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British Columbia Wineries,
 Wine Country and Wines

    The dramatic beauty of the Pacific Northwest is legendary.  Leading roles in
this natural drama are played by verdant coastal ranges and the rugged Cascade
Mountains, projecting beauty and inspiration across its regional stage.

    Geologic histories assume equally major roles in regional weather systems --
roles that determine the varieties and success of  wine-grape growing throughout
Pacific Northwest wine regions.  British Columbia Wine Country is no exception.

     Without prejudice of national or political boundaries, the spectacular
Cascade Mountains rise to high elevations throughout Oregon, Washington and
southern BC.  Elevations of more than 14,000 feet easily prevent westerly flows
of cooler, wetter weather systems from moving east.  While wine-country
travelers in southwestern BC find wineries and vineyards on both sides of the
Cascades, many more are located to the east of the Cascades taking advantage of
the "rain shadow" affect that creates substantially warmer and drier conditions
for the Similkameen and the Okanagan wine regions.

      To the west of the mountain range, wineries are scattered within five
"Designated Viticultural Areas" (DVAs)as of May 2014 -- the Okanagan Valley, the
Similkameen Valley, the Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Fraser
Valley, where the weather is mild and relatively wet compared with the regions
to the east.  



      Heading east from Vancouver or the Fraser Valley, first on Hwy 1 then Hwy
3, you will travel through the northern reaches of the Cascade Mountains, more
commonly known as the Canadian Cascades.  If you take Hwy 3 at its junction with
Hwy 1, you will pass through the beautiful Similkameen Valley and transition
from wetter to the drier side of the mountain barrier, as you head southeast to
Osoyoos and the southern Okanagan Valley - the driest, largest and most popular
DVA of British Columbia. 

       The Okanagan Valley DVA begins in Canada's only true desert environment
and is adjacent to the U.S. border.  Crossing the border to the south one
notices that the Valley continues, and although the terrain doesn't change, the
spelling of it does.  In the states the Okanogan Valley is home to several
additional wineries and vineyards.

       Within British Columbia, the Okanagan Valley DVA stretches 155 miles
north through a variety of microclimates, ending in an area that favors
cool-climate viticulture.  Mid valley is the location of the unofficial Naramata
Bench wine region, which is entirely contained within the viticultural area of
the Okanagan Valley.  Weather in the Similkameen, the Okanagan and the Naramata
Bench regions is more extreme than that to the west of the Canadian Cascades.

Use our Winery & Merchant Finder to locate addresses and
telephone numbers of specific British Columbia wineries.

      Many different soil and weather variations in the Okanagan combine to
create ideal growing conditions for a wide variety of wine grapes.  This
diversity makes it conceivable to visit neighboring vineyards in the region that
produce completely different wines.  Located in BC's south central interior, the
Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys are the oldest and largest of this province's
wine-producing areas -- both in size and in the number of active wineries and
vineyards.

     Between BC's three official wine regions in the west and its major Okanagan
and Similkameen wine regions to the east, the traveler finds a wide selection of
varietal wines, primarily produced from French and German vinifera grapes, from
big, ripe reds to fresh, cool whites, and rich, sweet Icewine made from grapes
left to freeze naturally on the vine.  Approximately 30 years ago,
government-sponsored, experimental vineyard plots helped winemakers discover
which varietals ripened properly and survived in BC's consistently frosty
winters.  Since then, vineyard managers and winemakers have made good use of the
knowledge gained, and have worked together to refine the art of viticulture in
British Columbia.  Many international and regional awards attest to their
success. 
 

     Trademark wine products for the Province are crisp, fruity white wines and
scrumptious dessert wines, including late harvest wines and Icewines (picked and
crushed while frozen).  More and more red wine grapes are being grown in the
southern Okanagan and the Similkameen Valleys, where the hot, desert climate and
long, northern-latitude growing season create microclimates well suited for many
red varietals.  Cool nights in these warmer areas prevent the breakdown of acids
caused by constant heat.  Plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,
Merlot and Syrah, among others, are now scattered throughout this southern
area.  Pinot noir is also widely planted in British Columbia wine regions. 

       In the southern Okanagan Valley, intense hot, dry summers, coupled with
harsh, cold winters, produce quality fruit for a variety of distinctive wines.

 

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Touring British Columbia
Wine Regions

     The overview map and links below allow you to explore the wineries
operating in each of BC's Designated Viticultural Areas.  Watch for links to
suggestions for nearby lodging, dining, special events and touring opportunities
organized by region. Click on the region of your choice or the map below.



   Okanagan Valley & Similkameen Valley

   Fraser Valley

 


   Vancouver Island     

Gulf Islands

 

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Copyright ©  1999 - October, 2019
Susan R. O'Hara.  All rights reserved.
Last revised:  10/04/2019


British Columbia
Wine Facts   Number of
Grape-Wine Wineries

2017 - 350+ 
2015 - 320
2014 - 273
2013 - 221
2012 - 206
2011 - 193
2008 - 148
2006 - 132
2005 - 120
2003 - 72
1999 - 63
1995 - 32
1990 - 17
1988 - 13

Vineyard Acreage

2015 - 10,260 acres
2014 - 9,867 acres
2010 - 9,500 acres
2008 - 7,500 acres
2006 - 5,462 acres
1999 - 4,200 acres
1994 - 2,149 acres
1989 - 1,000 acres

Number of Vineyards
(Independent growers & wineries)

2012 - 864 vineyards

Grapes Harvested
(approximate)

2013 - 31,500 tons
2012 - 30,100 tons

Major Varietals
  TOP 10 WHITES
Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling,
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Ortega,
Ehrenfelser, Muscat   TOP 10 REDS Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah,
Cabernet Franc, Gamay Noir, Maréchal Foch, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Zweigelt
Additional Varieties
Zinfandel, Pinotage, Tempranillo, Baco Noir, Pinot Meunier, Sangiovese, Leon
Millot, Chancellor, Dunkelfelder, Agria, Castel, Carmenere, Grenache, Mourvedre,
Bacchus,
Semillon, Auxerrois, Siegerrebe, Vidal, Kerner, Schönburger, Chenin Blanc,
Madeleine Angevine,  Müller Thurgau, Madeleine Sylvaner, Optima, Chasselas,
Roussanne

WINE STYLES
Icewine, Late-Harvest,
Sparkling, Still & Fortified

Ratio of Red to White
52.09% to 47.91%

Wine Production
(litres, est.)

2012 - 17,717,200
2011 - 14,769,300
2010 - 11,555,700
2009 - 12,921,350

Wine Regions
"Designated Viticultural Areas"

Fraser Valley
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Vancouver Island
Gulf Islands

Application pending for
the sub-appellation of the Golden Mile Bench in the Southern Okanagan


Emerging Regions:


Thompson/Shuswap
The Kootenay
Lillooet

Last Updated
10/04/2019