Vitis • Issue 2 • Fall/Winter 2018

With wines starting at only $5, a view of the seawall, and great service, our Tappy Hour is the place to be.

We serve Tappy Hour every day from 3:00 to 5:00 and 10:00 to close. On Monday and Tuseday nights, we keep the fun going all night with Tappy Hour from 3:00 to close.

Join us for live jazz every Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00, and let us satisfy your thirst for rhythm.

With over 200 wines available by the glass, our award winning wine list, warm ambiance and friendly service turn every meal into a special occasion. Come celebrate with us today. 1177

Sma pieces coming together to create a work of art.

100% Naramata Bench

“Since 2006, our agship red wine Mosaic—a blend of the traditional bordeaux varietals—has been sourced exclusively from prime vineyards along the Naramata Bench.

Vineyard skill, careful barrel selection and cellar cra smanship come together to realize a wine of great depth and nesse.”

—Kathy Malone | winemaker

08 – SIPS & NIBBLES News and trends from the world of Canadian wine

12 – WINE LIFE

Reporting from the front lines of Canada’s biggest wine competition by Treve Ring

14 – OENOPHILE

Wine clubs: Membership really is a privilege by Charlene Rooke

16 – B.C. WINE COUNTRY

Follow the country roads to Vancouver Island’s welcoming wineries by Cinda

Chavich

18 – IN THE VINEYARD

How BC’s high-altitude wines are taking it to the next level by Tim

Pawsey

22 – WINE BY DESIGN

The architectural grace of B.C.’s most beautiful new winery by Joanne Sasvari

28 – B.C.’S WOMEN OF WINE

Meet some of the women changing how B.C. wine is made by Daenna Van Mulligen

32 – WORLD WINE

Fall’s cooler weather demands the big, bold reds of Valpolicella by Daenna Van Mulligen

36 – FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A tasteful tour through Kelowna’s newest eateries by Joanne

Sasvari

40 – LISTINGS

Your guide to B.C.’s wineries

54 – WINE GEEK

Fortify yourself for fall with these lush wines by Laura Starr

PUBLISHER: Gail Nugent • gnugent@glaciermedia.ca

EDITOR:

Joanne Sasvari • jsasvari@glaciermedia.ca

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

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR: Kelsey Klassen

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Dan Toulgoet (cover) Vitis.ca @VitisMag • @VitisMag

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

© Vitis 2018

This issue is complimentary.

Nic Lehoux photo

Blue Grouse Estate Winery photo

VOTED “BEST RED WINE” & “BEST TASTING ROOM”

2017 Best of BC Wine Country Awards

OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP

Our roots run deep with half century old vines, rooted in the Golden Mile Bench’s exceptional terroir. is year we’re celebrating 50 years of our historic vineyard. Join us in the celebration!

Contributors

JOANNE SASVARI is editor of Vitis and The Alchemist magazines. She also writes about food and drink for WestJet and Vancouver Sun, and is author of the Wickaninnish and Vancouver Eats cookbooks.

CINDA CHAVICH is a Victoria-based food and wine journalist. She covers food and drink for YAM, EAT and TasteReport.com, has written for The Globe and Mail, WestJet and Maclean’s, and is author of The Waste Not, Want Not Cookbook.

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.

TREVE RING is a wine writer, judge, speaker and perpetual traveller. A certified sommelier, WSET diploma holder, French wine scholar and Sherry instructor, she is based on Vancouver Island, but is most often found on a plane or in a vineyard.

CHARLENE ROOKE writes about and drinks wine in Vancouver while working toward WSET Level 3 certification. Her family has Okanagan roots as former Kelowna orchardists, and she loves dry, aromatic white wines.

LAURA STARR is a freelance writer, sommelier and educator, with 20 years under her belt in the hospitality industry. She is also the Wine Editor of VITA Magazine, and sits on the board of directors for the BCHF.

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.

The smoke has cleared, harvest has begun and fall is right around the corner.

This is the season for bold wines and good stories, and we have plenty of both in our second issue of Vitis, the magazine of B.C. wine culture.

In this issue, we take a look at some of the province’s standout winery architecture, starting with the stunning new Tom Kundig-designed Martin’s Lane Winery (page 22).

We follow writer Cinda Chavich along the winding roads to Vancouver Island’s charming wineries (page 16), join Daenna Van Mulligen in a taste of Valpolicella’s big reds (page 32) and bring our appetite on a tour of Kelowna’s newest restaurants (page 36).

Plus: Treve Ring gives us a sneak peek of what it’s like to judge Canada’s biggest wine competition (page 12), while Charlene Rooke explains why you really should join a wine club (page 14) and Tim Pawsey explores the heights of B.C.’s loftiest vineyards (page 18).

Turns out fall just may be our favourite season of all.

—Joanne Sasvari, editor

Dan Toulgoet photo

1342

Sips & Nibbles

Vitis Staff

B.C. B URSTING WITH NEW WINE REGIONS

It’s time to draw a new map for British Columbia’s wine country.

This summer, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture approved four new wine regions—properly known as geographic indications—as well as B.C.’s second sub-GI. The ministry formally recognized the Thompson Valley, Shuswap, Lillooet and the Kootenays as new geographic indications under the Wines of Marked Quality Regulation.

It also named Okanagan Falls as the province’s second sub-appellation, following Oliver’s Golden Mile Bench in 2015.

OK Falls winds north along the east bench of Skaha Lake, across the water to Kaleden and south over the rolling hills above Vaseux Lake. It includes such prestigious wineries as Painted Rock, Liquidity Wines, Blue Mountain, Meyer Family and Syncromesh and comprises some 150 hectares of vineyards producing more than 1,100 tonnes of grapes annually.

These are the first major changes to B.C.’s wine regions

since 1990, when Vintner’s Quality Assurance rules delineated the Fraser Valley, Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands. Why does this matter? Well, for one thing, it provides more land for winemakers, which means more wine for us to drink. But it also makes B.C. a more serious player in the world of wine, with greater competition, better focus and a more astute understanding of what makes each region’s wines distinctive.

Along with these approvals, Wines of Marked Quality Regulation now prohibits the use of unregulated geographical locations on B.C. Wine Authority members’ wine labels.

Other changes will be coming soon, all designed to enforce quality of the end product. And we can expect to see more sub-GIs as well. Already, the Naramata Bench has put a proposal before the B.C. Wine Authority, which may be decided this fall.

This is good news for winemakers; even better news for wine consumers.

Wines is one of the wineries in B.C.’s newest sub-GI, Okanagan Falls. Liquidity Wines photo

MASTER OF HER C RAFT

In August, Canada added another Master of Wine to the join the likes of B.C.’s Rhys Pender and Barbara Philip: Elsa Macdonald, the Ontario-based director of wine education at Arterra Wines Canada and member of the national board of directors for the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.

Macdonald is one of 10 new MWs certified this year by the Institute of Masters of Wine, bringing the global total to 380 talented palates based in 30 countries.

The 2018 additions are: Almudena Alberca MW (Spain), Barbara Drew MW (UK), Olga Karapanou Crawford MW (USA), Regine Lee MW (UK), Elsa Macdonald (Canada), Thomas Parker MW (UK), Lindsay Pomeroy MW (USA), Nicolas Quillé MW (USA), Job de Swart MW (Netherlands) and Tim Triptree MW (UK).

Becoming a Master of Wine involves understanding all aspects of wine and passing one of the most rigorous examinations in any field. It comprises intensive theory and practical examinations, as well as the submission of a final research paper. For more info, visit mastersofwine.org

BEAUTIFULLY B IODYNAMIC AT SUMMERHILL

Three decades ago, Kelowna’s Summerhill Pyramid Winery was B.C.’s first to go organic. Now it’s become the first B.C. winery to go officially biodynamic with the release of its initial Demeter-certified bottlings, the 2017 Summerhill Vineyard Riesling and Grüner Veltliner.

Demeter International, which was established in 1928, is the world’s largest certification organization for biodynamic agriculture. Certification is a difficult achievement, and one that must be renewed annually.

Biodynamic is similar to organic farming in that it rejects the use of synthetic chemicals, but it goes a whole lot further. It means treating the whole farm as a living organism through crop rotation, composting, interplanting, seed saving and using animals to assist with composting and pest control. It also takes into account influences of the moon and other planets.

The result is a healthy soil, healthy plants and vibrant, flavourful wines. As Summerhill’s CEO, Ezra Cipes, writes on the winery website, “When we make wine biodynamically it is proof of the vitality of our vineyard.”

Photo courtesy of Elsa Macdonald

Gabe Cipes leads the biodynamic initiative at Summerhill Pyramid Winery, the first in B.C. to achieve Demeter certification. Tarynn Liv Parker photo

T ANGLED IN TRADE WARS

Wine has such a romantic image, it’s sometimes easy to forget that it’s also a business, and a serious one at that. Not in 2018, though.

This year, two major free-trade issue have had enormous potential to affect—for good or ill—what we drink and how much we pay for it.

First, there was the interprovincial trade case known as Comeau. In October 2012, a New Brunswick man named Gerard Comeau attempted to transport a few cases of beer across the border from Quebec, in contravention of the New Brunswick Liquor Control Act. After police nabbed him (and his beer), the New Brunswick Provincial Court determined that the law was a trade barrier violating section 121 of the Constitution Act of 1867, sending the case to the Supreme Court of Canada. Much to the disappointment of consumers, winemakers and merchants alike, on April 19 the Supreme Court decided against Comeau, determining that that Section 121 does not impose absolute free trade across Canada. In other words, it slammed the door on direct-to-consumer purchases of wine across Canada, making it easier to buy a Pinot Noir from, say, Tasmania than one from Prince Edward County.

“Every wine-producing nation in the world has direct sales within its own country,” said a disappointed Tony Stewart, proprietor & CEO of Quails’ Gate Winery. “Canada needs to correct this so that we can start to create a level playing field with the rest of the world.”

And then there’s NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has swept up dairy, softwood lumber, car manufacturing and wine in its uneasy wake. As the fractious negotiations continue, wine is still at issue.

Earlier this year, the U.S. requested a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel following a complaint lodged in September 2017. It is over what it perceives as B.C.’s unfair rules regarding wine sales in the province’s grocery stores, which only permit 100 per cent B.C. wine on shelves.

“While not surprised given the current stall in NAFTA negotiations and the U.S.’s earlier WTO complaint against B.C. practices, we remain puzzled how they have been harmed as the U.S. has a wine trade surplus of $450.6 million,” said Miles Prodan, president and CEO of the BC Wine Institute. “Still, we need to take their concerns seriously and we have been proactive in working with all levels of government to address the concerns of this, and other trade issues.”

Discussions continue. Meanwhile, it’s enough to drive a wine lover to drink.

C ANADA AND U .S. WINE B Y THE NUM B ER S

According to the BCWI, wine produced in Canada represents 32 per cent of total sales domestically while imported wine owns 68 per cent of the market. Canada is the U.S.’s second largest wine export market by value, after the European Union.

Since the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA) was signed in 1988:

• U.S. wine import value to Canada has tripled to 21.4% of total imports.

• U.S. wine sales market share in Canada have doubled to 14.2% (VQA wine is 10%).

• U.S. wine brand listings in Canada have experienced double digit growth over the past 30 years.

• U.S. wines have experienced 13% average annual wine sales value growth in Canada, every year for the past 30 years.

• U.S. bottled wine imports have experienced 10% average annual wine sales value growth in Canada, every year for the past 30 years since the signing of the CUSFTA

• In B.C., U.S. bottled wine imports rank #1 in value at $60 million, and #1 in volume at 7.5 million litres.

Every wine-producing nation in the world has direct sales within its own country. Canada needs to correct this so that we can start to create a level playing eld with the rest of the world.

—Tony Stewart

C ALENDAR

irsty? Add these wine-soaked events to your calendar.

O KANAGAN F ALL W INE FES TIVAL

Sept. 27 to Oct. 7

The biggest party in the valley features more than 100 events at wineries and restaurants, as well as signature events including the WestJet Wine Tasting, the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards and Cropped, which boasts more than 250 local wines, food and live music. thewinefestivals.com

EAT ! VANCOUVER F OOD + C OOKING FES TIVAL

Nov. 5 to 10

The 16th annual foodie fest features a series of collaboration dinners between local and celebrated North American chefs, as well as signature events such as the EAT! Harvest Party, which will feature the wines of Washington and Oregon states. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to sample seldom-seen vintages from our neighbours to the south. eat-vancouver.com

C ORNUCOPIA

Nov. 8 to 18

Head to the hills for 10 days of wine, spirits, beer, food and fresh mountain air at Whistler’s annual celebration of food and drink. Indulge in winemaker’s dinners, the Crush and Poured grand tastings, exceptional food and drink seminars, and so much more. whistlercornucopia.com

D INE O UT VANCOUVER FES TIVAL

Jan. 18 to Feb. 3, 2019

Start the New Year right with a full 17 days of delicious dining. Aside from dozens (and dozens) of restaurants offering bargain prix-fixe menus, the fest features BC VQA wine pairings and brunches, as well as food tours, cocktail masterclasses and global guest-chef collaborations. dineoutvancouver.com

VANCOUVER I NTERNATIONAL W INE FES TIVAL

Feb. 23 to March 3, 2019

Clear your calendar for North America’s greatest wine fest. California is the theme region for the 41st annual shindig, which features an anticipated 50 events at 25 venues, as well as the not-to-be-missed international tastings, where more than 700 wines will be poured. vanwinefest.ca

Of black teeth and thrilling whites

R

EPORTING F ROM BEHIND THE SCENES AS A WINE JUDGE AT THE NATIONALS

Treve Ring Jason Dziver

How do you prepare for a week judging the 2018 National Wine Awards of Canada?

The country’s largest competition for 100 per cent Canadian-grown wine took place in Penticton mid-July. This year’s NWACs, the largest to date, attracted over 1,850 wines from 257 wineries, and from sea (Vancouver Island) to shining sea (Nova Scotia). It also went through 7,400 bottles, five days, 22 judges, countless Zwilling glasses washed (only a few broken) and an infinite number of sniffs, sips and spits.

For me, as panel chair, the week also added up to two tubes of Sensodyne toothpaste, upwards of 40 shots of espresso, thousands of words logged as tasting notes and one unconfirmed sighting of Ogopogo.

Not everyone who works in wine makes for a good wine judge. Years of dedicated tasting, evaluating, listening, travelling and learning from folks way smarter than you will get you started—plus you need a strong bent for detail, stamina, focus, humility, critical thinking and confidence to treat the wines and the process respectfully and judiciously.

And when all is said and done and poured, you really, really have to be able to taste.

Here are selected crib notes of what it was like to sit in a room for a week of summer to blind taste hundreds of wines during the day, before going out in the evening to taste dozens more with winemakers. And yes, it’s one of my favourite weeks of the year.

The 2018 National Wine Awards of Canada was the biggest ever—with 7,400 bottles from 257 wineries to taste through.

D AY 1

8:30 a.m. Pep talk from head judge Anthony Gismondi. Everyone’s teeth look shiny.

8:45 a.m. First flight. Big red blends. Teeth black already.

11 a.m. Chardonnay. One of the most coveted of flights, and this flight earns some 90-plus points from my panel. Canuck pride.

3:15 p.m. Sparkling rosé. Notes include “sweeter, baby barf, sharp fruit, some candied notes.”

D AY 2

9:25 a.m. Aromatic white blends. Sigh—making me feel as soggy and flabby as many of these sweetish blends. Espresso!

12:30 p.m. #GoGamayGo. Happy for fresh, bright and graceful. Angry for overoaking and broody.

3:10 p.m. Cabernet Franc. Always shows well, and I score gold on one beauty: “medicinal cherry, graphite, earthy, cassis, beauty green / grippy texture, freshness.”

D AY 3

8:45 a.m. Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon flight. Takes a couple slurps to disrobe the toothpaste. Mouth happy to wake up to citrus acidity. Impressive.

1:15 p.m. Red blends. Struggle to get through this flight. Look at the biodynamic calendar. Root Day. Yup.

4:25 p.m. Cabernet Sauvignon. “… and with rubber. DNPIM.” The dreaded acronym for Do Not Put In Mouth.

D AY 4: FINALS BEGIN

10:20 a.m. Merlot. Wines deemed “hard & charmless” by one of my panel mates. Hard to disagree. Why, Canada?

12:45 p.m. Fruit wines. WOW so much sugar. Ouch ouch ouch. Mental note to schedule dentist.

3:30 p.m. Rosé. All colours of the rainbow and grapes in the kingdom here. Best examples are dry or nearly so, with pure fruit and fresh acidity.

D AY 5

9:15 a.m. Riesling. Four wines rated in the 90s. BAM.

10:30 a.m. Chardonnay. Killer good wines here. Definitely Canada’s top grape. Top marks to a mineral, herbal, flinty, confident wine with exceptional length and welcome saltiness.

11:45 a.m. Skin contact wines. First-time category this year, and a sign of how far our industry has come. Some very good examples, some shoddy—we’ve work to do. When all was said and done, 18 platinum medals were awarded, comprising less than one per cent of all wines entered. No surprise to me, Chardonnay led the pack, with six of the coveted top spots. Somewhat surprising is that we also had a Semillon, Albariño and Roussanne grab top marks, a strong showing for relatively newer grapes planted. I’m thrilled to track Canadian wine’s trajectory over the past 20 years. The future is shining. View results of the 2018 National Wine Awards of Canada at www.winealign.com/awards.

Chardonnay. Killer good wines here. De nitely Canada’s top grape. Top marks to a mineral, herbal, inty, con dent wine with exceptional length and welcome saltiness.

Panel chair Treve Ring samples rosés, seeking pure fruit and fresh acidity in each glass.

Go clubbing

EVER Y W INER Y SEEMS TO HA VE ITS OWN CLUB : WH Y SHOULD YOU BECOME A MEMBER ?

Charlene Rooke

You know that feeling when you rush to the wine store for that must-have bottle of B.C. patio Riesling, steak-dinner red or celebration-ready bubbly and find it’s sold out… everywhere? That’s when it pays to get on the inside track by joining your favourite winery’s wine club. You’ll find out about new releases first, have wines delivered directly to you and get a load of other perks that range from recipes, pairings and winemaker’s notes to accessing member-only online communities. A membership—usually no more than the cost of the wine—also makes a great gift for oenophile pals.

The traditional club model requires you to pre-purchase a set amount annually of wine, which might be delivered in four- to 12-bottle batches curated by the winemaker, one to four times a year. You can tailor your preferences to some extent: the choice of white, red, mixed and premium shipments is common, for instance. Meyer Family Vineyard offers seven assortments to its members, and Blue Grouse calls its three tiers “Grouchy, Grouchier and Grouchiest.” The Synchromesh wine-club website just states, “If there is something that you really don’t want, we can make some adjustments.”

Other clubs allow members to curate their own cases, such as Blue Mountain, Okanagan Crush Pad and Encore Vineyard wineries. Liquidity’s Equity Tasting Club even ships 200-millilitre mini bottles for tasting before making selections! Some, like Stag’s Hollow, have club-only bottlings. Others, such as Culmina, may include large-format and magnum bottles.

Regardless of the model, the club deal is usually sweetened with discounts on the wine and shipping for wine club orders and other purchases.

For fans of highly sought-after brands that quickly sell out at the winery and at retail, club membership can be the best way to secure your favourite wines. Bella Wines sends its small-batch bubbles to club members at various membership tiers that are capped at just 25 to 100 members (with wait lists for some). At Mission Hill, the top tiers of its wine club get bottles of cellar-bait Oculus—not to mention the best lakeside tables at its Terrace restaurant, where a complimentary appetizer and glass of wine await members.

Winery restaurant discounts, front-of-the-line event access and VIP tastings are other common perks that pay off if you visit wine country often, or are lucky enough to live there part or full time. The ultimate locals-only perk comes via joining Red Rooster’s Adopt a Row club: twice a year you actually learn hands-on viticulture at the winery, and you get a mixed case of wine—all for $325.

For non-residents, clubs like Orofino’s offer members discounts to its guest suites. Black Hills Estates offers hotel deals with its partners in Osooyos. Tantalus has a Pioneer Club Concierge that will recommend Kelowna accommodation, dining and attraction options. Laughing Stock satisfies its Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton and Calgary club members with local tasting events in their cities.

For commitment-phobic types, consider that for many top-notch B.C. wineries, all you have to do is sign up for a free e-newsletter to stay on top of what’s new and when to order. If you trust your wine rack to your local store, many B.C. wine retailers are getting in on the action, with clubs—and exclusive releases and perks—of their own.

There’s never been a better time to join the club.

“

For fans of highly sought-a er brands that quickly sell out at the winery and at retail, club membership can be the best way to secure your favourite wines.

The delicious charm of the islands

FAMIL Y- RUN , HY PER - LOCAL AND UTTERL Y BEAUTI F UL ,

PRO V INCE ’S ISLAND WINERIES ARE WAITING TO BE EX PLORED

Cinda Chavich

If the Okanagan Valley is Canada’s Napa North, Vancouver Island’s wine region is our little slice of Sonoma.

Like that rural corner of California wine country, the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands wine regions invite exploration, weekend drives down pretty back roads to small, family-run wineries, their vineyards nestled amidst bucolic farmland and carved into forested slopes with ocean views.

Summers are short and dry, with hot days tempered by cooling breezes off the surrounding sea.

Wedged between the central highlands and the protected waters of the Strait of Georgia, the Cowichan Valley has the hottest microclimate on Vancouver Island

and is home to more than a dozen wineries. Just across the Saanich Inlet, more small vineyards are popping up among the corn and blueberry farms, while enterprising vintners tend grapes in the Gulf Islands, from Pender and Salt Spring to Mayne.

This tiny wine region—with only about five per cent of the total B.C. acreage—began with early experimental plots of German varietals, plantings of unusual vinifera and hybrid grapes such as Ortega, Bacchus, Léon Millot, Petit Milo and Marechal Foch.

Today, there’s a second wave of growth, as new investors rebuild wineries and replant vineyards, and creative young winemakers push limits with organic viticulture and wild fermentation.

THE

Unsworth Vineyards pioneered the Charme De L’Ile bubble; now the winery helps others produce their own sparklers. Sean Fenzl photo

A unique coastal style is emerging: fresh whites and beautiful bubbles, delicate island rosés, eclectic blends and some impressive Pinot Gris and Pinot Noirs.

Vancouver Island Pinot Gris broke through this year at the 2018 WineAlign national wine awards, with Alderlea Vineyards, Unsworth Vineyards and newcomer Rathjen Cellars winning silver medals, and Pender Island’s Sea Star Vineyards taking home bronze. Sea Star and Salt Spring Vineyards also won gold medals at the competition for their Pinot Noir-based rosé wines.

But Ortega—a German cross of Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe—is the signature island varietal, producing soft whites with sweet floral and peach aromas.

Island terroir also yields fruit with the kind of searing acidity that makes great sparkling wines. Several wineries make traditional “champagne method” bubblies, such as the Venturi-Schulze Brut Naturel or the hand-riddled Paula Sparkling from Blue Grouse Estate Vineyards.

Charme De L’Ile is another unique island creation. Its name is registered by growers to designate estate-grown island Prosecco-style wines, made using the charmat method.

Unsworth’s award-winning Charme De L’Ile was the original, a barely-blush sparkler made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Sauvignette. With the only pres-

surized fermentation tank and bottling line on the island, Unsworth also bottles bubbly for Averill Creek Vineyard, Enrico Winery and Salt Spring Island Vineyards.

Island reds are generally lighter and winemakers save their best grapes for reserve wines. Somenos Pinot Noir from Averill Creek, Emandare Pinot Noir or Blue Grouse Estate Pinot Noir are excellent examples. Many also turn to the low-tannin, earthy French hybrid Marechal Foch for reds with extra colour and body.

But production remains small, so you’ll need to visit the wineries to taste many of these unique wines. Happily, all are within easy driving distance of Victoria.

In the Cowichan Valley, enjoy the impressive west coast architecture at the new winery at Blue Grouse or stay in their Grouse House guesthouse in the vineyard. Visit the new tasting room at Unsworth and dine in the historic farmhouse restaurant. Don’t miss Averill Creek Vineyard, the tiered, gravity-fed winery set high on a stunning slope, and Venturi-Schulze, where you can also taste their traditionally made balsamic vinegar. Emandare and Alderlea vineyards both have innovative “next-gen” owners and, in Saanich, deVine Vineyards has craft spirits on the tasting menu, too.

The island wine region is small, hyper-local and evolving quickly—and all just a lovely afternoon drive away.

The region invites exploration, weekend drives down pretty back roads to small, family-run wineries, their vineyards nestled amidst bucolic farmland and carved into forested slopes with ocean views.

Blue Grouse Estate Vineyards is eco-friendly by design. Derek Ford photo

Wines with a view across the Saanich Peninsula at deVine Vineyards. deVine Vineyards photo

Taking it to the limit

Tim Pawsey

Things are on the up and up in the Okanagan Valley. Literally.

It’s no secret that due to any number of factors— from climate change to spiralling land costs—wineries around the world are planting vineyards higher than ever before. Argentina in particular has enjoyed success from vineyards as high as 2,500 metres in elevation. Its MAS program even puts the elevation right on the label in “Metres Above Sea Level.”

In borderline ripening Canada, such oenological dalliances would once have been unthinkable—at least until a few years ago. Even in neophyte B.C., most wine growers understood it wasn’t a good idea to plant on the valley floor, the low levels to which vine-killing frosts are drawn, but higher sites were considered too cold and short-seasoned. Hence B.C.’s modern industry has been built on the benches, throughout the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys.

At elevations up to 680 metres, Haywire winery’s Garnet Valley Ranch vineyard is among the highest in B.C. Photo courtesy of Haywire

However, there were exceptions. Storied SYL Ranch (formerly Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards and LeCompte) owes its existence to an eccentric British army major who figured planting hybrid grapes at 600 metres would be just fine. As it turns out, he was right. When pioneering Harry McWatters purchased the property, he planted Gewürztraminer, among other grapes. Those vineyards have produced some pretty good wines and plans are afoot to develop them further.

When in 2011 Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie unveiled Haywire and Okanagan Crush Pad, they introduced consulting oenologist Alberto Antonini, who outlined the new winery’s philosophy of minimal intervention, including adopting concrete over oak, and why that would happen. (Also present was the first concrete egg in Western Canada.) Missing was Antonini’s business partner, soil specialist Pedro Parra, who was likely busy digging his celebrated soil pits elsewhere. As they have others globally, Antonini and Parra instilled in the winery the need to above all respect the soils and make wines that reflect the terroir. It also inspired them to push their grape-growing boundaries.

Says Coletta: “Around the world, growers are looking at the hills and mountains as the future place for ul-

tra-premium wine. The search for land where we could employ ‘extreme viticulture’ [a phrase coined by Parra] resulted in our purchase of 320 acres of raw land, Garnet Valley Ranch, in 2012. Today, vineyards sit between 600 and 680 metres above sea level in several blocks.

“At this altitude,” she adds, “the soils are more interesting, the season is shorter and more intense and the temperatures cooler. We see strong phenolic ripeness at lower sugar levels and, in the resulting finished wines, lower alcohol levels, better acidity and balance.”

It’s also a spectacular setting, one of the highest plantings to date in the valley. And the winery’s organic Garnet Valley Pinot Noir is already turning heads.

After Don Triggs retired from his successful career at Vincor, and the Triggs family moved west from Niagara, they also went looking for sites that would yield more complex wines. While they purchased virgin property on which to establish Culmina Family Estate, south of Oliver, they decided to add a much higher site, Margaret’s Bench, at 595 metres.

“Our motivations were centred around finding an ideal for growing top-quality cool- climate white varieties (Chardonnay, Riesling and Grüner Veltliner),” says Sara Triggs.

“

At this altitude, the soils are more interesting, the season is shorter and more intense and the temperatures cooler.

Don Triggs of Culmina Family Estate was searching for a site that would provide more complexity when he discovered the 595-metre-high Margaret’s Bench vineyard near Oliver. Tim Pawsey photo

“We had two choices: to go further north, or further ‘up.’ We chose the latter, following extensive terroir study on the site which validated its suitability for the varieties that we were hoping to plant.”

Indeed, their planting of Grüner Veltliner is already showing great promise, as well as some similarities to Austrian “terrassen” wines.

When Terry and Andrew Meyer Stone were seeking a property, they were drawn to Osoyoos, “because it had the most frost-free days,” says Andrew. Little did they expect to buy a neglected vineyard at 520 metres, halfway up the corkscrew road that climbs formidable Anarchist Mountain just east of town. The couple admit they were seduced by the panoramic views. While at first concerned by the elevation, in talking to others they became convinced that Anarchist Vineyard was not only feasible but desirable.

“Taking risks is all part of the program. Plus I wanted to learn,” says Andrew. “I wanted to push the envelope— and to make wine that I liked... to be different and appeal to a niche market.”

The bottom line?

“You get excellence from vines when they’re on the margins.”

P EAK VINEYARD

Aiming for altitude may be new in B.C., but several wine regions around the world have already scaled the lofty heights. Here are some of the world’s highest vineyards: Quebrada de Humahuaca GI, Argentina: elevation 3,329 metres above sea level

Hess Family Estates Altura Maxima, Salta, Argentina: 3,111 m

Ao Yun, Meili Snow Mountain, China: 2,600 m

Fox Fire Farms, Ignacio, Colorado: 1,975 m

Bodega Frontos, Tenerife, Canary Islands: 1,700 m IN B.C.:

Larch Hills Winery, Salmon Arm: 700 m

Haywire, Garnet Valley, Summerland: 680 m

See Ya Later Ranch, Okanagan Falls, B.C.: 610 m

Culmina Family Estate’s Margaret’s Bench, Oliver: 595 m

Anarchist Vineyard, Anarchist Mountain, Osoyoos: 520 m

“ You get excellence from vines when they’re on the margins.

Culmina’s Margaret’s Bench not only grows wines of subtle complexity, it also offer s spectacular views of the valley. Tim Pawsey photo

Wine by design

There is no tasting room sign. No parking area for tour buses. And, apparently, no entrance. But just as we’re almost ready to give up, a towering slab of blackened steel swings slowly, silently open.

And with that, we’ve entered Martin’s Lane Winery.

Designed by Seattle-based architect Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig, this is quite possibly the most beautiful winery in British Columbia. Certainly, it’s the most technologically advanced, and the only one that’s home to a giant Douglas Coupland-designed bronze sculpture of Vincent van Gogh’s head.

“It’s the most ambitious Pinot Noir winery in the world,” says Martin’s Lane winemaker Shane Munn. “He [owner Anthony von Mandl] has given me everything I need to make great wine.”

B.C., it turns out, makes not just beautiful wine, but beautiful wineries.

M ARTIN ’S LANE MAR KS THE NE XT EV OLUTION IN B.C. WINER Y ARCHITECTURE

Joanne Sasvari

The spiral staircase at Martin’s Lane Winery follows the Fibonacci sequence to mimic vine growth. Nic Lehoux photo for Martin’s Lane Winery

A VISION ON A HILL

Back when B.C.’s wine industry emerged in the 1980s and ’90s, tasting room designs leaned toward the rustic, to alpine chalets and Tuscan farmhouses and the occasional Quonset hut with a plywood counter. Then, in 1996, inspired by Robert Mondavi’s Napa Valley winery, Anthony von Mandl hired the then relatively little-known Kundig to design Mission Hill Family Estate in West Kelowna, and nothing would be the same again.

Kundig elegantly combined contemporary simplicity with traditional elements such as the 85-foot-high bell tower and Parthenon-like outdoor restaurant, all clad in boardformed concrete that gleams in the Okanagan sun. Mission Hill is still considered a landmark of winery design. In August, it was the only Canadian winery named to Architectural Digest magazine’s roundup of the world’s 19 most beautiful wineries, along with such dramatic structures as the fantastical Frank Gehry-designed Marqués de Riscal in Spain.

It also set a new standard for other B.C. wineries. Gradually, the simple huts and quaint farmhouses gave way to sleek contemporary designs, to the LEED-certified minimalism of Tantalus, the dark drama of 50th Parallel Estate and the West Coast modernism of Black Hills or Fort Berens.

Meanwhile, Kundig has become one of the most famous architects in the world. “He’s alongside Frank Gehry as the greatest contemporary architect in North America,” Munn says.

In an expression of elegant symmetry, two decades later von Mandl invited him back to the Okanagan to take on Martin’s Lane.

He’s alongside Frank Gehry as the greatest contemporary architect in North America.

The arch at the entrance to Mission Hill Family Estate in West Kelowna frames the winery’s signature bell tower. Mission Hill Family Estate photo

O F ITS PLA CE

“A lot of Tom’s work, under Anthony’s direction, is that this winery has a sense of place,” says Munn as we step through that big steel door. “This room here sums up Tom’s architecture. His work is very tactile and very textured.”

The building, which took two and a half years to complete, was designed to represent the environment of rocky, sun-baked hills surrounding it. It slopes dramatically down the hill above Cedar Creek, conceived as a fractured rectangle in glass, corrugated Corten steel and concrete.

Inside the entranceway, the walls are covered in the same board-formed concrete as Mission Hill. Ahead of us, a spiral staircase leads to a welcoming hospitality area, all warm woods and comfortable furnishings, designed by Antonio Puig of the Barcelona interior design firm GCA Arquitectos Asociados. “Antonio designed the hospitality area like it was the winemaker’s home,” Munn says.

Puig also created the sculptural steel entry door, which weighs more than 1,200 pounds, but can be opened gently with just two fingers. Its blackened steel pays poignant homage to the burnt trees that remain from the devastating 2003 forest fire that singed the edge of the property.

Nothing has been left to chance, from the white glass-topped tasting table that, at just the right angle, is revealed to be wine red, to the hand-blown glass light shades in the private dining room that are meant to resemble Riesling grapes.

“We’re trying to make this a pretty cool experience,” Munn says. Mission accomplished.

TOP: Martin’s Lane Winery is designed as a sloping rectangle that pays homage to its place in the natural environment. Nic Lehoux photo

BOTTOM: Tom Kundig is the architect of both Mission Hill Family Estate and Martin’s Lane Winery. Martin’s Lane Winery photo

W HERE FOR M M EETS FUN C TION

Of course, a winery can’t just be a cool experience. It also has to be a functional one.

It’s nice to have a beautiful tasting room, but a winery also needs a crush pad where the grapes are unloaded during harvest, room for fermentation tanks, storage area for barrels and space for a bottling line. At most wineries, these areas are utilitarian at best.

Not at Martin’s Lane.

Everything here is designed around the single-vineyard Riesling and Pinot Noir that are the only wines Martin’s Lane produces. “I choose to have a minimalist approach to winemaking,” Munn says. “Pinot, you talk to any winemaker that focuses on Pinot, it’s a very sensitive variety that doesn’t like being manipulated.”

The juice flows naturally down each level so the wine is “gently made by gravity.” And technology is put to good use. “Everything in here, whether it’s refrigeration or lighting, it’s connected by phone,” Munn explains. “It’s a very technology-driven winery that allows me to do nothing to the wines.”

Even the barrel room is work of art, each barrel lined up with a laser and spot-lit with a light fixture that has its own IP address. “Tom designed the barrel cellar so the barrels would be part of the architecture,” Munn says.

There’s no question that Martin’s Lane will be raising the bar for winery design in the Okanagan just as Mission Hill did before it.

But don’t expect to just drop by and have that big steel door swing open for you. Tastings are by appointment only and are always a bespoke experience. “We want the experience to be quite personal,” Munn says. “If we get three or four visitors in a day, that’s a big day for us.”

And that, too, is by design.

“

Everything in here, whether it’s refrigeration or lighting, it’s connected by phone.

It’s a very technology-driven winery that allows me to do nothing to the wines.

Even the technology-driven barrel room at Martin’s Lane Winery is designed as a work of art. Nic Lehoux photo

ROOMS W IT H A V IE W

TAKE A GLANCE AT J UST A F E W O F B.C.’ S MOST EYE- CATCHING WINERIES .

L IQUIDITY W INES, O KANAGAN FALLS

Liquidity Wines’ president Ian MacDonald is as well known for his love of art as for his love of wine. So it’s no surprise that he envisioned his winery as both a showcase for his art collection and as a work of art in itself. With a patio and infinity pool overlooking McIntyre Bluff, the tasting room and bistro are gleaming white and coolly modern. The concept was conceived and designed by MacDonald, realized by CeDeCe Design in Calgary and built by Ritchie Construction.

PAINTED ROC K E STATE W INERY, P ENTI C TON

Proprietor John Skinner admits that when he started Painted Rock, he was fully focused on the wines, not where they were sampled. Not any more. Architect Dominic Unsworth of Kaleden’s Fallowfield Design + Development designed the one-storey tasting room as an elegantly futuristic building overlooking Skaha Lake. Not only does it make the most of its spectacular view, but it is clad in shimmering Alucobond, an aluminum composite material that subtly reflects the natural environment.

Jon Adrian

photo

Jon Adrian photo

BLUE G ROUSE, D UN C AN

Long gone is the quaint alpine hut in the Cowichan Valley. In its place is a swooping wood, glass and steel structure that is both sustainable and beautiful. Designed by Joe Chauncey from boxwood creative, the building features a closed-loop water system, geothermal heating, rainwater capture and other eco-friendly features. The shape of the building itself is an homage to the blue grouse: the roofline is inspired by the curve of the bird’s neck, the tasting room ceiling by the swell of its belly, the entrance by the blue hues of its tail feathers.

V ANESSA V INEYARD, CAWSTON

Heading west from Osoyoos, it’s impossible not to notice the grandly brooding winery perched on a bluff just outside Cawston. Where most B.C. wineries lean to the bright and light, Vanessa Vineyards went as deep and dark as the inky reds it produces. The structure was designed by co-owner Suki Sekhon and general manager Sandeep Sangha, while Sara Patterson Design created the woodsy clublike interior.

Vanessa Vineyard photo

Derek Ford photo

B.C.’s women of wine

M EET SOME O F THE PRO V INCE ’S MOST DY NAMIC WINEMA K ERS

Daenna Van Mulligen

With so many outstanding female winemakers in British Columbia, we knew we had to reach out to a handful and ask what they love about their jobs. Here's what they had to say.

H EIDI NOBLE

P roprietor and W inemaker, Joie Farm

Atrained chef, Heidi Noble has worked in distinguished Canadian kitchens, but also holds a degree in philosophy and critical theory.

“The decision to become a winemaker was not a straight path,” Noble admits. “It was a culmination of a lifetime in the business of food and wine. My time at the Stratford Chefs School in the mid-’90s was geared for entrepreneurship: profoundly influencing my success as an independent and successful business owner today and I also had the opportunity to do my WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust).

“I love that wine is a natural product that can be consistent and proprietary, while remaining a vintage reflection; expressing a sense of place,” she says, adding, “JoieFarm wines can be counted on to be ripe, fruit-forward, juicy and clean—I work very hard at this.”

Daniel Seguin photo

S AND Y L EIER W inemaker, S andhill W ines

When Howard Soon retired in 2017, after 37 years as a winemaker for Andrew Peller Limited, Sandy Leier stepped in, skillfully filling his Sandhill shoes.

Leier explains how she became a winemaker: “I had a friend in university working at Sandhill with Howard. She used to bring wines and talk about how they were made. We were doing a chemistry degree and I realized there’s a lot of chemistry involved in making wine, as well as biology and microbiology—right up my alley,” she says. “I became intrigued, so my friend introduced me to Howard. She ended up going on maternity leave, so I got the job as the assistant. She never came back.

“Howard and the other winemakers taught me so much. Here I am today, still learning and loving the process!”

Leier concludes, “I love wine because I know how much personal touch and science goes into making it, and the realm of possibilities is endless.”

S ANDRA OLD F IELD

Co-founder,

Co-founder,

T inhorn Creek V ineyards

E lysian P rojects

Aftermore than 20 years at Tinhorn Creek’s helm, Sandra Oldfield, long one of the leading figures in B.C.’s wine community, is embarking on a new venture.

“I found winemaking after going through a difficult transition in my life—it was so exciting,” Oldfield notes. “I got my master’s degree in winemaking from University of California at Davis. I find myself, 24 years later, going through another difficult transition after the winery we built was sold last year.

“My husband and I have started a winery consulting company. Elysian Projects focuses on ways to help wineries realize their dreams. Along the way, I’ve discovered the place and the grapes take a back seat to the real stars: the people. I hope to teach that.

“Winemaking never ceases to surprise me,” she adds. “That sense of newness I found when I got into winemaking is as strong as ever. I see it from a much larger lens now. It’s not the person with the degree that makes the wine—it’s everyone involved, from vineyard to cellar, hospitality, sales and administration.”

“

Winemaking never ceases to surprise me. That sense of newness I found when I got into winemaking is as strong as ever.

SIP T IP: V anessa V ineyard Cabernet F ranc

SIP T IP: Sandhill Small Lots V iognier

Sandhill

Wines photo

M AR Y M cD ERMOTT

W inemaker, Township 7 V ineyards & W inery

Ontarionative Mary McDermott was making wine at Peller Estates before an opportunity arose at Township 7 in 2014.

“I was working in the hospitality industry and learning more about wine,” she says. “It made me feel passionate about the subject and I felt the need to learn about winemaking and viticulture. So, after taking my BSc in oenology and viticulture, I worked at places where I really respected the wines.”

She adds: “I love that wine, along with food, brings people together. As a winemaker, I love the process of making something from grapes that have been tended for years. Every vintage is different; life is never boring as a winemaker!”

SEV ERINE PINTE

Managing Partner, W inemaker and V iticulturist,

Born in France, Severine Pinte was introduced at an early age to good bottles from her family’s wine cellar; however, she didn’t consider winemaking until after high school.

“I got into Montpellier and specialized in agriculture,” says Pinte. “I chose winemaking because we learned the whole business: the genetics of plants, how to plant vines, make wine, and the business of it.”

In the late 1990s, Pinte married a Lower Mainlander. After a decade in France they were lured back to B.C. where she was introduced to the owners of Le Vieux Pin and LaStella Winery, Sean and Saeedeh Salem. “They liked me, and I liked them,” she explains.

“I love being a winemaker—you’re creating a piece of art,” Pinte says. “It’s very versatile: I get to be in the vineyard, in the barrel room and in the cellar, and involved in other aspects of the business.”

NI KK I CALLA WAY

W inemaker, L aughing S tock V ineyards

After a decade of winemaking in the Okanagan (notably at Mission Hill and then Quails’ Gate), Nikki Callaway landed at Laughing Stock Vineyards (LFNG) in 2018.

“Dedication, determination and passion led me to where I am,” Callaway says. “What better way can you combine an interest in science and agriculture, gastronomy, culture, travel, and memorable times with people? The opportunity at LFNG allows me to concentrate on small lot premium production, and the chance to explore the southern Okanagan vineyards.”

She adds, “I love being a winemaker because it is such an all-encompassing profession. There are so many parts to the job one can never be bored. Sometimes you’re dressed up at a fancy Michelin-star restaurant with VIPs, and others you are knee deep in skins, seeds and fruit flies!”

SIP T IP: Township 7 Seven Stars Cuvée

SIP T IP: Le V ieux Pin Syrah Cuvée V iolette

SIP T IP: Laughing Stock V ineyards Portfolio

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery photo

La Stella Winery photo

Laughing Stock Vineyards photo

ocal, sustainable cuisine and beautiful views in a unique, lakeside setting.

Awarded one of the Top 10 Small Wineries in Canada!

Weekday Lunch 11:30am // Weekday Afternoon Menu 2:30pm

Sunday à la Carte Brunch 11am // Dinner 5 pm // Closed Mondays 6664 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby

HARTHOUSERESTAURANT.COM

2582 Upper Bench Road, Keremeos 250-499-5595 • CorcelettesWine.ca

VISIT US: MAY-OCT DAILY 10:30-5:30/OFF SEASON BY APPT.

Discover organic wines that tell the story of our land.

Home of Haywire, Narrative & Free Form wines.

16576 Fosbery Road, Summerland, BC 250.494.4445 | okanagancrushpad.com Open year round; visit our website for seasonal hours.

Valpolicella: Valleys of red

T HE ITALIAN REGION IS HOME TO SOME O F THE WORLD ’S MOST EX CITING BIG REDS

In northwestern Italy, the Venetian winemaking region of Valpolicella rests within a zone surrounding Verona. Roughly 90 minutes’ drive inland from Venice, the splendid city of Verona is known as the city of love—in part because it’s the setting of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and in part because we love its luscious red wines.

The name Valpolicella means “valley of cellars,” a title suited to its lengthy winemaking history.

Despite its antiquity with regards to wine, Valpolicella’s popularity outside of its own borders did not transpire until recent decades, dating to the 1968 birth and designation of its Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC).

G EOGRAPHY

The 30,000-hectare protected geographical indication of Valpolicella is anchored to Lake Garda and Verona; it spreads eastward over the valleys and hillsides of the Venetian Prealps.

Generally, the soils here are calcareous (limestone and chalk), and vineyards are mostly planted on slopes, between 60 and 600 metres above sea level. Historically, as part of a biodiversity common on small family farms, vines were planted on hillside terraces alongside food crops.

ZONES

Within its boundaries are three macro-zones: Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Classico DOC and Valpantena DOC. The classic zone, or “Valpolicella Classico” DOC, is the heart of the region and includes the finger valleys of Negrar, Marano, Fumane and Sant’Ambrogio and San Pietro in Cariano.

The wines can be more easily separated into four styles and classifications: Valpolicella DOC,

Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, and the higher designations of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG.

S TYLES

Four types of red wines are made in the DOC of Valpolicella.

The first, dating back to Roman times, are the syrupy and fulsome Recioto wines that were once the darlings of the region. Deeply concentrated, they are still made using dried grapes; their fermentation is stopped during winemaking to maintain their unctuous sweetness. Like dessert-style wines made around the globe, they’ve largely fallen out of favour.

Daenna Van Mulligen

In Valpolicella, vineyards are mainly planted on slopes up to 600 metres high. istock.com/Flavio Vallenari photo

Reciotos were the precursor to the second and third types of Valpolicellas, the modern Amarone and Ripasso wines.

Amarones are the evolution of Reciotos. They began to appear in the early 20th century but did not become commercially accessible until after the Second World War. Drier in style, they lean toward a rich glycerol palate and higher alcohol content than most wines.

Amarones are made only from the best 65 per cent of the vineyard’s grapes, which are then dried for 90 to 120 days in drying rooms called fruittai. In these designated fruittai, with carefully maintained humidity and temperature, the grapes lose 30 per cent of their water. Amarones boast impressive weight, have a perceived sweetness on the palate, and tend toward robust flavours of cherries, balsamic and dark chocolate.

Ripasso wines are a secondary product and their name translates to “re-pass.”

Known as baby Amarones, Ripasso wines are made by adding Valpolicella wine to still-fermenting grape skins left over from the production of Amarone and Recioto wines. Ripasso wines are hugely popular now. They have a weight and concentration similar to an Amarone, but with more freshness, and at a lower price.

Finally, while they may seem like the boring ones of the bunch, the ubiquitous Valpolicella DOC reds deserve more respect. These fresh wines are the only ones made without the use of dried grapes. They are juicy, fruit-forward and approachable, and respond well to a slight chill before serving.

G RAPE V ARIETIES

Like most of Italy’s winemaking regions, the key wine grape varieties in Valpolicella are autochthonous, that is, indigenous to the region. There has been significant research into why they suit the region’s winemaking styles, and specifically the drying of the grapes.

Corvina is the soul of the wines of Valpolicella and is perfectly suited to the drying process due to its densely packed skin cells and thick skins. With its intrinsically fruity demeanor, Corvina shows juicy cherry and plum aromas; it has intense colour and excellent tannic structure. Between 45 and 95 per cent of the blend in Valpolicella’s wines must contain Corvina.

Rondinella must make up between five to 30 per cent of the blend and offers delicate floral and vinous aromas; like Corvina, it has good tannic structure.

Corvinone is a fruity, late-ripening variety and is perfectly suited to the drying process. It exhibits spicy and herbaceous characters, and can be up to 50 per cent of the final blend, replacing the same amount of Corvina.

Other varieties allowed for blending in Valpolicella are: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Corbina, Dindarella, Merlot, Molinara, Oseleta, Teroldego and Turchetta.

Big, bold, complex and deep, Valpolicella’s wines are wonderfully suited to the cooler fall and winter seasons.

“

Big, bold, complex and deep, Valpolicella’s wines are wonderfully suited to the cooler fall and winter seasons.

From left to right, Corvina, Rondinella and Corvinone grapes.

ENJOY DISCOUNTED & EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO LEGACY PRODUCTS & EVENTS, MEMBERSHIP FREEBIES & MORE. Become a part of the community. Email wineclub@legacyliquorstore.com for more information.

1633 MANITOBA STREET | 604.331.7900 | LEGACYLIQUORSTORE.COM

Tasting room open by appointment only from September to May. Call 250-331-1384 or email katie@beaufortwines.ca for more information. 5854 Pickering Road, Courtenay, BC @beaufortwines • @beaufortwinery • beaufortwines.ca

Kelowna on a plate

A F OODIE TOUR SAMPLES THE BEST O F ALL THAT ’S NE W IN THE HEART O F B.C. W INE COUNTR Y

Joanne Sasvari

The vibrant dining room—with a selection of the 101 wines available—at Salt & Brick in Kelowna.

Heading to Kelowna? Better pack your stretchy pants. There is so much good food to be had here you can spend all your time nibbling and grazing and noshing your way through the city. What’s even more remarkable is how many of the best eateries have just opened in the last year or so. Here’s how to make the most of your eating hours by sampling the best of what’s new.

BREAKFA ST

Start your morning at Waterfront Café in the Mission, where chef Mark Filatow is baking crusty artisan breads and whipping up exceptional breakfasts like his crisp-tender potato rosti topped with perfectly poached egg and oozing with melted cheese. Get there early, before the best loaves are gone. waterfrontcafe.ca

Consider it pre-breakfast, then head over to Start Fresh Kitchen, a collaborative project that teaches vulnerable members of the community how to grow, prepare and serve food. Chef Blake Bjornson and his team cook fresh-from-the-farm breakfasts and lunches here; just try to resist their nutty-sweet pecan waffles with crispy local bacon. startfreshkitchen.ca

L UNCH

For lunch, head north to Lake Country, which is becoming a culinary hotspot thanks to two exceptional new winery restaurants.

At The Chase, winemaker Adrian Baker produces bright, complex Riesling, Pinot Noir and a richly perfumed Gewürztraminer he describes as “the Amy Winehouse of wine. It’s completely lush in both meanings of the word.” Keeping up with these gorgeous wines is Garden Bistro chef Alex Lavroff, who brings an inventive spirit to pairing, helped by a bountiful onsite veggie patch. He pairs that lush Gewürz with a buttery rock lobster in spicy-sweet nuoc cham, a combination Baker calls “the Sultan of Brunei of wine matches.” thechasewines.com

Down the road, at 50th Parallel Estate’s Block One restaurant, chef Kai Koroll makes the most of local and seasonal ingredients, thanks to a wood-fired forno oven. The flatbreads are exceptional here, and the view over rolling vineyards and distant mountains is not so bad either. Best enjoyed with a glass of finely structured Pinot Noir. 50thparallel.com

TOP LEFT: Baguettes stand propped on the “bread wall” at Waterfront Cafe in Kelowna.

TOP RIGHT: The flatbread from the forno oven at Block One Restaurant at 50th Parallel Estate Winery in Lake Country.

LEFT: The rock lobster with nuoc cham at The Chase Winery’s Garden Bistro in Lake Country.

A FTERNOON PICK-ME-UP

Hope you saved some room, because you will definitely want to visit QB Gelato. The name refers to the Italian expression “quanto basta,” which means “take as much as you want,” says co-owner Victor Laderoute. “That’s what life is about, eating and enjoying.” When he and his partner Kevin Bojda retired a few years back, they hied themselves off to Italy’s “gelato university” to study the art of making gelato the traditional way: freshly crafted from seasonal ingredients, with no fillers or preservatives. Belly on up to their chic tasting bar and sample flavours such as basil, haskap berry and “Holy Cacao,” an impossibly rich, intense, dark chocolate sorbet. “We like to say that we don’t sell gelato, we sell an experience, and gelato just happens to be the product you’ve experienced,” Laderoute says. qbgelato.com

By now, you’re probably craving a beer, so head over to BNA Brewing Co., housed in a beautifully refurbished tobacco warehouse, for a pint or two of their expressive craft ales. Or enjoy one of their handcrafted cocktails, along with a snack from their globally inspired menu. Need some exercise? Take a spin on the 10-pin bowling alley or the bocce court. bnabrewing.com

D INNER

Salt & Brick’s tiny dining room is jam-packed with people craving chef James Holmes’ fresher-than-fresh fare. His share-plate menu changes daily—even, sometimes, midway through a meal if something delicious arrives at the back door. Think tender bao stuffed with local veg, ridiculously good brussels sprouts, handmade pasta that zings with flavour or fresh fish baked whole and lavished with citrus and spice. The fresh sheet is 80 per cent vegetarian, and pairs with an extensive wine list that focuses mainly on smaller, off-the-beaten-track wineries. “It’s strictly a wine bar with some spirits,” Holmes says. Sounds like our kind of place. saltandbrick.ca

Then again, so is Oak + Cru Social Kitchen & Wine Bar. The buzzy lakeside patio would be enough reason to swing by the restaurant at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. The food and the wine come a close second, though. Its impressive wine program features dozens of B.C. wines by the glass, while Chef Daniel Craig makes the most of local bounty with dishes such as his unexpectedly delicious tomato and strawberry salad with burrata and crisp prosciutto. In a final flourish, pastry chef Arthur Chen whips up seductively sweet treats such as lemony cheesecake and creamy gelato sprinkled with, yes, popcorn. It’s an unbeatable way to end the meal—and your next visit to Kelowna. oakandcru.com

TOP LEFT: Scoops of basil and haskap berry gelato top freshly made waffles at QB Gelato in Kelowna.

TOP RIGHT: The brussels sprouts at Salt & Brickwill make you a believer in vegetable-forward dining..

BOTTOM LEFT: The tomato and strawberry salad at Oak + Cru Social Kitchen & Wine Bar is unexpectedly delicious.

—David Lawrason, WineAlign

Vancouver Island

From the Saanich Peninsula to Comox, the Island has several pockets of microclimates that are ideal for growing grapes, especially cooler climate varietals such as Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The wineries are mostly smaller, family-owned properties located in seductively beautiful landscapes and surrounded by lush farms. The Island also boasts a number of food festivals, which pair especially well with the local vintages.

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, otherss 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, Schonburger, Auxerrois 40knotswinery.com

Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery

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

Blue Moon Estate Winery

Riesling, Syrah bluemoonwinery.ca

Coastal Black Estate Winery Fruit wines, honey wines coastalblack.ca

Stones Throw Vineyard And Estate Winery

Pinot Gris, Siegerrebe www.stonesthrowwinery.ca

C owi C h A n VA lley

Alderlea Vineyards

Bacchus, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Poinot 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 and B&B

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

Silverside Farm & Winery

Fruit wines silversidefarm.com

Unsworth Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignette, Riesling, Merlot, Petit Milo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, sparkling wines 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

Unsworth Vineyards is known for its refreshing Charme de L’Ile bubble. Sean Fenzl 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 (Victoria)

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

Gulf Islands

Domaine Rochette Winery

Pinot Noir, Ortega, Rosé, Marechal Foch, Schonburger domainerochette.com

Dragonfly Hill Vineyard

Ortega, Auxerrois, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, fruit wines

dragonflyhillvineyard.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

Salt Spring Vineyards & Winery

Pinot Gris, Marechal Foch, fruit wines saltspringvineyards.com

t hetis i sl A nd

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

Domaine Jasmin

Vineyard & Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris domainejasmin.com

Salt Spring Vineyards & Winery produces cool-climate wines. Andrea Johnson photo

Fraser Valley

It comes as something of a surprise to many people that there are 40 wineries right on the doorstep of B.C.’s biggest city—including a handful right in 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 boast additional attractions such as farm tours or bistros.

Chaberton Estate Winery

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

Glass House Estate Winery

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

Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery

Fruit wines, sparkling wine, dessert wines krauseberryfarms.com

The Fort Langley Wine Co. Fruit wines thefortwineco.com

Abbotsford

Blackwood Lane

Vineyards & Winery

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

Ripples Winery

Fruit wines

rippleswinery.com

St. Urban Winery

Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay sturbanwinery.com

Singletree Winery

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

Seaside Pearl

Farmgate Winery

Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, sparkling wine seasidepearlwinery.ca

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

d ewdney

Kermode Wild Berry Winery

Fruit wines kermodewildberry.com

lA ngley/ Alder groV e

Backyard Vineyards

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

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery (Langley)

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay township7.com

Vista D’oro Farms & Winery

Pinot Gris, Syrah, fortified walnut wine vistadoro.com

n ew w estminster

Pacific Breeze Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc pacificbreezewinery.com

Wine barrels form a rustic backdrop to the tasting room at Township 7 Vineyards in Langley. Byron Smith photo

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 Farms & Vines

Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Rosé countryfarms.ca/countryvines-winery

s urrey

1st R.O.W. Estate Winery

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

Okanagan

Vinoscenti Vineyards

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

VA n C ou V er

City Side Winery

Merlot, Rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier citysidewinery.com/

Vancouver Urban Winery

Pinot Gris, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc vancouverurbanwinery.com

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 boasting fine restaurants, guesthouses and cultural events.

g olden m ile

b en C h

C.C. Jentsch Cellars

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

Checkmate Artisanal Winery

Merlot, Chardonnay www.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, Schonburger, 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 www.rustwine.com

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

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

kA leden

Kraze Legz Vineyard & Winery

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

Quails’ Gate Estate Winery in West Kelowna overlooks Okanagan Lake. Quail’s Gate Winery photo

Top Shelf Winery

Pinot Gris, Merlot, Chardonnay topshelfwine.ca

k elown A

Ancient Hill Estate Winery

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

Calona Vineyards (Wayne Gretzky Okanagan, Conviction, Peller)

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay calonavineyards.ca

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 martinlanewinery.com/

Meadow Vista Honey Wines

Fruit wines, Honey Wines meadowvista.ca

Nagging Doubt Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay naggingdoubt.com

Okanagan Villa Estate Winery sparkling wine www.okanaganvilla.com/

Sandhill

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

Scorched Earth Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot, rosé scorchedearthwinery.ca

Sperling Vineyards

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

SpearHead Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay spearheadwinery.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

lA ke Country

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

The Chase Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Noir, rosé thechasewines.com

With its certified organic vineyards, Haywire is producing game-changing wines near Summerland. Lionel Trudel photo

nA r A m AtA

Bella Wines sparkling wine bellawines.ca

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

Forgotten Hill Wine Co.

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, rosé forgottenhillwineco.com

Foxtrot Vineyards

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

JoieFarm

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

Kettle Valley Winery

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

Lake Breeze Vineyards

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

Lang Vineyards

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

Ledlin Family Vineyards

Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Bordeaux Blend ledlinfamilyvineyards.ca

Marichel Vineyard & Winery

Pinot Noir, Syrah marichel.ca

Mocojo Wines

Gewürztraminer,Merlot, Viognier, Malbec mocojowines.com

Nichol Vineyard

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

Origin Wines

Chardonnay originwines.ca

Serendipity Winery

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

Therapy Vineyards & Guest House

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

Van Westen Vineyards

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

o k A n AgA n

fA lls

BC Wine Studio

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

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

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

Liquidity Wines

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier 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

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

o li V er

Bartier Bros. Winery

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

Black Hills Estate Winery

Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, 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

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 Vineyards

Pinot Noir, Syrah maverickwine.ca

Montakarn Estate Winery

Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Malbec montakarn.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

Pipe'Dreams Vineyard And Estate Winery

Merlot, Kerner, Gamay, Zweigelt 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

River Stone Estate Winery

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

Rust Wine Co.

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

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

vinAmite Cellars

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

Blue Mountain Vineyard was one of the original wineries in the new Okanagan Falls sub-GI. . C.K. Stenberg photo

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

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

Young & Wyse Collection

Pinot Noir, Syrah youngandwysewine.com

Pe AC hl A nd Hainle Vineyards

Estate Winery

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

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards

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

Penti C ton Bench 1775 Winery

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

Black Widow Winery

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

Crescent Hill Winery

Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay, Muscat crescenthillwinery.com

D’Angelo Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier dangelowinery.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

Kanazawa Wines

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Pinot Blanc kanazawawines.com

La Frenz Winery

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

Laughing Stock

Vineyards

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

Little Engine Wines

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

Lock & Worth Winery

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

Misconduct Wine Co.

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

Monster Vineyards

Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay, Shiraz monstervineyards.ca

Moraine Estate Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon morainewinery.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, Sémillon, Tempranillo, Roussanne pentage.com

Perseus Winery

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

Play Estate Winery

Syrah, Viognier playwinery.com

Poplar Grove Winery

Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc poplargrove.ca

Red Rooster Winery Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon redroosterwinery.com

Roche Wines

Schonberger, Zweigelt, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Gewürztraminer rterrior.ca

Ruby Blues Winery

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

Terravista Vineyards

Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne terravistavineyards.com

Three Sisters Winery

Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay 3sisterswinery.com

Tightrope Winery

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

TIME Winery

Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc timewinery.com

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

s ummerl A nd 8th Generation Vineyard

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Chardonnay, Frizzante 8thgeneration.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

Evolve Cellars

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

T.H. Wines

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, rosé, Viognier thwines.com

The Back Door Winery

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

Thornhaven Estates Winery

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

w est k elown A

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

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

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 quailsgate.com

Rollingdale Winery

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

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

Similkameen

Known both as Canada’s organic capital and its best-kept-secret wine country, the sun-soaked Similkameen produces everything from boldly tannic 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 wineries here, there are many vineyards that sell grapes to wineries in other regions.

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

k eremeos

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

C Awston

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, Sémillon, 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

Estate Winery

Pinot Noir, Merlot stlaszlo.com

The barrel caves are one of the attractions at Seven Stones Winery in the Similkameen. Sian James photo

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 well-known 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

kooten Ay s

Baillie-Grohman

Estate Winery

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

Columbia Gardens

Vineyard & Winery

t hom P son VA lley

Harper's Trail Estate

Winery

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Rosé, Sparkling 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

l il lo oet

Fort Berens Estate Winery

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

s huswAP 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

Lavina Estate

Pinot Gris, Ortega lavinaestatewinery.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, Schonburger sunnybraewinery.com

Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon cgwinery.com

Heron Ridge Estates

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

Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard

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

SOAHC Estate Wines

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay soahc.com

Wynnwood Cellars

Pinot Noir, Syrah wynnwoodcellars.com

Prin C e g eorge

Northern Lights Estate Winery Ltd.

Fruit wines northernlightswinery.ca

Monte Creek Ranch Winery is one of four in the growing Thompson Valley GI. Monte Creek Ranch photo

Cindy Nguyen Photo

Forti ed, simpli ed

WHA T YOU NEED TO KNOW A BOUT THE BOLD C OM P LEXITIES OF THESE A UTUMN A L WINES

Laura Starr

Simple by definition but complex in nature, fortified wines have a reputation for bewildering the vino-curious. The styles can range from crisp and dry to viscously sweet, from nutty and saline to prune-y and spicy. With just a bit of groundwork, you can be on your way to enjoying the ethereal experience of fino sherry alongside spiced nuts, or savouring the fruity dramatics of an LBV Port dancing with a dark chocolate truffle.

But first, some clarity: To fortify a wine is to add a distilled spirit (usually, but not always, grape spirit). Historically, “fortification” allowed wines to last across lengthy sea voyages without spoiling; pleasingly, it also augments alcohol content (upwards of 20 per cent) and allows for flavour development and complexity.

Choosing when to add the spirit determines whether the wine will be dry or sweet—adding it before fermentation is complete leads to a sweeter, stronger wine; adding it afterward will create a drier one.

Different methods of storing and aging will also yield different results. Stainless steel, for instance, can preserve fruit flavours, while oak casks can add spicy or nutty oxidative profiles. Additionally, some styles are enhanced with botanicals making for an herbaceous elixir.

Wine regions around the world have trademark styles and it is this assortment of place, grape variety and produc-

tion that carves diversity. Here are three international classic styles to get your fortified foundation underway (see below for a sampling of B.C.-made fortifieds):

• Port (Duoro Valley, Portugal) is full-bodied and quite sweet, enjoyed as an aperitif or dessert wine. Styles range across ruby, tawny, vintage and white port. LBV (late bottle vintage) is ready to drink off the shelf.

• Sherry (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain) comes in many styles. Fino is light, dry and saline, while oloroso is aged, oxidized and rich. Great with nuts, olives and cheeses.

• Vermouth (Italy and France) is aromatized with herbs and spices and available in sweet (red) and dry (white) styles. Most commonly produced and drunk in Italy and France as aperitifs (as you should), it is also an essential ingredient in martinis and other classic cocktails.

FIVE B.C. F ORTI F IEDS TO TRY

OCP Narrative Fortified Syrah & Merlot (Summerland, $44.90): Bright acidity, red fruit, spice.

La Frenz Liqueur Muscat (Penticton, $21.65): Dried apricots, Earl Grey tea, rose petals.

Odd Society Spirits Bittersweet Vermouth (East Vancouver, $22): Intense, bittersweet, orange spice.

Quails’ Gate 2014 Fortified Vintage Foch (West Kelowna, $25.99): Rich, black cherry, smoke.

Vista D’oro Walnut Wine (Langley, $39.50): Spice, cherry, green walnuts.

“

The styles can range from crisp and dry to viscously sweet, from nutty and saline to prune-y and spicy.

MADE FOR SHARING… AND PAIRING

Our family of wines are crafted to pair perfectly, anytime, anywhere and can be conveniently delivered direct to your door three times a year by joining the Quails’ Gate Wine Club. Other perks of membership include preferred pricing onsite and online, priority access to premium limited-release wines and exclusive Wine Club Member events. Learn more at QuailsGate.com.