Anthony Gismondi offers up 25 B.C. winery experiences that shouldn’t be missed
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
The summer edition of Salut is designed for a renewed, post-COVID exploration of British Columbia wine country. It is based on two of the questions we are asked most often: Which wineries should I visit and which wine should I buy? Given limited space, we settled on 25 recommended winery experiences along with an “if you could only buy one wine” selection for each producer.
As COVID-19 travel restrictions begin to ease, we sense the pent-up demand to hit the road and visit wineries will be intense, hence our strategy to help you travel far wide across the province to experience the latest developments during some of your first stops.
There is so much diversity among the people, the wines and the places that define modern British Columbia wine, we could have come up with 50 wineries to pick and 100 wines to buy, but you have to start somewhere.
For those unable to travel at this time, you can enjoy all our picks at home by ordering them direct from most wineries. They will ship it to your front door or look for it in many locations, including private wine shops, grocery stores and government BCLS outlets. I’ll leave the rest of the travel planning to you. Below find our list, including recommended stops for lunch or dinner, all organized alphabetically for ease of use.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
COVID-19 protocols will likely be in place all summer, so be sure to check winery websites before you decide to go for operating hours and reservation procedures should they be required.
1. Bartier Bros. Cabernet Franc Cerqueira Vineyard 2019, Oliver Gravel Bench $28.99
Winemaker Michael Bartier specializes in purity of fruit, spare winemaking and respect for the terroir. It’s a delightful tasting stop under the pergola on Black Sage Gravel Bar, and keep an eye out for the Winery Food Truck.
2. Black Hills Chardonnay 2019, Oliver Black Sage Bench $29.90
Much has changed under winemaker Ross Wyse, who’s quickly turned the former one-trick pony into a must-stop to taste all the wines. The latest rosé and Chardonnay releases are great examples of the changes.
3. Blue Grouse Estate Ortega 2020, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island $23.99
The big story is the Pinot Noir, and it is an excellent one. Still, the fun wine is Ortega, all organically farmed on the estate and telling the story of fresh fruit, acidity, and salinity, ready for summer consumption.
4. Blue Mountain Blanc de Blancs R.D. Méthode Traditionelle 2012, Okanagan Falls $49.90
This is the perfect sparkling wine to celebrate the winery’s 30th anniversary. The setting is breathtaking, and the view from almost anywhere on the property is iconic — a must-stop for wine enthusiasts.
5. Burrowing Owl Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Black Sage Bench, Oliver $40
Winemaker Kent MacDonald is quietly taking Burrowing Owl to another level joining the level of The Guest House inn and the Sonora Room Restaurant.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
6. CedarCreek Pinot Noir Rosé 2020, East Kelowna $20.99
Tight, zippy, lime, pink grapefruit make for a zesty, mouth-watering pink and a lovely patio partner for the summer, and that’s just the beginning. Between the wines and Home Block restaurant, this a world-class stop on anyone’s list.
7. Clos du Soleil Rosé 2020, Similkameen Valley $22.90
All organic wine growing and winemaking should attract you to stop by Clos du Soleil to sip this delicious pink, and almost every other wine will keep you there. Stunning backdrops, stellar fruit stands, its all in Keremeos and Cawston.
8. Hester Creek Old Vines Block 16 Trebbiano 2020, Golden Mile Bench $22.99
The Block 16 Trebbiano is drier, firmer, fresher, and far more interesting than 52 years ago when the vines were first planted. It tells a story like no other wine in B.C. can. Terrafina Restaurant is a must-stop for lunch or dinner.
9. Hillside Un-oaked Pinot Gris 2019, Naramata Bench $22
From the centre of the Okanagan, Hillside is an all Naramata Bench producer whose un-oak Gris is always an orchard in the glass. Lunch or dinner on the patio can be a classic Okanagan experience, especially at sundown.
10. JoieFarm Tsunami Rosé, Naramata Bench $22.52
Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir combine to make the ultimate picnic pink. Speaking of picnics, you can experience a wine tasting, lawn reservation, and picnic lunch reserved in advance. Picnic lunches and snacks are available as an add-on to the tasting.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
11. Little Farm Winery Pied de Cuve Chardonnay 2016, Cawston $30.99
Tiny, artisanal and focused, you will find Little Farm a block off the beaten track in Cawston up against a spectacular backdrop. The wine reflects its classic, stony, windswept Similkameen terroir.
12. Liquidity Viognier 2020, Okanagan Falls $29
This expressive, unmistakably Okanagan Viognier pours a lush apricot, ripe peach, mango and fragrant honeysuckle. The winery offers outstanding The Art of Food & Wine at $55, including five chef-prepared, in-season bites paired with five estate wines.
13. Meyer Chardonnay 2020, Okanagan Falls, $20
Meyer’s regular bottling of Chardonnay is an instruction manual on how this grape should be handled in B.C. In 2020 the fruit popped with vibrancy and freshness — incredible value for the quality and outdoor on-site tastings are charming.
14. Modest Wines La Graves Robber Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon, Westbank $26.99
Mt. Boucherie is hell-bent on having fun with their Modest Wines — this one inspired by the Left Bank of Bordeaux but raised in the Westbank. Don’t miss a bite at the Modest Butcher Restaurant for lunch or dinner.
15. Okanagan Crush Pad, Summerland
The Crush Pad plays home to three labels: Haywire, Freeform and Narrative. You can learn all about them and certified organic wine growing at the crush pad patio surrounded by a working winery. A favourite is the Haywire Chardonnay Secrest Mountain Vineyard 2018 ($26.90).
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
16. O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars Grüner Veltliner 2019, Lake Country $24
This is a wine of the future as the B.C. vineyards continue to gravitate north of 50 degrees. The Pinot Noir is delicious, and Chef Bernard Cassavant operates a first-class restaurant on the patio.
17. Painted Rock Merlot 2017, Skaha Bench $34.99
Atop the Skaha Bench just south of Penticton, the Merlot is a New World wine tempered by natural, savoury, sagebrush notes, while visiting the property, formerly the largest apricot orchard in the British Empire is breathtaking.
18. Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2020, Naramata Bench $19.99
A cornerstone of Poplar Grove’s portfolio, it’s easy to enjoy and stuffed full of soft orchard fruit. The restaurant and adjacent tasting room are second to none, with a spectacular vista overlooking Okanagan Lake and the Penticton beachfront.
19. Quails’ Gate Chardonnay 2019, West Kelowna $23.99
A restrained Chardonnay with a citrus lining, a touch of lees and vibrant acidity that is made for seafood. Another top spot to visit for tastings and a leisurely lunch or dinner at the Old Vines Restaurant or pick up a wood-fired pizza at The Market.
20. Roche Nuances 2018, Penticton $32.90
Nuance is a great moniker for this Bordeaux “Okanagan” blend full of intrigue and winemaking savoir faire. Family-owned and operated think sophisticated artisanal wines from a modest Golden Mile producer. Super value too.
21. Rust Wine Co Lazy River Vineyard Syrah 2018, Oliver $44
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
This is one of three single-vineyard regional Syrahs topped with colourful wax capsules illustrating the latest in B.C. wine marketing. Rust is a woke place to hang out for an hour high or two high on the Golden Mile Bench.
22. Spearhead Pinot Noir Rosé 2020, South East Kelowna, $21
Winemaker Grant Stanley is an intense, entertaining fellow who pushes the boundaries searching for electric Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Try them all as you overlook the city of Kelowna and Lake Okanagan from its spectacular site.
23. Tantalus Riesling 2020, East Kelowna, $22.61
The flagship Riesling at Tantalus is a study in purity and precision and is not to be missed. We like to say there is nothing regular about the “regular” Tantalus Riesling, and a visit to the East Kelowna winery is equally enticing.
24. Township 7 Polaris Seven Stars 2017, South Langley $35.97
Winemaker Mary McDermott has launched a unique sparkling wine program, and you can experience a series of bubbles at two locations: the South Langley winery or on the Naramata Bench. All four traditional method cuvées: Polaris, Equinox, Eclipse and Vega will brighten your visit.
25. Unsworth Vineyards Rosé 2019, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island $21.65
Sweet cherries and strawberries, a touch of dried herbs, and gentle spicing make this wine the perfect patio sipper. The Restaurant at Unsworth Vineyards in the heart of a slow food country is a must-stop.
• Salut: B.C. wineries embrace new virtual reality
• Salut: A case for the rosés of summer
• Salut: 5 fabulous finds to elevate your summer sipping experience
Subscribe to West Coast Table and start planning for your weekend with expert recommendations from our team of writers on what to cook, where to dine, and the perfect wine pairing delivered straight to your inbox on Thursday at noon.
Source: vancouversun.com
