Trudel for Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association

Contributors

JOANNE SASVARI is editor of Vitis and The Alchemist magazines. She is a WSET-certified writer who covers food and drink for publications including WestJet and Vancouver Sun, and is the author of the Wickaninnish and Vancouver Eats cookbooks.

CHRISTINE CAMPBELL is a Vancouver-based freelance wine and travel writer who is a cheerleader for British Columbia wines. Champagne and Chardonnay are her ongoing obsessions. Follow her on Twitter @ girlsgogrape and Instagram @girlsgogrape72.

TIM PAWSEY writes and shoots at hiredbelly. com as well as for publications including Quench, TASTE and Montecristo. He’s a frequent wine judge and is a founding member of the B.C. Hospitality Foundation.

PHYS PENDER is a Master of Wine who combines his time writing, judging, teaching, consulting and dirtying his boots at his four-acre vineyard and winery, Little Farm Winery, in the Similkameen Valley.

CHARLENE ROOKE is a Vancouver-based writer (for The Globe and Mail, enRoute, The Alchemist and more) whose family has Okanagan roots as former Kelowna apple growers. She is WSET Certified in Wine and a WSET Spirits Educator who will always quaff a glass or two of Nova 7.

DAENNA VAN MULLIGEN is a sommelier, educator, keynote speaker and radio host who launched WineDiva.ca 15 years ago, and WineScores.ca soon after. She is also a regular contributor to TASTE, Vines and Montecristo magazines.

BARB WILD is the Good Wine Gal, and her goal is to help people discover what they like—without snobbery. Follow Good Wine Gal’s life of wine study, wine tastings and wine travel at goodwinegal.ca

All throughout spring, as we hunkered down at home waiting out a global pandemic, we dreamt of escaping to wine country. Now summer is here, British Columbia is slowly re-opening and we can’t wait to throw a cooler in the car and head out on the highway.

This was meant to be a year of celebration for the 30th anniversary of BC VQA and the BC Wine Institute. Instead, it will be a summer unlike any other. Borders are still closed. Flights are still grounded. Visitors are still unwelcome in many parts of the globe. That makes this a good year to stay close to home, to explore our own backyard and taste the delicious things that are grown, cooked, fermented and bottled right here in B.C.

And Vitis is here to help you discover those unforgettable local experiences.

In this issue, we have plenty of news about what’s happening in B.C. wine country. Tim Pawsey looks at how B.C.’s wineries are surviving COVID-19, and then takes us behind the scenes at the opulent, game-changing Phantom Creek Winery in the South Okanagan. Rhys Pender explains why less is more when it comes to using oak on our fresh, fragrant grapes. Daenna Van Mulligen samples a rainbow of rosés. Charlene Rooke discovers new winemaking technology. And we flip through the pages of Jennifer Schell’s new cookbook, which is filled with family recipes from our favourite winemakers.

This summer, more than ever, we crave connection. And here at Vitis, we know the best way to connect is over a glass of wine. We can’t wait to share one with you.

Joanne Sasvari, editor

b.C. wine country is calling us this summer. Shawn Talbot photo courtesy of Wines of British Columbia, WineBC.com

OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP.

Wines of distinction that are an intensely avoured expression of our historic vineyard. WWW.HESTERCREEK.COM

sips & nibbles

Vitis Staff

a new ChaPter beginS For hiStoriC naramata inn

Since the Naramata Inn opened in 1908, it has been a private home, a hotel, a girls school and now the valley’s most stylish boutique inn. Under new management, it is now owned and operated by four veterans of the hospitality industry: chef Ned Bell, communications specialist Kate Colley, designer Maria Wiesner and retired A&W Canada CEO Paul Hollands.

The mission-style property was built by John Moore Robinson, one of the pioneers of the Okanagan fruit industry. Today it features 12 mission-style guest rooms on the scenic eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, just a cork’s toss from the more than three dozen wineries of the Naramata Bench. Although the rooms have retained their vintage charm, they’ve been updated with all the modern comforts and amenities.

The inn opened on June 5, and a restaurant is soon to follow, celebrating the best of local wine and produce. We can hardly wait. naramatainn.com

theRe’s An App foR youR Best B.c. wine eXpeRience

before you head out to wine country—or, indeed, to the liquor store—be sure to download the new Wines of bC explorer app, produced by the british Columbia Wine institute. Take the taste test to define your flavour profile, then follow directions to find wines that you’ll love and the wineries that produce them. Wines are organized by type, winery or location, and the bWCi promises that every wine and winery in b.C. is represented. The app is free through google play or the App Store. winebc.com/explorer

The new owners are updating the 112-year-old naramata inn, while preserving its historic character.

Photo courtesy Naramata Inn

SiPS anD SommS at ViwF

It’s hard to believe that just two weeks before a global pandemic shut everything down, the wine world was gathered at the Vancouver Convention Centre to celebrate excellence at the Vancouver International Wine Festival’s 17th Annual Awards Lunch.

There was an extra-long standing ovation when the prestigious Spirited Industry Professional Award was presented to Dana Lee Harris, who epitomizes the ideal of “an individual who has made a significant contribution to the sales, service or promotion of wine in B.C.” After many years in wine sales, Harris started her own consulting business in 2005 and has devoted countless hours to volunteering for organizations such as Les Dames d'Escoffier. She is currently executive director of the BC Hospitality Foundation.

The Sommelier of the Year Award recognized Peter Van de Reep, wine director and bar manager at Campagnolo Restaurant, and a certified sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, who was selected through a hands-on competition organized by the B.C. chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.

The 2021 festival is scheduled for February 20 to 28, and will feature South America. vanwinefest.ca

tiDbitS

Anthony von Mandl—one of the newest billionaires to make the annual Forbes magazine list—just keeps adding to his portfolio of exceptional B.C. wineries. He recently purchased Liquidity Wines, which joins the “Great Wineries of the Okanagan” family of Mission Hill Family Estate, CedarCreek, Martin’s Lane, CheckMate and Road 13. liquiditywines.com

The Chefs’ Table Society of B.C. has honoured the late, great wine industry pioneer Harry McWatters by establishing a scholarship fund in his honour, with a donation of $2,000 per year for at least five years. The scholarship will be eligible to students enrolled in a wine or tourism program at Okanagan College and participating in an international education experience. okanagan.bc.ca/mcwatters

We say a fond farewell to Robert Summers, the senior winemaker who turned Hester Creek Estate Winery into one of the most highly acclaimed in the South Okanagan. After 14 years of fine craftsmanship, he has announced his retirement. Filling his shoes will be longtime winemaker Mark Hopley and assistant winemaker Rebecca Ruggeri. hestercreek.com

yes, we cAn!

if there’s a silver lining to the pandemic, it’s that provincial and municipal governments are loosening rules around alcohol in parks. So wouldn’t you love to be able to toss a can of local wine in your pack and head outdoors? Well, now you can: Castoro de Oro estate Winery in Oliver has just launched the first 100-per-cent b.C. wine in a can. Three different award-winning wines are available: Heart of gold white blend, pinot Duetto Rosé and Merlot. premium wine-in-cans can be ordered from the winery directly or purchased from select private liquor retailers at a cost of $8.99 apiece, taxes included.

castorodeorowinery.com

Dana lee Harris

peter Van de Reep

Photo courtesy of Castoro de Oro Winery

Vineyards in the time of virus

Wild Goose general manager Roland Kruger had never seen anything like it. From his home overlooking Highway 97, he watched an endless stream of motor homes heading north in early March. It signalled a much earlier than usual return of snowbirds from warmer climes, one more sign that in just a matter of days everything had changed.

By March 11, the World Health Organization had declared COVID-19 a global pandemic; a week later, on March 17, the British Columbia government called a state of emergency, shuttering non-essential businesses, cancelling travel and encouraging residents to stay at home.

The fallout from COVID-19 had an immediate impact on every area of hospitality, including the province’s wineries, which had little time to react. Tasting rooms and restaurants closed. Wineries pivoted to curb-side pickup and delivery. With the borders closed, skilled Mexican farmworkers were initially denied entry into Canada, then were cleared, but only a fraction of the usual numbers have since arrived. Summer hiring was thrown into turmoil.

Like others, Kruger took it all in stride. “Vineyards don’t care about human viruses. They keep growing— and so do the weeds,” he joked.

Three months later, as wineries are slowly re-opening their tasting rooms and restaurants with social distanc-

A S B.C.’ S w INERIES SLO w L y RE - OPEN , w E LOO k AT HO w THE y’v E RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES O f CO v ID-19

Tim Pawsey

limited hours, mandatory reservations and social distancing are the new norm at many b.C. wineries.

Photo courtesy of Wines of British Columbia, WineBC.com

ing and other measures in place, we take a look at how the industry has risen to this most challenging of times.

“It’s been a bumpy ride, but everyone has banded together and shown leadership,” says Summerhill CEO Ezra Cipes, who closed the dining room and tasting bar for a time (they are now open), but kept the wine shop open for purchases of food, some groceries and wine, delivered right to customers’ cars.

Lillooet’s Fort Berens Estate Winery had to cancel spring release events planned around the province. Instead, says co-owner Rolf de Bruin, “We decided to implement a wine valet service for our wine club members in Vancouver, Whistler, Pemberton and Kamloops [and Lillooet] with a location where we were set up with our truck.”

At Da Silva Vineyards, which offered 10 per cent off a case and has now re-opened both its tasting room and restaurant, co-owner Richard da Silva is taking things in stride. “As a farming family, we’ve gone through these cycles over the decades. Lean times are something I grew up with,” he says. “It will be a struggle, but I expect we’ll come through as a solid, more tightly knit community [and] a leaner, more focused industry.”

No longer able to offer wine and cheese tastings, Upper Bench Winery and Creamery not only took all their sales online, but offered free shipment across B.C. on any quantity of wine and or cheese. The move “paid off in spades,” says co-owner Gavin Miller. “We’ll likely be doing a whole lot more DTC [direct to consumer] in the future.” He remains “cautiously optimistic.”

Sandra Oldfield, president and CEO of Elysian Projects, points out that, unlike others in tourism, “at least the wine industry still has a product. I know of resorts and golf courses that have completely had to shelve their business until this is over.” But those who “responded quickly with attractive offers, such as free shipping, will definitely be ahead of the game.”

Oldfield, who also founded the Wednesday night Twitter group discussion #BCWineChat, has been putting the weekly meet-up to good use. When the idea surfaced to ask government to allow alcohol with food deliveries, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham was online and promised to pursue it. As it happened,

key stakeholders were already in discussion, and within days the Liquor Act was changed, albeit temporarily.

Still, Christine Coletta, co-owner of Okanagan Crush Pad, which recently re-opened its tasting room with a reservation system in place, fears the “short term, devastating impact on the local wine industry,” as so many restaurants, their core trading partners, are still closed or operating with limited hours and reduced capacity.

But there is at least one bit of good news: “Because people are hunkered down at home, per capita wine consumption is off the charts,” says Glenn Fawcett, the “Chief Wine Evangelist” at Black Hills Estate Winery.

As wineries re-open, the BC Wine Institute has been working with everyone involved to create a plan for navigating COVID-19’s short- and long-term effects.

They consulted closely with the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association and WorkSafe BC to identify “best practices and protocols specific to the wine industry,” says Laura Kittmer, the BCWI’s communications director. “Out of that discussion, we created and developed a ready-to-reopen toolkit for wineries.” (See sidebar.)

“We have an amazing community that is looking to support local, wherever and however they can, something crucial to the future success of our industry,” Kittmer adds. “Together, we can keep our industry growing strong.”

Rules fo R R e-opening

To help wineries eager to welcome guests to their tasting rooms and restaurants, the bC Wine institute has created a toolkit of best practices and protocols for re-opening during the COViD-19 pandemic. it includes guidelines for hygiene, social distancing and managing the flow of visitors, which can mean reservations and appointments. Find the “Ready to Re-open Toolkit” at winebc.com/industry/coronavirus-covid-19-updates.

It will be a struggle, but I expect we’ll come through as a solid, more tightly knit community [and] a leaner, more focused industry.

‘Un petit verre’

Christine Campbell

Monthelon

photo courtesy of Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne

Armed with my Master of Champagne certification and my husband’s romantic vision of life abroad, in June 2018 my family and I arrived in the village of Concourt, just south of Épernay in France’s Champagne region, for a one-year adventure.

I quickly learned that immersing yourself in a new country with its unique language and culture takes a great deal of planning, humility and implicit trust that everything will work out. There were many days I questioned our decision to move at all. But the wine gods were paying attention and introduced us to the culture of “un petit verre.”

We had settled into our rental house, a two-storey log cabin nestled between a small forest and a south-facing vineyard planted with Chardonnay and Meunier vines. One morning after school drop-off, we set off on a picturesque six-kilometre circular walk that joined three hilltop Champagne villages: Courcourt, Chavot and Monthelon. We got no more than 250 metres from our home when a friendly neighbour invited us in for un petit verre. Yes, a small glass of water sounded perfect, we thought. But imagine my delight when a perfectly chilled bottle of sustainably grown Champagne was opened instead!

During our time together, I apologized for our lack of fluency in French and pulled up a translation application on my phone. Our neighbour’s eyes twinkled as he said, “After three glasses of Champagne, everyone can speak French.” We left his house feeling lighter and happier. We never finished our walk, but we did make a new friend.

It turns out the Champenois invite friends over, often, for un petit verre, the same way Canadians meet over a cup of coffee or green tea. Sharing their sparkling wines is more than a pastime; it is a great excuse to connect, catch up on local weather information and slow down to reflect.

Having un petit verre is also a way to renew your energy, as I found out when I offered to volunteer for the vendange (grape harvest) in August. The manual harvest consists of hard physical labour as machines and tractors are not permitted by law.

During vendange, days would start at 7 a.m. with a coffee and then we’d drive off to the vineyards. The first break came at 8:30 a.m., when we all gathered around the supply truck. Everyone received a small, stemless glass called a “blida” to drink from. Talk about un petit verre! I learned that the blida is the only glass Champagne vignerons use in the vineyard due to its practicality. We’d share a bottle of Champagne and nibble on freshly baked brioche. More Champagne bottles would be opened at lunchtime, afternoon break and the end of the day to toast a job well done.

When we learned that the Tour de France bicycle race was coming through the Champagne area, we were thrilled. Friends invited us to their strategic viewing location on top of Mont Bernon overlooking the vineyards of the Côte des Blancs. Everyone held out their blida and took turns filling up each other’s glasses with the delicious Champagne they brought for the special event.

The day was filled with cheering crowds and friends sharing bottles of Champagne in the sunshine, bubbles sparkling in our glasses. It was a perfect memory—an idyllic souvenir—of our time in Champagne.

“

It turns out the Champenois invite friends over, often, for un petit verre, the same way Canadians meet over a cup of coffee or green tea.

Roses bloom next to vines in Champagne. Christine Campbell photo

Innovation & vinification

Here are three ways British Columbia’s researchers and innovators are pushing the province’s wine science forward.

Smoke

Devastating wildfires have already challenged the B.C., Australia and California wine industries—a issue that climate change is making increasingly urgent. Now, UBC researchers have pioneered a potentially simple, economical strategy for saving wine grapes from smoke taint. A phospholipid spray, already used in B.C. to prevent ripening cherries from cracking, could be an answer, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Two years ago, a conversation between a viticulturalist, a PhD student and study author Wesley Zandberg (an assistant professor in chemistry at UBC Okanagan) spurred testing of three different sprays to block smoke exposure on grapes. The results were so promising they’ve already generated interest from California, Australia and Oregon.

The team is currently making wine from grapes that were protectively sprayed in 2019, what Zandberg calls the “gold standard” test for whether their solution fully blocked smoke taint. He explains that when wine grapes absorb smoke, the grapes react by using enzymes to coat the smoke compounds in sugar, meaning the smoke isn’t noticed until it’s released by yeast during the fermentation process.

“Many grape-growers don’t have the means to pay to test their crops,” Zandberg says. “Producers have to wait weeks to know whether their plants are suitable or not. Meanwhile, costs and risks mount as their crops sit on the vine.” His team is working on replicating and refining the promising results before the strategy can potentially be implemented locally and globally.

Smart barrel S

Anyone who’s visited a wine-aging cellar has seen the laborious effort required to extract the bung (stopper) from a barrel and remove a sample using a wine-thief device—a disruptive process that potentially introduces oxygen and contaminants to the maturing wine, costing wineries in possible spoilage or waste. It can also unwittingly spread taint among several barrels, quickly magnifying any existing cellar problems.

After learning about this common issue, some University of B.C. mechanical engineering and MBA grad students turned it into a research project and now an award-winning company. BarrelWise Technologies Ltd. allows wineries to sample and top-up wine barrels without opening them, through a unique silicone bung that attaches to a sterile wand and mobile tank system. “There’s the graveyard of prototypes,” laughs CEO Jason Sparrow, pointing to a row of milky-white silicone plugs lined up along one side of the room. The company already won a

A scientific educ Ation

Despite its romantic image, wine is as much science as it is art, and more and more wine lovers are choosing to pursue it as an education. The scientific study of wine and winemaking is known as oenology, distinct from viticulture, the farming side of wine. For those wishing to study oenology, Ontario’s brock university has become a world leader in training and research with its Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture institute. its four-year co-op program teaches disciplines including sensory science, biotechnology, microbiology, genetics and plant physiology. brocku.ca/ccovi

I T ’ S NOT j UST B.C.’ S GRO w ERS AND MA k ERS PUTTING w INE IN y OUR GLASS . I T ’ S THE SCIENTISTS , TOO

Charlene Rooke

S ignal S

B.C. Ministry of Agriculture Agritech Innovation Challenge award last year.

“Our vision is precision barrel management through technology,” says Sparrow. BarrelWise systems are already in use at Sandhill Wines in Kelowna, plus Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery and Betz Family Winery in Washington. Eventually, on-the-spot testing of samples will happen right in the cellar, from BarrelWise’s winery-friendly mobile cart.

A smart for-fee leasing model keeps the cost and process of adopting the BarrelWise system quick and accessible for wineries, and allows for smooth upgrades to future technology and new features. barrelwise.ca

t e S ting the water S

Small-business owners with brilliant ideas don’t always have the resources to bring them to market. In B.C.’s booming beverage-alcohol industries, a winery, brewery or distillery might not have the facilities or funds to research an ingredient, develop a new product or even test the safety of new packaging.

That’s where the new BC Beverage Technology Access Centre (BCBTAC) comes into play. The Centre, funded by a five-year, $1.75-million federal grant plus provincial and college support, was announced last fall and opened with a soft launch a few months ago. “With no marketing, we’ve already had strong initial demand for our services,” says manager Wes Peterson, describing diverse projects from testing the lining in wine cans to researching how

to dispose of or recycle a common fining agent used to clarify wine. It’s all part of “supporting the fermented beverage sector,” Peterson says. “The variety of projects is half the excitement of being here.”

On a tour of the bright facility on the Penticton campus of Okanagan College, Peterson points out wellequipped chemistry and microbiology labs, plus a tasting room that can be used for anything from consumer research to food-pairing seminars. BCBTAC also offers business and financial planning services, expertise in applying for and accessing grants and the ability to draw on OK College and even UBC researchers as needed.

Every wine that aspires to qualify for VQA status, or for export into foreign markets, requires a lab stamp of approval on various measures (such as pH, sugar and sulfites). “Right now, [wineries] might be sending work to California or Oregon,” says Peterson. “We really need to up our game if we’re going to take $30, $40 or $50 bottles of wine to market internationally.”

ubC researchers use a smoking tent to test whether a phospholipid spray can prevent smoke taint in grapes.

Photo courtesy of Wesley Zandberg

“

The variety of projects is half the excitement of being here.

All in the family

Tony Holler is feeling pretty grateful these days. The president and co-owner of Poplar Grove Winery has a great new vintage, promising new vineyards and all his family working together. Sales have been steady, despite the global pandemic, and the winery is re-opening its tasting room and its restaurant, which for the first time is under Poplar Grove ownership.

“We couldn’t be happier and more proud of how the community has come together to support each other and the businesses that call the Okanagan Valley home,” he says.

Tony Holler and his wife Barbara have owned the iconic Naramata Bench winery since 2007, when they bought it from industry pioneer Ian Sutherland, who founded it in 1993 as one of the first five wineries on the Naramata Bench. Since then, the Hollers have built a beautifully sleek landmark facility and a reputation for robust reds, luscious whites and overall excellence, thanks to their

unwavering commitment to traditional farming and winemaking principles. (Among their standout wines is The legacy, the powerful but refined Bordeaux blend that won the 2018 “Judgement of B.c.”)

Barbara manages the Hollers’ 130 acres of vineyards. The vines are divided between sultry Osoyoos and cooler Naramata, where the Hollers recently added 18 acres of Pinot Gris and 15 of Pinot Noir, which is a first for the winery. “We’re doing a lot of planting of vineyards on the Naramata Bench this year,” Holler says. “Our next focus will be to expand our big red vineyards in Osoyoos: cabernet Sauvignon, cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot.”

Overseeing the vineyards are two of their four sons, matthew (in Osoyoos) and Andrew (on the Naramata Bench). meanwhile, christopher works at the winery and eric, who has a degree in oenology, works in the

The Holler family, from left to right: Mei-Lan Holler holding Kian Holler, Chris Holler holding Soren Holler, Tony Holler, Barbara Holler, Marcus Holler, Rebecca Holler, Andrew Holler holding Dominic Holler, Christine Holler, Matt Holler holding Ethan Holler, Eric Holler. Brandon Elliot photo

production facility. “It’s completely a family business,” Holler says.

That “family” has expanded to include the team leading what for now is being called The restaurant at Poplar Grove, and will have a new name, look and brand sometime next year.

That includes restaurant manager michael Ziff, who is familiar to Vancouverites from chambar, Hawksworth and St. lawrence. He left the city last year to open Home Block in Kelowna, but, he says, “Penticton was always where we wanted to be because we have friends on the Bench.” When Holler heard that, he says, “I had some discussions with him, and it all worked out.”

Also joining the team is talented chef rob ratcliffe, the former senior sous chef at Hawksworth, who spent the last three years cooking at West coast Fishing club on Haida Gwaii and Albreda lodge near Valemount. “We’re doing a menu that reflects his style and refocusing attention to the bench as much as possible,” Ziff says.

The menu will celebrate local ingredients, change frequently with what’s in season and, above all, showcase the wines. “Now we’ve got this beautiful interaction between the wine and the food,” Ziff says happily, noting that the new culinary approach is energizing everyone, including the winemaking team. “everybody’s really excited. It feels like a clean slate.”

It’s all part of a much bigger plan that will see a new name and branding for the restaurant next year, as well as a renovation and, within a few years, a high-end boutique hotel. “We hope to have the restaurant at the same level as the hotel,” Ziff says. “There is a grand plan here.”

“A boutique hotel will be important for a great guest experience,” Holler explains. “And the guest experience has to be the same in the restaurant and the winery. All these things tie together as a business.”

Business, of course, has been affected by the cOVId-19 pandemic, but has been helped by a vibrant wine club—famously, one of the most loyal in B.c.—and direct-to-consumer wine sales, made even easier with an efficient and convenient payment and delivery system.

“We’re grateful for the support we’ve had from our wine-drinking community,” Holler says. “We’re very grateful to our customers and very appreciative of their continued support.”

For more information, visit: Poplar Grove Winery 425 Middle Bench Rd. North, Penticton 250.493.9463 poplargrove.ca

“ Now we’ve got this beautiful interaction between the wine and the food. Everybody’s really excited. It feels like a clean slate.

Brandon Elliot photo

This project is supported by the BC Government’s Buy BC Partnership Program; delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC with funding from the Government of British Columbia

It’s not called the oak-anagan

This might sound ranty, but it is a source of frequent disappointment. A wine with so much potential— beautiful ripe, intense and aromatic fruit, balanced acidity, freshness and power—yet, as you put the liquid to your lips, filled with anticipation, it comes crashing down on you almost literally like a two-by-four, the wine completely obliterated by overuse of oak. As you pull splinters from your gums, you want to put your head in your hands and cry, weeping for what could have been, a wine that had the potential to be so enjoyable disfigured beyond recognition by a heavy hand in the cellar. Unfortunately, overuse and misuse of oak is something that still runs rampant in B.C. winemaking. Why does this happen? Surely, the exorbitant cost of oak must stop producers in their tracks to at least consider that less may be more? Surely the pristine, bright and elegant fruit

that comes off B.C.’s vineyards must at least hint that the focus should be freshness first, rather than an attempt to emulate some famous, plush and flashy region elsewhere in the world?

It makes sense that a young region, finding its feet, would look to the celebrated corners of the wine world to take direction. B.C. has definitely done that, copying varietal and winemaking trends of famed places like Bordeaux and Napa Valley. Copying, though, should be just a starting point, an initial way to test the water while examining what is the best foot forward for what Mother Nature naturally instills in a region’s vineyards. The time has come to stop copying.

Relying on oak comes from a time when winemakers rarely left the cellar, when they felt the need to put their stamp of someone-ness not somewhere-ness on a wine.

‘ wINE q UALIT y STEMS f ROM THE v INES , NOT f ROM A SPLURGE f ROM THE BARREL CATALOGUE ’

Rhys Pender MW

Overuse of oak only hides the naturally intense, fruit-driven flavour of Okanagan grapes. Photo courtesy Wines of British Columbia, WineBC.com

Excessive oak often went hand in hand with over-ripeness and over-extraction. Now, savvy winemakers are more likely to be found in the vineyard because they know that wine quality stems from the vines, not from a splurge from the barrel catalog. With the pristine, bright and fresh grapes that the B.C. climate offers, less is definitely proving to be more when it comes to winemaking.

B.C. is gifted with its climate. The bright sunshine and long days of the interior vineyards give amazingly

intense fruit-driven wine; the low humidity and rainfall keeps fruit clean and disease-free; and the chilly nights preserve vibrant acidity. These are the stars of the vineyard show, a combination of elements that no other region in the world achieves so naturally and so easily. So, shouldn’t the star of the show have the limelight? Rather than a clumsy, soupy, chocolate-and-vanilla creaminess that devastates the fruit and fights against Mother Nature’s freshness?

Freshness in wine is a global trend as wine drinkers tire of high-alcohol, over-oaked and over-extracted wines. The market for these heavy-handed wines still definitely exists, but it is a fading customer base. Younger, upcoming generations seem to be looking for purity and authenticity, wines that express where they are from. The world is drinking fresher wines.

Alas, many producers still have their heads in the clouds, choosing to ignore the facts of what is laid out in front of them and lavishing wines with expensive and ambitious oak and then trying to tell the consumer this is what is best. Consumers will often believe it, too, be-

Courtesy Wines of British Columbia, WineBC.com

“

with the pristine, bright and fresh grapes that the B.C. climate offers, less is definitely proving to be more when it comes to winemaking.

cause spending lots on marketing and creating an image can be quite convincing. But is that really where B.C. wine should be heading?

The good news is that more wineries are seeing the light. Producers report slashing the amount of new oak as the lightbulb flashes and they see they have some lovely fresh and elegant wine to work with. The oak is sliding back from the foreground to where it should be, a subtle hint of flavour complexity and texture to support the star of the show. The best B.C. red wines are now full of vibrant fruit, freshness and showing the sage, spice and juicy acidity of the terroir. Oak is just a little seasoning for the dish.

John Skinner, owner of Painted Rock Estate Winery, has reduced the amount of new oak in its red wines from 100 per cent down to just 40 per cent as he has learned to understand the vineyard and which grapes and clones pair best with which barrel. Mike Bartier of Bartier Bros. has removed the oak completely from his Chardonnay as he feels the grape shows its limestone terroir much more effectively without it.

The days of when “too much oak was almost enough” are far behind us. B.C. vineyards are gifted with some wonderful natural qualities that many wine regions of

the world would die for. It is time to embrace those gifts, respect the freshness, elegance, brightness and acidity, and to start making brilliant wines. Remember, it is not called the Oak-anagan.

tA ste the wine, not the o A k Bartier Bros. chardonnay 2018 (Cerqueira Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, $20) Chalk, lemon, lees and racy minerality.

painted Rock syrah 2016 (Okanagan Valley, $43)

Meat, pepper, blueberry violet and spice.

clos du soleil winemaker’s estate cabernet franc 2016 (Similkameen Valley)

blueberry, graphite, potpourri, juicy and elegant.

The best B.C. red wines are now full of vibrant fruit, freshness and showing the sage, spice and juicy acidity of the terroir. oak is just a little seasoning for the dish.

As b.C. works toward defining its wine style, experts argue that it should come from the vineyard, not the barrel. Courtesy Wines of British Columbia, WineBC.com

star of the south

P HANTOM C REE k E STATES DESIGNED TO BECOME A LANDMAR k f OR THE O LI v ER AREA

Tim Pawsey

A stunning Dale Chihuly chandelier is the centrepiece of the Vip tasting room in the barrel cellar at phantom Creek estates near Oliver, b.C.

Photo courtesy of Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association

It’s fair to say that Phantom Creek is the most significant winery to be unveiled in the Okanagan Valley since 2002, when Anthony von Mandl pulled the wraps off his Tom Kundig-designed Mission Hill Family Estate.

And while Phantom Creek Estates may not sport a bell tower chiming the Angelus across the southern valley, it does boast pretty well everything else—and it promises to redefine the Okanagan hospitality experience much the way Mission Hill did 20 years ago.

Vancouver-based businessman and ardent wine aficionado Richter Bai founded the project in 2016, when he bought what was then Time Estate Winery from the late Harry McWatters. Bai has since transformed the half-completed foundation into a vision beyond anything even the unswervingly optimistic McWatters could have imagined.

Perched above the Black Sage Road near Oliver, this new south Okanagan anchor enjoys a commanding aspect of the 45-acre old-vines home estate Becker Vineyard and Richard Cleave’s famed Phantom Creek Vineyard, the winningest in Canada. Bai has also purchased the 44-acre Kobau Vineyard on Golden Mile Bench, two other 15-acre Black Sage Bench vineyards and 45 acres east of Vanessa Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley, now being planted to Riesling and Pinot Gris. All are planned to be fully certified organic and biodynamic over time.

At the meticulously landscaped entrance, visitors are welcomed by the six-metre-tall flying angelic forms of celebrated Taiwanese sculptor Wu Ching Ju’s dramatic Pro Terra et Natura, a replica of her salute to Mother Nature in the heart of Shanghai’s financial district. It is one of only three in the world.

The airy, two-floor reception level is truly dazzling, with sweeping views down and across to both sides of the valley. It boasts three panoramic rooms (two private), a 110-seat indoor/outdoor restaurant and a southwest-facing 526-seat outdoor amphitheatre.

But it’s the gravity-fed winery and cellar below that are even more convincing from a serious winemaking perspective. This is a winemaker’s dream come true.

There’s been no expense spared and an astonishing attention paid to detail at every turn, from the state-ofthe-art large oak fermenters and optical sorters to the custom-built Stockinger foudres that bring subtle heft and complexity to the Riesling and Pinot Gris that are the signature varieties of Alsatian star consultant winemaker Olivier Humbrecht MW.

In addition, the Phantom Creek team includes winemaker Francis Hutt (who has worked in New Zealand, Australia, Oregon and Burgundy) and Bordeaux-honed veteran Napa consultant Philippe Melka as consulting red winemaker. Heading up the operation is CEO Santiago Cilley, who originally helped shape Jackson Family Wines, before moving to Chile to head the sustainably ground-breaking Via and later returning to several key California properties.

On the lowest of the winery’s three levels, at the core of a circular red wine barrel cellar reminiscent of Napa’s legendary Opus One is the exclusive, wrap-around glass VIP tasting room, dominated by its original Dale Chihuly chandelier. As you taste, surrounded by barrels, there’s a sense of sanctuary, of utter peace and timelessness—and of a passionate and very focused vision unfolding.

A tA ste of p h A ntom cR eek

phantom creek estates pinot gris 2017 (Okanagan Valley, $30)

bright orchard fruit, plush, rounded, lingering.

phantom creek estates

phantom creek Vineyard cuvée 2016 (Okanagan Valley, $100)

Toasty, plush, cherry, cassis, mulberry, spice, seamless.

phantom creek estates

Becker Vineyard cuvée 2016 (Okanagan Valley, $60)

Bright red and black fruit, savoury, herbal, approachable tannins.

The sun rises over the p hantom Creek Vineyard.

Photo by Lionel Trudel for Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association

At p hantom Creek, guests are welcomed by the angelic forms of Taiwanese artist Wu Ching Ju’s dramatic sculpture Pro Terra et Natura. Tim Pawsey photo

a world of pink

B LUSH

SALMON

Daenna Van Mulligen

When it comes to summer, there are few things more visually appealing than a glistening glass of pink wine on a sunny day.

Be they the palest shade of onion skin or a deep, gleaming ruby, rosé wines are quintessential patio décor. But can you tell how good a wine will be based on its hue? When it comes to colour, it seems everyone has a preference—and an opinion—on what the most refreshing of rosés should look like.

“With rosé, it’s a hierarchy of traits,” says Howard Soon, winemaker for Vanessa Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley. “I think colour has to come first. We are taught when we taste wine to first look at its colour and clarity. How a wine looks can affect our quality judgement.” However, he continues, “We recognize that colour does not always tell us if the wine is going to smell or taste great.”

The colour of the rosé and the method of achieving it are determined by the winemaker. Colour comes from the grape skins, which means red grapes are used in almost all cases. While there are several ways to achieve this, it basically comes down to this: once grapes are pressed, the skin begins to stain the juice; the longer the grape skins are in contact with their juice, the deeper the shade.

So, in the palest of versions, the skins will be left in contact for mere hours, just enough to add a delicate blush to the juice. A ruby-hued rosé, on the other hand, may have the skins bathing for a couple of days before being separated.

An exception to this rule is the simple blending of red wine and white, such as in Champagne where a small amount of Pinot Noir can be added to achieve the desired pink of sparkling rosé.

Soon’s rosés have been getting progressively paler in recent years and his 2019 version is the fairest yet; he

prefers France’s Provençal styles, those with very little extraction of tannins and colour. His goal is to achieve a silky and fruit-driven wine that closely resembles a white.

Soon is not the only one with that predilection. Provence’s pale pinks have taken the world by storm. Even in the neighbouring Rhône Valley, the traditionally ruby-stained rosés have been getting paler.

Tavel, the Southern Rhône’s rosé-only appellation, has long been known for its intensely hued versions with impressive power—wines that are also able to age because of their structure, which is not a trait one considers in the lighter styles. The laws governing the production of Tavel’s wines mandate a minimum level of colour, but in recent years it seems even those nearly-red versions have paled.

Yet not everyone embraces the watery interpretations that are currently so popular.

Kelly McAuliff, an American sommelier and staunch Rhône Valley wine ambassador who resides in Avignon, has strong feelings about what he calls “stained whites.” McAuliff challenges this trend, appealing to winemakers to remain true to the colourful adaptations of his adopted region. “You need to stay with your creator—be the enigma. It’s better to be cerebral, than a fashion,” he says. “This trend of light rosé is not normal; the more colour, the more flavour you get.”

Wendy Vallaster, the founder and former head professor of the Ocea Mae European Sommelier Institute, agrees. She has a fondness for ruby-hued rosés from her years living in Spain.

“Spanish rosado is a staple year-round. It tends to be darker in colour from those of Provence,” she says. “The additional time with the skins adds more complexity to the wine, giving more depth and making it very food friendly. Rosado works great with pork, turkey, charcuterie; it’s an amazing salmon pairing, or summer salads.”

,

, RUB y: D OES A ROS é O f AN y COLOUR TASTE AS S w EET ?

What’s equally fascinating about rosé wines is how we’ve seen them evolve over the past decade. Initially, many equated those pale versions with sweet Californian blush wines, and darker versions were thought to be modern and drier. What consumers discovered was there were zero certainties: light could be dry and dark could be sweet. We needed to know the maker and the estate style, a fact that remains true today.

Even so, Provence’s fame has compelled us with its drier and luminous but faded interpretations, a genre that seems to have ravenous admirers and many producers have taken note.

The good news is that every winemaking country from New Zealand to Chile and Canada to Croatia makes variations of pink wine, be they still or sparkling, so there are plenty of options for all rosé enthusiasts.

s ip pink

mirabeau X, coteaux d’Aix en provence 2018 (Provence, $25.99)

blushing pink, charming and pristine.

stoneleigh wild Valley Rosé 2018 (Marlborough, New Zealand, $20)

Rusty red, tangy, notable tannic structure.

Bodegas garzón estate pinot noir Rosé 2019 (Uruguay, $16.50)

berries and violets, dry, juicy, structured.

Jean-luc colombo cape Bleue Rosé 2018 (Méditerranée, $20)

Fresh and floral, pristine and postured.

spearhead pinot noir Rosé (Kelowna, $22)

Strawberries and peaches silky, expressive and vibrant.

moet & chandon Rosé imperial nV (Champagne France, $83)

Tangy, buttery, toasted and creamy.

p ink fo R phil A nth R opy

While a crisp, summery rosé always tastes good, some b.C. rosés are also doing good by donating a portion of their sales to the bC Hospitality Foundation, which helps people in the hospitality industry facing financial crisis due to a health condition.

“These individuals in the hospitality industry support the wineries big time, especially the b.C. wineries,” says Tony Holler, president and co-owner of poplar grove Winery.

“They’re having a tough time right now and each winery should support them.”

it’s especially challenging this year as the pandemic has caused the cancellation of virtually all fundraising events. That’s why poplar grove is donating $5 from every bottle— or $60 a case—of its lakeview Vineyard Rosé to the bCHF. And they’re not the only one.

Okanagan Crush pad is donating $1 from each bottle of its Many Hands Rosé (available at everything Wine), and Quails’ gate is donating $5 from each of its 30th anniversary rosé magnums (only available at the winery). earlier this year, Corcelettes estate Winery donated partial proceeds from its rosé, for a total of more than $5,000.

not only does that money help the sick and injured, it also supports the bCHF’s much-needed scholarship program. “i think we may have seven new scholarships on top of the 10 main ones, thanks to all these large donations,” says bCHF executive director Dana Harris.

To learn how you can help, and for a complete list of supporters, visit bchospitalityfoundation.com/act-now/ongoing-fundraising-campaigns

“

The additional time with the skins adds more complexity to the wine, giving more depth and making it very food friendly.

a cookbook for wine lovers

A UTHOR jENNI f ER S CHELL GATHERS STORIES AND RECIPES

Joanne Sasvari

Born and raised on an apple orchard in East Kelowna, Jennifer Schell grew up alongside British Columbia’s wine industry, tasting her neighbours’ vintages and dining on the food they served at their tables. Now she’s gathered all those beloved family recipes in a new book that offers a taste of wine country, even for those who may not be able to experience it in person right now.

The BC Wine Lover’s Cookbook: Recipes and Stories from Wineries across British Columbia (Appetite by Random House) gathers family stories and recipes from 53 wineries from Vancouver Island to the Kootenays.

“I’m so thrilled with the book,” says Schell. “I realized, looking at the multicultural community, it’s so Canadian, it’s amazing. We put them all together and focused on their cultures, their family recipes, not chef recipes.”

Schell comes from a place of serious inside knowledge. She is also the author of the award-winning The Butcher, the Baker, the Wine and Cheese Maker series of books and is the former editor of Food & Wine Trails magazine, as well as co-owner of Schell Wines, co-founder of the Kelowna chapter of Soup Sisters and co-producer of the Garagiste North Wine Festival, which this year is scheduled for August 18. (Check garagistenorth.com to confirm it’s still going ahead.) Most recently, she’s

launched the wine news site iNwine

In her book, she includes everyone from the pioneers like Ann Sperling, a leader in the natural wine movement, to newcomers such as the Coulombe family, owners of vinAmité Cellars.

“Every time they shared a recipe—like Sev [winemaker Severine Pinte] at Le Vieux Pin and her scallop recipe— it reminded them of growing up,” Schell says. “And the recipes are all doable, because they are family recipes.”

Those recipes, like the people who created them, travelled from all over the world. B.C.’s wine industry is led by families from France, Spain, Holland, Israel, India, China and beyond. “They came for the farming industry, but now there are pilgrimages of people coming from all over the world to join this exciting industry,” Schell says. “It’s very multicultural and wonderful, with everyone sharing the same passion.”

As for her favourite recipes in the book, they include

f ROM B.C.’ S w INE - MA k ING f AMILIES

“

They came for the farming industry, but now there are pilgrimages of people coming from all over the world to join this exciting industry.

pA ul B R unne R ’s c u R ed sA lmon

Recipe by blue grouse estate Winery’s owner paul brunner, for The BC Wine Lover’s Cookbook by Jennifer Schell, published by Appetite by Random House, a division of penguin Random House Canada limited. note that the salmon takes three days to cure, so plan accordingly.

Serves about 10 as an appetizer

1 (2 lb) skin-on fillet wild BC salmon, de-boned (see note)

1 cup sea salt

1 cup raw demerara sugar

1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1 Tbsp black peppercorns, crushed (see note)

2 oranges, thinly sliced (see note)

1 bunch dill, chopped

2 jalapeño peppers, deveined, deseeded and sliced

1 bulb fennel, finely chopped

Chopped dill, to garnish

Chopped capers, to garnish

You will need two nesting Pyrex dishes for this recipe (the larger just big enough for the fish and the curing ingredients). Line the larger dish with enough plastic wrap to wrap around the fish.

Clean the scales off the fish and give it a good wash and dry. In a bowl, thoroughly mix the salt, sugar, cinnamon and peppercorns.

Lay the fish on top of the plastic wrap in the Pyrex dish, skin side down. Place the oranges on top and add the dill, jalapeño peppers and fennel. This will separate the salt/sugar mixture from the flesh of the fish and keep it from getting too salty.

Cover thoroughly with a generous amount of the salt/sugar mixture. Pull the plastic wrap tightly around the entire fish to seal it. Place the smaller Pyrex dish on top and fill it with around 8 lbs of weights (bags of rice work well).

Move the stack of dishes to the fridge and leave the salmon to cure for 48 hours. Every 12 hours, discard the liquid and flip the fish over.

After 48 hours, remove the plastic wrap and discard the seasoning ingredients, then rinse the fish well to remove any remaining salt. Pat it dry with clean paper towel. Place the fish on a baking sheet, uncovered, and return to the fridge to rest for 24 hours.

When ready to serve, slice into thin pieces with an extra-sharp knife and top with dill and capers. Serve with bagels and cream cheese, or on a platter with crostini. If you are not going to serve immediately, wrap it with plastic wrap and save in the fridge for up to 10 days.

notes: Make sure the salmon is sushi-grade or has been previously frozen. For the peppercorns, Szechuan or other coloured peppercorns will work as well. If you like, substitute grapefruit for the oranges.

Pair with: Blue Grouse Sparkling Paula. Named for Paul and Cristina’s daughter Paula, this sparkle starts with aromas of pear, biscuit and a bit of earthy mushroom followed by green apple and toast. Well balanced and off-dry, it finishes with elderflower and a lingering lemon-lime citrus.

Photo courtesy Appetite by Random House

the one printed here, the Peruvian-influenced cured salmon from Blue Grouse’s Paul Brunner.

“One I really love is from CheckMate. [Winemaker] Phil McGahan shared his mother’s chicken tarragon recipe from Australia, with Chardonnay sauce. It’s just delicious,” Schell says.

She also loves the bright yellow upside-down grape leaf rice from Silkscarf Winery, and insists it’s not as daunting as it looks. “Silkscarf, who I adore, they’re from Israel and their daughter used to operate a luncheonette out of the winery with course after course of Ottolenghi-esque food,” Schell says. “I thought it wouldn’t work, but it was perfect.”

As an added bonus, each recipe comes with a wine pairing provided by the vintners themselves. After all, Schell says, “Who better to know how to pair the food with the wine than the people who make it?”

And on the othe R side of the B o R de R . . .

even though we’re not crossing the border these days, you can still explore Washington State’s wineries—and taste the regional dishes that pair so well with them, thanks to Julien perry’s new book, Washington Wine + Food:

The Cookbook (Figure 1 publishing). in this beautifully illustrated book, the author of Seattle Cooks rounds up 40 of the state’s top wineries and 80 recipes from Seattle’s greatest chefs to tell the flavourful story of this dynamic wine region.

h igh ste A ks At m t. Bouche R ie

The way the story goes, back in 1888 a cattle rancher named isadore boucherie settled on the slopes of an extinct volcano in what is now West Kelowna, where he raised cattle, grew grapes and entertained the local citizenry, including Father pandosy, founder of the local mission. When boucherie boasted that the cowboy steak dinner he’d hosted was “the greatest meal this Valley e’er seen,” the priest wryly shot back: “Well, aren’t you the modest butcher?”

now the Modest butcher is making a comeback as the new restaurant at the winery named for that long-ago rancher, Mt. boucherie estate Winery.

it’s located in a stunning new facility that marks a dramatic evolution for one of british Columbia’s oldest winery operations, which began as a grape-growing business in 1968, and was among the first to plant vitis vinifera in the valley. Those familiar with the small rustic cabin that housed the former tasting room will be wowed by the 15,000-square-foot tasting area in the dramatic new structure designed by Vancouver’s Ciccozzi Architecture to pay homage to the Mt. boucherie volcano.

The Modest butcher Kitchen + Market, which opened with a limited menu in early June, will specialize in premium steaks and chops (fittingly so—boucherie in French means butcher shop) and casual wine country fare with a heavy emphasis on local ingredients. leading the kitchen is chef Dan Carkner, who previously worked at parliament Hill in Ottawa and Mission Hill Family estate just up the road. The wine list features labels from Mt. boucherie and its sister winery, Rust Wine Co., and promises to include international wines as well.

For info and reservations, visit modestbutcher.com

Author Jennifer Schell was delighted by the multicultural flavours of the recipes in her book. Photo courtesy Jennifer Schell

The new Modest butcher Kitchen + Market at Mt. boucherie estate Winery in West Kelowna will feature steaks and casual wine country fare.

Photo courtesy Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery

Vancouver Island

From the Saanich Peninsula to the Comox Valley, the Island has several pockets of microclimates that are ideal for growing grapes, especially cooler climate varieties such as Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The wineries are mostly smaller, family-owned properties located in seductively beautiful landscapes and surrounded by bountiful farms.

Emandare Vineyard and Winery

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Siegerrebe emandarevineyard.com

Enrico Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Ortega, Chardonnay, Petit Milo, Cabernet Libre enricowinery.com

Glenterra Vineyards

Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Bacchus, Siegerrebe, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Cabernet France, Pinot Meunier, Dornfelder, Lemberger glenterravineyards.com

Rocky Creek Winery

Alberni VA lley

Emerald Coast Vineyards

Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Madeline Angevine, Marechal Foch emeraldcoastvineyards.ca

Courten Ay/ Comox

40 Knots Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Siegerrebe, Gamay, Zweigelt, Schönberger, Auxerrois 40knotswinery.com

Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Ortega, Siegerrebe, Marechal Foch, Schönberger, Leon Millot beaufortwines.ca

Blue Moon Estate Winery Riesling, Syrah bluemoonwinery.ca

Coastal Black Estate Winery

Fruit wines, honey wines coastalblack.ca

C owi C h A n VA lley

Alderlea Vineyards

Bacchus, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot alderlea.com

Averill Creek Vineyard

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Marechal Foch averillcreek.ca

Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Ortega, Siegerrebe, Bacchus, Gamay Noir bluegrouse.ca

Cherry Point Estate Wines

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Ortega, Pinot Blanc, Agria, Zweigelt cherrypointestatewines.com

Damali Lavender & Winery

Riesling, Merlot, Dolce Mora damali.ca

Deol Estate Winery

Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch deolestatewinery.com

Divino Estate Winery

Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Castel, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio divinowine.ca

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Viognier, Siegerrebe, Marechal Foch, Tempranillo rockycreekwinery.ca

Unsworth Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignette, Riesling, Merlot, Petit Milo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, sparkling wine unsworthvineyards.com

Venturi-Schulze

Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, rosé, sparkling wine, dessert wine venturischulze.com

Zanatta Winery

Pinot Noir, Ortega, Pinot Grigio, sparkling wine zanatta.ca

Blue Grouse Estate Winery in the Cowichan Valley offers cool-climate wines in a bucolic setting. Leanna Rathkelly photo

nA n A imo

Chateau Wolff Estates

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, Siegerrebe, Bacchus chateauwolff.com

Millstone Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Siegerrebe millstonewinery.ca

PA rks V ille

Mooberry Winery & Little Qualicum

Cheeseworks

Fruit wines mooberrywinery.com

sAA ni C h

Peninsul A

Church & State Wines (Saanich)

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec churchandstatewines.com

De Vine Vineyards & Spirits

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Ortega, Siegerrebe, Pinot Blanc, Marechal Foch devinevineyards.ca

Deep Cove Winery

Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Ortega, Schönberger, rosé, Marechal Foch, Pinot Noir deepcovewinery.ca

Gulf Islands

Domaine Rochette Winery

Pinot Noir, Ortega, rosé, Marechal Foch, Schönberger domainerochette.com

Invinity Sparkling Wine House

Sparkling wine invinity.ca

Parsell Vineyard

Ortega, Pinot Gris, Marechal Foch, Gamay, orange wine, sparkling wine, spiced wine parsellvineyard.com

Rathjen Cellars

Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gamay, rosé rathjencellars.com

Symphony Vineyard

Gewürztraminer, Ortega, Marechal Foch symphonyvineyard.com

The Roost Farm Centre & Highland House Farm Winery

Siegerrebe, fruit wines roostfarmcentre.com

The Gulf Islands dot the Strait of Georgia that separates Vancouver Island from the Mainland. Salt Spring, Pender, Saturna, Quadra, Hornby, Denman and Thetis islands boast a laidback lifestyle and an oceanic climate ideal for the increasing number of wineries producing cool-climate wines.

Isla de Lerena Vineyard

Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir lerenavineyards.com

Pender i sl A nd

Sea Star Estate Farm and Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Ortega, Sigerrebe, Pinot Gris, Marechal Foch seastarvineyards.ca

Qu A dr A i sl A nd

sA lt sP ring i sl A nd

Garry Oaks Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, rosé, Zweigelt garryoakswinery.com

Kutatás Wines

Pinot Gris, Ortega, Reichensteiner, Madeleine Angevine, Pinot Noir, sparkling wine kutataswines.com

Salt Spring Vineyards & Winery

d enm A n i sl A nd

Corlan Vineyard & Farm

Ortega, Siegerrebe, Marechal Foch

corlanvineyard.wordpress. com

h ornby i sl A nd

Hornby Island Estate Winery

Fruit wines hornbywine.com

SouthEnd Farm

Winery Siegerrebe, Petit Milo, Cabernet France, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, sparkling wine southend.ca

Pinot Gris, Marechal Foch, fruit wines saltspringvineyards.com

Garry Oaks Estate Winery is one of three on Salt Spring Island.

Photo courtesy Garry Oaks Estate Winery

Fraser Valley

It comes as something of a surprise to many people to learn that there are more than two dozen wineries right on the doorstep of B.C.’s biggest city—including a handful right in Greater Vancouver itself. Wineries in Surrey, Richmond, New Westminster, Delta, Langley, Aldergrove and Abbotsford produce wine from everything from rice to berries to vitis vinifera. Most are small, family-owned properties and several offer additional attractions such as farm tours or bistros.

Caven Cellars

Pinot Noir cavencellars.com

Chaberton Estate Winery

Ortega, Siegerrebe, Bacchus, Madeline Angevine , Gamay Noir, Reichensteiner, Zweigelt, Madeleine Sylvaner, Schönberger chabertonwinery.com

Glass House Estate Winery

Gewürztraminer, Merlot, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, icewine glasshouseestatewinery.com/

Abbotsford

Blackwood Lane

Vineyards & Winery

Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Siegerrebe blackwoodlanewinery.com

Maan Farms Estate

Winery

Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, fruit wines

maanfarms.com

Mt. Lehman Winery

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc mtlehmanwinery.ca

Ripples Winery

Fruit wines rippleswinery.com

Seaside Pearl

Farmgate Winery

Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, sparkling wine

seasidepearlwinery.ca

Singletree Winery (Abbotsford)

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Cabernet

Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Siegerrebe singletreewinery.com

ChilliwAC k

Whispering Horse Winery

L’Acadie Blanc, Epicure, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Gris, La Crescent, Dornfelder whisperinghorsewinery.com

d eltA

Angel Estate Winery

Fruit wines angelestatewinery.com

Wellbrook Winery

Fruit wines wellbrookwinery.com

lA ngley/ AldergroV e

Backyard Vineyards

Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio backyardvineyards.ca

Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery

Fruit wines, sparkling wine, dessert wines krauseberryfarms.com

The Fort Langley Wine Co. Fruit wines thefortwineco.com

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery (Langley)

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay township7.com

Vigneti Marchetto

Pinot Gris, Bacchus, Riesling, Epicure, Amiel, Pinot Noir vignetimarchetto.com

Vista D’oro Farms & Winery

Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch, Pinot Gris, Syrah, fortified walnut wine vistadoro.com n

Pacific Breeze Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris,

Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc pacificbreezewinery.com

Pitt m e A dows

Blue Heron Fruit Winery

Fruit wines, dessert wines blueheronwinery.ca

r i C hmond

Canada Berries Fruit wines canadablueberries.com

Lulu Island Winery

Pinot Gris, Merlot, fruit wines, icewine luluislandwinery.com

Richmond Country Vines

Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, rosé countryfarms.ca/ country-vines-winery

s urrey

1st R.O.W. Estate Winery

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé 1row.ca

Vinoscenti Vineyards

Ehrenfelser. Kerner, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah vinoscentivineyards.ca

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Vancouver Urban Winery

Pinot Gris, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc vancouverurbanwinery.com

Abbotsford’s Seaside Pearl is known for its bubble. Photo courtesy of photobin.com

Okanagan

When most people think B.C. wine, they think of the Okanagan Valley, which produces 84 per cent of the province’s wine. This is one of the most varied wine regions in the world, stretching from cool-climate Lake Country in the north to the blistering-hot desert around Osoyoos in the south. Everything from ice wine to big, tannic, fruit-driven reds is produced at wineries that range from small family-run boutique vineyards to big global players, many of them featuring fine restaurants, guesthouses and cultural experiences.

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Birch Block Vineyard

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, rosé birchblockvineyard.com

Black Market Wine Co.

Pinot Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, rosé blackmarketwine.ca

Kraze Legz Vineyard & Winery

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C.C. Jentsch Cellars

Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Malbec, Petit Verdot ccjentschcellars.com

CheckMate Artisanal Winery

Merlot, Chardonnay checkmatewinery.com

Culmina Family Estate Winery

Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner culmina.ca

Fairview Cellars

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc fairviewcellars.ca

Gehringer Brothers

Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon

Blanc, Ehrenfelser, Schönberger, Auxerrois gehringerwines.ca

Hester Creek Estate Winery

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc hestercreek.com

Road 13 Vineyards

Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Malbec, Roussanne, Mourvedre, Marsanne, Chenin Blanc, Petit Verdot road13vineyards.com

Rust Wine Co.

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, rosé, Pinot Grigio rustwine.com

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay tinhorn.com

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc krazelegz.com

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Ancient Hill Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, rosé, Baco Noir ancienthillwinery.com

Burnt Timber Winery

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc burnttimberwinery.com

Calona Vineyards (Wayne Gretzky Okanagan, Conviction, Peller)

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay andrewpeller.com

Camelot Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio camelotvineyards.ca

CedarCreek Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot,

Chardonnay, icewine cedarcreek.bc.ca

Frequency Wine & Sound

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Zweigelt frequencywinery.ca

House of Rose Winery

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay houseofrose.ca

Kitsch Wines

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay kitschwines.ca

Martin's Lane Winery

Pinot Noir, Riesling martinslanewinery.com

Meadow Vista Honey Wines

Fruit wines, honey wines meadowvista.ca

Mirabel Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, rosé mirabelvineyards.com

Nagging Doubt Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay naggingdoubt.com

Priest Creek Family Estate Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, sparkling wine priestcreekwinery.com

Ricco Bambino Urban Winery

Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Riesling, sparkling wine, rosé riccobambino.com

At CedarCreek’s restaurant, Home Block, diners enjoy idyllic views over Okanagan Lake. Photo courtesy CedarCreek Estate Winery

Sandhill Wines

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Viognier, Malbec, Pinot Blanc, Barbera sandhillwines.ca

Scorched Earth Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot, rosé scorchedearthwinery.ca

SpearHead Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay spearheadwinery.com

Sperling Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Bacchus, icewine sperlingvineyards.com

St. Hubertus & Oak Bay

Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Gamay Noir, icewine st-hubertus.bc.ca

Summerhill Pyramid

Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Ehrenfelser, icewine, sparkling wine summerhill.bc.ca

Tantalus Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Riesling, rosé, Chardonnay, icewine tantalus.ca

The Vibrant Vine

Gewürztraminer, rosé, Pinot Grigio, icewine, Muscat thevibrantvine.com

The View Winery

Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, rosé, Ehrenfelser, Pinotage theviewwinery.com

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50th Parallel Estate

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay 50thparallel.com

Arrowleaf Cellars

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, rosé arrowleafcellars.com

Blind Tiger Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah blindtigervineyards.ca

Ex Nihilo Vineyards Okanagan Valley

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay exnihilovineyards.com

Gray Monk Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay graymonk.com

Intrigue Wines

Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay intriguewines.ca

O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars

Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Noir, rosé orourkespeakcellars.com

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1 Mill Road Vineyards Pinot Noir 1millroad.ca

Bella Wines sparkling wine bellawines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon bench1775.com

Black Widow Winery

Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscat, Schönberger blackwidowwinery.com

D’Angelo Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier dangelowinery.com

Da Silva Vineyards & Winery

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Fumé Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Muscat dasilvavineyards.com

Daydreamer Wines

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, rosé, Chardonnay, Shiraz daydreamerwines.ca

Deep Roots Winery

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Gamay, Muscat deeprootswinery.com

Elephant Island Winery

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, fruit wines elephantislandwine.com

Four Shadows

Vineyard & Winery

Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, rosé fourshadowsvineyard.com

Foxtrot Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier foxtrotwine.com

Hillside Winery & Bistro

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Viognier, Gamay Noir, Muscat Ottonel hillsidewinery.ca

Howling Bluff Estate

Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc howlingbluff.ca

JoieFarm

Pinot Noir, Riesling, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Blanc, Gamay joiefarm.com

Kettle Valley Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Viognier, Zinfandel kettlevalleywinery.com

La Frenz Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc lafrenzwinery.com

Lake Breeze Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Ehrenfelser, Pinot Blanc, Semillon lakebreeze.ca

Lang Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, Marechal Foch langvineyards.ca

Laughing Stock Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier laughingstock.ca

Lock & Worth Winery

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon lockandworth.com

Marichel Vineyard and Winery

Pinot Noir, Syrah marichel.ca

Misconduct Wine Co.

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Malbec, Muscat misconductwineco.com

Mocojo Wines

Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Viognier, Malbec mocojowines.com

Monster Vineyards

Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay, Shiraz monstervineyards.ca

OUR WINE LIST IS 100% BC

100% Lake Country, 100% Estate Grown, on 100+ acres

The Tasting Room is open daily 11am-5pm with extended summer hours. Ask us about our tours and tasting experiences.

The Garden Bistro is open year round 11:30am-7pm with extended summer hours. We invite you to enjoy our seasonal menu inspired by our bright and complex wines on the patio overlooking the vineyard,

Visit us or call ahead for reservations: 2290 Goldie Rd, Lake Country • 250-766-9922 • orourkespeakcellars.com

1300 Robson St. | Vancouver, BC

Moraine Estate Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon morainewinery.com

Nichol Vineyard

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, St. Laurent nicholvineyard.com

Origin Wines

Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc originwines.ca

Perseus Winery

Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc perseuswinery.com

Poplar Grove Winery

Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, rosé poplargrove.ca

Red Rooster Winery

Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon redroosterwinery.com

Roche Wines

Schönberger, Zweigelt, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Gewürztraminer rterroir.ca

Ruby Blues Winery

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier rubyblueswinery.ca

Serendipity Winery

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio serendipitywinery.com

Singletree Winery (Naramata)

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Siegerrebe singletreewinery.com

Terravista Vineyards

Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne terravistavineyards.com

Therapy Vineyards & Guest House

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc therapyvineyards.com

Three Sisters Winery

Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay 3sisterswinery.com

Tightrope Winery

Viognier, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon tightropewinery.ca

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery (Naramata)

Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc township7.com

Upper Bench Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Zweigelt upperbench.ca

Van Westen Vineyards

Pinot Gris, Viognier, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, icewine vanwestenvineyards.com

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BC Wine Studio

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Grüner Veltliner, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec bcwinestudio.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Gamay

Noir, sparkling wine bluemountainwinery.com

Bonamici Cellars

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah bonamicicellars.com

Echo Bay Vineyard

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenere, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese echobayvineyard.ca

Liquidity Wines

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier liquiditywines.com

Mayhem Wines

Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, rosé liquiditywines.com

Meyer Family Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay mfvwines.com

Nighthawk Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay nighthawkvineyards.com

Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio nobleridge.com

Rigour & Whimsy

Pinot Blanc, Roussanne, Muscat, Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir rigourandwhimsy.ca

See Ya Later Ranch

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay sylranch.com

Stag's Hollow Winery & Vineyard

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon

Blanc, Grenache, Muscat, Tempranillo, Vidal stagshollowwinery.com

Synchromesh Wines

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Franc synchromeshwines.ca

Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery

Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot wildgoosewinery.com

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Bartier Bros. Winery

Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Semillon bartierbros.com

Black Hills Estate Winery Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Roussanne blackhillswinery.com

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec burrowingowlwine.ca

Cassini Cellars

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay cassini.ca

Castoro de Oro Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Vidal, Siegfried castorodeoro.com

Church & State Wines (Okanagan)

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec churchandstatewines.com

Covert Farms Family Estate

Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Roussanne, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot covertfarms.ca

Desert Hills Estate Winery

Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, Malbec, Gamay deserthills.ca

French Door Estate Winery

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Malbec, Syrah, Cinsault, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir frenchdoorwinery.com

Gold Hill Winery

Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Malbec goldhillwinery.com

Here’s the Thing Vineyards

Viognier, Roussane, Gamay Noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, rosé heresthethingvineyards.com

Hidden Chapel Winery

Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec hiddenchapelwinery.com

Inniskillin Okanagan

Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Malbec, Pinot

Blanc, Tempranillo inniskillin.com

Intersection Estate

Winery

Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne xwine.ca

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate

Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz

jacksontriggswinery.com

Kismet Estate Winery

Riesling, Syrah, rosé, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Bordeaux blends

kismetestatewinery.com

La Casa Bianca Winery

Riesling, Cabernet Franc lacasabianca.ca

Le Vieux Pin Winery

Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, rosé levieuxpin.ca

Maverick Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Syrah maverickwine.ca

Okanagan Hills Estate Winery

Pinot Gris ohwinery.com

Oliver Twist Estate Winery

Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Kerner, Chardonnay, Viognier, Malbec, Shiraz olivertwistwinery.com

Phantom Creek Estate Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Viognier, Riesling, Pinot Gris

phantomcreekestates.com

Pipe’Dreams Vineyard and Estate Winery

Merlot, Kerner, Gamay,

Zweigelt, Grüner Veltliner pipedreamswinery.com

Platinum Bench Estate Winery

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé, Gamay Noir platinumbench.com

Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery

Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec quintaferreira.com

Red Horses Vineyard

Chardonnay, rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot redhorsesvineyard.ca

River Stone Estate Winery

Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Petit Verdot riverstoneestatewinery.ca

Second Chapter Wine Company

PInot Gris, Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier, rosé, Chardonnay, sparkling wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec scwines.ca

Silver Sage Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Pinot Blanc silversagewinery.com

Squeezed Wines

Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc squeezedwines.ca

Stoneboat Vineyards

Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinotage stoneboatvineyards.com

vinAmité Cellars

Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gamay vinamitecellars.com

Winemaker’s CUT

Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltiner, Syrah, Pinot Noir, rosé winemakerscut.ca

o soyoos

Adega On 45th Estate Winery

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec adegaon45.com

Blue Sky Estate Winery

Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Shiraz blueskywinery.ca

Bordertown Vineyards

Pinot Gris, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grüner Veltliner bordertownwinery.com

Lakeside Cellars

Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, sparkling wine lakesidecellars.com

Lariana Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Carménère larianacellars.com

LaStella Winery

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio lastella.ca

Moon Curser Vineyards

Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Tempranillo, Tannat, Bordeaux blend mooncurser.com

Nk'Mip Cellars

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc nkmipcellars.com

Osoyoos Larose Estate Winery Bordeaux blend osoyooslarose.com

Sonora Desert Winery

Ortega, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé sonoradesertwinery.ca

Young & Wyse Collection

Pinot Noir, Syrah youngandwysewine.com

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Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Merlot, rosé, Chardonnay, Ehrenfelser, sparkling wine fitzwine.com

Hainle Vineyards

Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Ehrenfelser, Zweigelt hainle.com

Penti C ton

Evolve Cellars

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, sparkling wine evolvecellars.com

Kanazawa Wines

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Pinot Blanc kanazawawines.com

Little Engine Wines

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot littleenginewines.com

Play Estate Winery

Moscato, Viognier, Syrah, red and white blends playwinery.com

TIME Winery

Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé, red and white blends timewinery.com

Black Dog Cellars

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay blackdogcellars.ca

Blasted Church Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Ehrenfelser, Pinot Blanc, Lemberger blastedchurch.com

Crescent Hill Winery

Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay, Muscat crescenthillwinery.com

Painted Rock Estate Winery

Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay paintedrock.ca

Pentâge Winery

Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Gamay, Semillon, Tempranillo, Roussanne pentage.com

Wesbert Winery

Merlot, white blend, red blend, rosé wesbertwinery.com

s ummerl A nd

8th Generation Vineyard

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Chardonnay, frizzante 8thgeneration.com

Back Door Winery

Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec backdoorwinery.com

Dirty Laundry Vineyard

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,

Chardonnay, rosé dirtylaundry.ca

Estate Thurn Winery, Craft Distillery & Vinegar Brewery

Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc bodega1117.com

Giant Head Estate

Winery

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Merlot giantheadwinery.com

Heaven's Gate Estate

Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Gamay Noir, Semillon heavensgatewinery.ca

Lightning Rock Winery

Pinot Noir, Viognier, rosé lightningrockwinery.ca

Lunessence Winery & Vineyard

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, dessert wines lunessencewinery.com

Okanagan Crush Pad

Winery

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, sparkling wine okanagancrushpad.com

Sage Hills Organic Vineyard & Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Merlot sagehillswine.com

Savard Vines

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Grigio savardvines.ca

Saxon Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot saxonwinery.com

Silkscarf Winery

Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Malbec, Riesling-Muscat, ShirazViognier silkw.net

Sleeping Giant Fruit

Winery

Fruit wines, dessert wines sleepinggiantfruitwinery.com

Sumac Ridge Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz sumacridge.com

SummerGate Winery

Riesling, Kerner, Muscat Ottonel summergate.ca

Summerland Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot summerlandestatewinery.com

Thornhaven Estates Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Pinot Meunier thornhaven.com

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Beaumont Family Estate Organic Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, rosé, Gamay Noir, icewine beaumontwinery.com

Ciao Bella Estate Winery

Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio ciaobellawinery.com

Frind Estate Winery

Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Pinot Noir, rosé frindwinery.com

Grizzli Winery

Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat grizzliwinery.com

Indigenous World Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Ehrenfelser, Muscat indigenousworldwinery.com

Kalala Organic Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zweigelt, Vidal, Auxerrois kalalawines.ca

Little Straw Vineyards Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Siegerrebe, Chenin Blanc littlestraw.bc.ca

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, icewine missionhillwinery.com

Mt. Boucherie Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay Noir, Zweigelt, icewine, Zinfandel mtboucheriewinery.com

Niche Wine Company

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc nichewinecompany.com

Similkameen

Off The Grid Organic Winery

Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay, Zweigelt offthegridorganicwinery.com

Quails' Gate Winery

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, icewine, Chenin Blanc, Marechal Foch quailsgate.com

Rollingdale Winery

Pinot Gris, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc rollingdale.ca

Tender Hope Winery

Chardonnay, Rousanne, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, orange wine tenderhopewinery.com

The Hatch

Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gamay thehatchwines.com

Volcanic Hills Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Gamay Noir, Zweigelt volcanichillswinery.com

Known both as Canada’s organic capital and its best-kept-secret wine country, the sun-soaked Similkameen produces everything from fruit-driven reds to bright, flinty whites. Surrounded by rugged mountains that trap the heat and funnel mildew-banishing winds through the vineyards, the valley features a variety of soils including stone, gravel and silty loam from glacial rock formations. Although there are relatively few tasting rooms here, there are many vineyards that grow grapes for wineries in other regions.

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Crowsnest Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay crowsnestvineyards.com

Eau Vivre Winery & Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Cabernet Franc eauvivrewinery.ca

Forbidden Fruit Winery

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Vidal, Tannat forbiddenfruitwine.com

Hugging Tree Winery

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Malbec, Petit Verdot huggingtreewinery.com

Liber Farm & Winery

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay liberfarm.com

Little Farm Winery

Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay littlefarmwinery.ca

Orofino Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gamay Noir, Shiraz, sparkling wine, Muscat orofinovineyards.com

Rustic Roots Winery

Fruit wines, dessert wines rusticrootswinery.com

Scout Vineyard

Riesling, Syrah, rosé scoutvineyard.com

Seven Stones Winery

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay sevenstones.ca

Vanessa Vineyard Estate Winery

Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc vanessavineyard.com

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Clos Du Soleil Winery

Cabernet Franc, rosé, Pinot Blanc, Shiraz closdusoleil.ca

Corcelettes Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, rosé corceletteswine.ca

Robin Ridge Winery

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Gamay robinridgewinery.com

St. Laszlo Vineyards Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot stlaszlo.com

Other regions

Some of B.C.’s most exciting wines are being produced in regions that are so new, few people have heard of them. But given the awards they’re pulling in, these wineries will become famous soon enough. And who knows where vintners will be planting grapes next?

Waterside Vineyard & Winery

Siegerrebe. Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Ortega, Viognier. Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch, rosé watersidewinery.com

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Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay bailliegrohman.com

Columbia Gardens

Vineyard & Winery

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Harper's Trail Estate

Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, rosé, sparkling wine harperstrail.com

Monte Creek Ranch Winery

Chardonnay, Marechal

Foch, Frontenac Blanc, Frontenac Gris, La Crescent, Marquette, Pinot Noir, Riesling montecreekranch.com

Privato Vineyard & Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, rosé, Chardonnay privato.ca

Sagewood Winery

Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Franc sagewoodwinery.ca

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Cliff and Gorge Vineyards

Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Marechal Foch, rosé fortberens.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay fortberens.ca

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Baccata Ridge Winery

Gewürztraminer, Ortega, Siegerrebe, Marechal Foch, Gamay Noir, Zweigelt baccataridgewinery.ca

Celista Estate Winery

Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Ortega, rosé, Marechal Foch celistawine.com

Edge Of The Earth

Vineyards

Ortega, Marechal Foch edgeearth.ca

Larch Hills Winery

Ortega, Madeline Angevine, Agria larchhillswinery.com

Marionette Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Zweigelt marionettewinery.com

Ovino Winery

Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc ovinowinery.com

Recline Ridge

Vineyards & Winery

Pinot Noir, Ortega, Kerner, rosé, Siegerrebe, Bacchus, Madeline Angevine , Marechal Foch, Zweigelt, Madeleine Sylvaner reclineridgewinery.com

Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery

Pinot Noir, Ortega, Kerner, Siegerrebe, Marechal Foch, Schönberger sunnybraewinery.com

Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon cgwinery.com

Heron Ridge Estates

Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, fruit wines facebook.com/ HeronRidgeEstatesWinery

Red Bird Estate Winery

Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé redbirdwine.com

Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Ortega, Marechal Foch skimmerhorn.ca

Wynnwood Cellars

Pinot Noir, Syrah wynnwoodcellars.com

Prin C e g eorge

Northern Lights Estate Winery Ltd.

Fruit wines northernlightswinery.ca

In the Shuswap, Larch Hills Winery is pushing the boundaries of where wine can be grown.

Photo courtesy of BC Wine Institute, WineBC.com

Magnum

g o big or go home with l A rge-form A t wine bottles

Barb Wild

When it comes to wine bottles, size matters. Often associated with history and enjoyed by kings and presidents, today large-format bottles are enjoying a renewed popularity. A magnum of rosé or Champagne is an excellent summer party showstopper, even if your social gathering is small and distant. Meanwhile, I’m dreaming of that double magnum of Meyer Family Pinot Noir that lived on the top shelf of my favorite wine shop, hoping to enjoy it with a cedar-planked salmon back-deck BBQ on my July long weekend birthday.

Wine regions from Champagne to California to Canada offer wine in large format, but the best-known are Bordeaux and Burgundy, with their complex reds. For collectors, larger bottle sizes allow wine to age more slowly and consistently under cork. It is this slow micro-breathing of the cork that allows the exchange between the interior life of the bottle and the world outside to produce the desired soft, supple yet fresh and lively character of the maturing wine.

For most of us however, a large-format bottle is a question of party size and showstopper appeal. Champagne bottle size has less importance than does the date of disgorgement (which appears on the front or back label), and for rosé, a magnum is simply stellar presentation. And even though there is no bottle price advantage to buying larger or smaller format, it’s still fun to upsize.

B OTTLE SIZES FOR STILL WINE

Many large-format bottles are named for biblical characters—Jeroboam, for instance, means “First King of The Kingdom,” while Nebuchadnezzar was the “King of Babylon.” Here’s what that means in terms of volume.

• Standard: 0.75 L or five glasses.

• Magnum: 1.5 L, equivalent of two bottles or 10 glasses.

• Double magnum: 3 L, equivalent of four bottles or 20 glasses.

• Jeroboam: 4.5 L, equivalent of six bottles or 30 glasses.

• Imperial: 6 L, equivalent of eight bottles or 40 glasses.

• Salmanazar: 9 L, equivalent of 12 bottles or 60 glasses.

• Balthazar: 12 L, equivalent of 16 bottles or 90 glasses.

• Nebuchadnezzar: 15 L, equivalent of 20 bottles or 110 glasses.

• Solomon: 18 L, equivalent of 24 bottles or 130 glasses.

GO

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G with these wines

Orofino Cabernet Franc Rosé 2018 (Similkameen, 1.5 L, $39.99)

Fresh raspberry, lemon, mineral.

Gérard bertrand Côtes de Roses Rosé 2018 (Languedoc, 1.5 L, $49.99)

Dry, fresh strawberry, red currants, white blossoms.

Pierre Paillard “Les Parcelles” Grand Cru bouzy nV (Champagne, 1.5L, $155.99)

Dry, cooked apples, croissants, white pepper.

bottega Prosecco Gold Label brut nV (Veneto, 3L $170)

Dry, crisp yellow apple, tart berry, floral notes.

Foxtrot Pinot noir 2014 (Naramata, 3L, $540)

Sweet bruised cherry, roasted mushroom, forest floor, spice.

Meyer Family McLean Creek Road Pinot noir 2014 (Okanagan Falls, 3L $240)

Silky red raspberry, earth, mushroom, spice.

Larger formats like this double magnum of Foxtrot Pinot Noir give complex reds more breathing room to develop their fresh, lively character.

Photo courtesy Foxtrot Vineyards