Welcome to BC Wine Country

An article in a November 2021 issue of a major U.S. newspaper encourages wine enthusiasts to bypass the Napa Valley and visit BC wine country instead. The Washington Post describes Canada’s western wine region as laid-back, diverse, easy to navigate and more economical. Unlike Napa, few of the wineries export their wines, as 90 per cent of British Columbia wine is sold within the province. So if you want to drink them, “you’ll probably have to go there,” the article says. “And the experience and personal touch make it worth the trip.” As a relatively younger wine destination, BC still offers a “wallet-friendly experience,” the article adds. “Tasting fees are typically less than $10 (compared with $58 in Napa, both in U.S. dollars) and are often, though not always waived with a purchase of a bottle.” The article goes on to say the terrain is surprisingly diverse and that it’s easy to hit up multiple wineries in a day by following a wine trail. This guide aims to help enthusiasts do just that. The words penned in the Washington Post are sure to be encouraging to BC producers who are ramping up for the full return of tourists after the start of the pandemic. If there’s anything the last two years have taught them it’s resiliency. But that’s something they’ve already had in spades. Vintners have been making wines in British Columbia for well over a century, but the industry only really got established three decades ago, so yes, it’s fairly young. In 1990, pioneering vintners and grape growers collaborated to forge the Vintners’ Quality Alliance (VQA) and the British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI). The VQA standard was created to guarantee consumers were drinking wine made from 100 per cent BC grapes. Prior to that, consumers had no real way of verifying the authenticity of what was in their glass. It went a long way toward establishing truth in labeling and building consumer confidence in provincially-made wines.

VQA was not without its controversy and there was resistance by some producers, but there is little doubt the movement helped propel the industry forward. At the time that VQA was introduced, there were only 19 grape wineries in the province. Today, there are around 300, as well as dozens of others making wine using alternative fruits and even honey. You can’t argue with those numbers.

There’s a lot to love about BC wines today. One of the of the driving forces behind the industry’s continued growth is the designation of more “geographical indications (GIs)” and sub-GIs, which recognize the unique terroir of specific wine growing areas in BC.

DISTANCE & DRIVE TIMES

DISTANCE CHART DISTANCE DRIVE TIME Lillooet to Kamloops 171km 2h 5min Kamloops to Salmon Arm 109km 1h 13min Kamloops to Vernon 116km 1h 23min Salmon Arm to Vernon 58.7km 46min Vernon to Lake Country 28.5km 22min Lake Country to Kelowna 26.5km 26min Kelowna to West Kelowna 7.8km 9min West Kelowna to Peachland 22km 21min Peachland to Summerland 20.8km 13min Summerland to Penticton 16.6km 13min Penticton to Okanagan Falls 20.8km 19min Okanagan Falls to Keremeos 39.1km 29min Okanagan Falls to Oliver 21.1km 16min Oliver to Osoyoos 20.8km 17min Osoyoos to Cawston 41km 27min Cawston to Keremeos 7.2km 8min Keremeos to Kamloops 240km 2h 46min Vancouver to Kelowna 390km 4hr 25min Vancouver to Osoyoos 397km 4hr 45min Vancouver to Victoria (ferry) 115km 3hr 11min Vancouver to Lillooet 252km 3hr 46min

Currently, there are nine GIs (Fraser Valley, Gulf Islands, Kootenays, Lillooet, Okanagan Valley, Shuswap, Similkameen Valley, Thompson Valley and Vancouver Island). There are five sub-GIs within the Okanagan Valley (Golden Miles Slopes, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Falls, Naramata Bench and Skaha Bench), and one sub-GI of Vancouver Island (Cowichan Valley). These are recognized as appellation areas that help people identify where the wines are from, and provide assurance as to their origin. GIs would be comparable to Italy’s DOCG or France’s AOC appellation programs. These encourage quality and promote agri-tourism. Under BC’s Wines of Marked Quality Regulation, any wine bearing the VQA symbol must contain grapes that were 100 per cent grown within the province. For wines bearing a GI designation, 95 per cent of the grapes must originate from within that area, while five per cent can come from elsewhere in the province. Many vintners have taken things a step further by producing single vineyard offerings or small lots that have stepped up overall quality and give BC wine enthusiasts a deeper “sense of place.” It is not unusual for individual vineyards to have unique soils and topography even within the same sub-GI. In January 2022, Forbes magazine published an article describing this very phenomenon in the Okanagan Valley. It points to the region’s diverse geology as attributing to great complexity in its wines. Forbes describes the landscape as having been “shaped by complex processes of mountain building, volcanic eruptions, glaciation and erosion.” “The result is a series of ancient soils composed of glacial till and eroded bedrock that are very heterogenous. It’s not uncommon for a small 10-acre vineyard to exhibit a half dozen or more different soil types.” Check out the regional maps and articles within this guide for information on the topography, soil, climate and grapes grown.

BC WINE TRENDS

Sustainable Farming - There’s a growing movement among vintners to adopt more natural farming practises. Examples of this are the use of beneficial insects to combat grubs and catepillars or mulching, composting and growing vegetation beneath the vines to provide habitat for natural predators instead of using insecticides.

Orange wines - This is a type of white wine made naturally by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice over an extended period resulting in an orange tinge. It is often left unfiltered so it appears hazy or cloudy. The wines tend to have a bit of a sour, bready and nutty character that can be an acquired taste. Wine in cans - BC wine producers are embracing this eco-friendly packaging to provide enthusiasts with portable, quick-to-chill and cheerful wines for on-the-go consumption. Theses 250 ml cans are typically sold individually. Gravity Flow Winemaking - The use of gravity to move wine through the various phases of production is becoming increasingly popular in BC’s cellars. Mechanical pumps use force to move wines between the crush pad and tanks and barrels, which can increase the risk of them becoming overly tannic or oxidated. Gravity flow is said to be more gentle.

Concrete Eggs - Amphora aging or the use of clay vessels (often found in the shape of large eggs) is becoming increasing popular among BC producers. Stainless steel tanks provide a neutral, oxygen-free enviroment, while oak barrels allow for some oxygen to permeate the wine while imparting additional aromas and flavours. Clay aging is the middle-ground, as the vessels are porous so the wine gets a rich texture from the oxygen while providing no additional flavours.

British Columbia’s Original VQA Wine Store

Over 900 BC Wines / Complimentary Tastings Wine Shipping Service Books, Gifts, Wine Accessories www.pentictonwineinfo.com #101-553 Vees Drive, Penticton 250-490-2006 / Open 7 days per week

PHOTOS: Skaha Lake Motels; Wesbert Winery; Casa Del Mila Oro Resort; Row Fourteen

WHERE TO STAY

WHERE TO EAT

BEST WESTERN PLUS KAMLOOPS HOTEL

660 Columbia Street West, Kamloops Phone: (250) 374-7878 Toll Free: 1-877-302-7878 www.bestwesternkamloops.com Kamloops Award Winning Eco-Friendly Hotel! Centrally located. Indoor saltwater pool and hot tub, fitness center, free breakfast, and Fibre Wi-Fi network.

KLIPPERS GUEST SUITES

2229 Ferko Road, Cawston Phone: (604) 316-3863 www.klippersorganics.com Nestled in the heart of the Similkameen Valley’s wine region, Klippers Organic Acres offers spacious & luxurious accommodations for guests to enjoy a down-to-earth stay.

CASA DEL MILA ORO RESORT

5401 Lakeshore Drive, Osoyoos Phone: (250) 495-2373 www.casadelmilaororesort.com orparentals@gmail.com Luxury lakefront resort featuring 2 bedroom condos and 3 bedroom townhouses with patios or balconies and private bbqs. Pool, hot tub, private beach, boat moorage, conference room and free WIFI.

HOLIDAY PARK RV & CONDO RESORT

415 Commonwealth Road, Kelowna BC Phone: (250) 766-4255 holiday@sweetlife.com www.sweetlife.com Enjoy a relaxing holiday or weekend getaway in a luxury condo or full-service RV site. Seasonal specials and numerous amenities in this destination resort, just minutes from Kelowna International Airport!

WHERE TO STAY DIRECTORY

BEACHSIDE MOTEL • Penticton • Page 7, 30 BEST WESTERN PLUS KAMLOOPS HOTEL • Kamloops • Page 6, 51 CASA DEL MILA ORO RESORT • Osoyoos • Page 6, 14 THE GUEST HOUSE AT BURROWING OWL ESTATE WINERY • Oliver • Page 14, 15 HOLIDAY PARK RV & CONDO RESORT • Kelowna • Page 6, 41 HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL • Penticton • Page 30 KLIPPERS GUEST SUITES • Cawston • Page 6, 18, 19, 21 SANDY BEACH LODGE & RESORT • Naramata • Page 5, 30 SOMA CRAFT CIDERY • Kelowna • Page 41 SPIRIT RIDGE RESORT • Osoyoos • Page 8, 14 SUNNY BEACH MOTEL • Penticton • Page 7, 30 WATERFRONT INN • Penticton • Page 7, 30 WESBERT WINERY • Penticton • Page 22, 30

ROW FOURTEEN

725 MacKenzie Road, Cawston Phone: (250) 499-0758 www.rowfourteen.ca Cuisine from the earth, the way nature intended. Row Fourteen is a farmto-table restaurant located in the Similkameen Valley focused on creating innovative & meaningful connections between the kitchen, the people, and the land.

WHERE TO EAT DIRECTORY

THE BEAR, THE FISH, THE ROOT AND THE BERRY • Osoyoos • Page 8, 14 THE GRILL AT BLACK MOUNTAIN • Kelowna • Page 41, 42 HOME BLOCK AT CEDARCREEK ESTATE WINERY • Kelowna • Page 39, 41 KLIPPERS MARKETPLACE AND CAFÉ • Cawston • Page 18, 19, 21 MASALA BISTRO PATIO at Kismet Estate Winery • Oliver • Page 14 THE PATIO RESTAURANT at Lake Breeze Vineyards • Naramata • Page 29, 30 THE RESTAURANT AT POPLAR GROVE • Penticton • Page 23, 30 ROW FOURTEEN • Cawston • Page 6, 18, 19, 21 SOMA CRAFT CIDERY • Kelowna • Page 41 SONETTO ITALIAN RESTAURANT at Play Estate Winery • Penticton • Page 26, 27, 30 THE SONORA ROOM RESTAURANT at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery • Oliver • Page 14, 15 SUMMERHILL ORGANIC BISTRO @ Summerhill Pyramid Winery • Kelowna • Page 39, 41 TERRACE RESTAURANT at Mission Hill Family Estate • Kelowna • Page 2, 41