Anthony Gismondi: A wild and windy Similkameen wine experience awaits
Winter is traditionally the time of year when wineries consider change. In the past, that might have meant updating the label, planting a new vineyard, renovating the winery, or building a tasting room. Much of that still occurs, but the big focus now is on offering more experiential visits to entertain your guests. In 2026, your wines and your story must inspire us to pull off the road and visit your winery.
Many B.C. producers are now over 20 years old, and they should all consider refreshing their public-facing image, focusing on what truly matters — the family or company ethos, the property’s sense of place, the people who work there, and the culture that guides daily decisions.
I’ve read many winery newsletters and press releases that, honestly, are mostly uninspiring. Some get it, but not many. One that struck me as fresh and relevant for 2026 was an insightful note meant to intrigue rather than directly trying to sell me something. It was from John and Virginia Webber, owners of Orofino Winery in the Similkameen Valley. What follows is some of what was in their newsletter. Read it yourself and tell me if you’re intrigued.
“Labels have been finalized. Bottling dates are on the calendar. And the spring releases you’ll soon see on our shelves are resting in their final chapter before meeting the world. But this lineup didn’t start this month. It didn’t even start this year.
“Each bottle traces its story back through seasons of tending vines, last spring’s careful preparation, harvest days filled with anticipation, and months — even years — of patience, decisions, and small adjustments along the way. These wines don’t simply ‘drop.’ They arrive, shaped by experience, intention, and the listening that comes from paying attention to what you love most.
“This season, you’ll see familiar favourites returning — the bottles many of you ask for by name — alongside a few quiet experiments we’ve been nurturing behind the scenes. New expressions, new ideas, and wines we’re excited to share not just for how they taste, but for the stories they carry.
“Our hope, always, is that what we release feels less like a product and more like a moment waiting to happen. Something you open on a weeknight just because. Something you bring to the table with friends. Something that becomes part of a memory you didn’t plan, but won’t forget.”
None of this matters if the wine is ordinary, which it never has been at Orofino, nor is the passion of the Webbers, who know the Similkameen Valley like the back of their hand. If you’re inclined to stay on the property, there are suites on the winery roof and a three-bedroom home, where serenity and quiet are everyday ways of life. You can expect to gain insider knowledge on all the must-sees from the Webbers that you can explore by hiking, cycling, or driving just minutes from the winery. Day trips to the South Okanagan Valley or Okanagan Falls are only a 30-minute, spectacular drive away.
From farms to orchards to wineries to river swimming and fishing, it’s wine country accommodation at its best. You can also choose to do nothing and enjoy hanging out on the property, cooking your own meals with local organic ingredients bought minutes away from the winery. Of course, drinking a glass of wine on your deck in between naps is also completely acceptable and encouraged.
Experiential visits are all the rage, and getting a non-commercial experience with real growers who are committed to the land and live on or near the property is the way to go.
B.C. wine country is on the rebound from the pandemic, wildfires, and deep freezes that have marked its recovery. It is already seeing an uptick in tourists in March. If you are planning a visit, you’d best start organizing it. The wild and windy Similkameen experience awaits you.
Weekend wine picks
Tenute Musone Via Condotto Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2024, Marche, Italy
$19.99 I 89/100
UPC:
8051764380008
It’s three years in a row for this wine, which puts it in the buy-with-no-worries category, and it remains at the same low price. Verdicchio is a very versatile grape that can take different paths: dry, fresh, and mineral; spicy, rich, and full-bodied; and sweet passito. I prefer the fresh, dry style, and you’ll find it in the Via Condotto. The nose is pleasantly aromatic, featuring fresh-cut white and yellow flowers, with a hint of acidity running throughout. Orchard fruits and figs dusted with almonds catch your attention. Pair this with West Coast seafood dishes. Bravo. Real wine.
Spearhead Dual Citizen Chardonnay Upland Vineyard 2024, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
$29 I 89/100
UPC:
696852189781
At Spearhead, the wine that came from Upland Vineyard in Washington State’s Yakima Valley has proved to be a worthy replacement under the tutelage of Grant Stanley. The nose is a mix of fresh lemon curd, baked apple, and fragrant toasted almonds. More citrus marks the mid-palate with an exotic twist of guava. Best of all are its silky-smooth texture and a light vanilla and baking spice finish. Baked brie would be a delicious match. Drink or hold through 2027.
Undurraga Sibaris Pinot Noir Gran Reserva 2024, Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Chile
$17.99 I 88/100
UPC:
7804315002024
The label has improved over time, and while it is grown in the Leyda Valley, well regarded for its cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc, this Pinot Noir is perfectly ripe. The nose offers a blend of damp earth and forest floor, complemented by fresh, ripe raspberries. The palate begins with fresh, ripe raspberry, has a smooth texture, and frankly gives you all it can for the price. Duck pizza could be a fine match.
Orofino Reserve Syrah 2021, Similkameen Valley
$43.65 I 93/100
UPC:
626990403234
The Orofino Reserve Syrah is always released in limited quantities, and this exceptional small-batch wine, aged in the finest French oak barrels, exceeds expectations. It is complex and delicious, offering sophistication from start to finish, with notes of violets, black cherries, and white pepper dusted with wild Similkameen scrub and bright acidity. Linear and structured, this wine is ideal for cellaring, yet crafted so elegantly that it might tempt you to drink it now. Pair it with full-flavoured meat dishes or baked root vegetables.
Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny Port 2022, Barossa Valley, South Australia
$67.99 I 94/100
UPC:
012354071544
Penfolds Grandfather Rare dates back to 1915, when an oak cask containing the finest available Tawny blend was set aside for the exclusive use of the Penfold family. The name refers to the age of the oldest Tawny in the blend. The Solera currently contains 44 vintages from 1960 to 2004. The colour is a mix of tawny walnut brown with green edges. The nose combines buttery, rancio, nutty notes with caramel, vanilla, sweet raisins, and brown spice. It has a rich, sweet, supple texture, with notes of licorice, fruitcake, toffee, and orange peel in perfect balance. It is fully matured when bottled and ready to drink. Once open, it will keep for weeks, adding even more value to its charm.
B.C. wine of the week
Hillside Un-Oaked Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley,
$27 I 89/100
UPC:
696852229371
This un-oaked Sauvignon Blanc is grown over glacial till with sandy and gravelly soils on the Naramata Bench. As its name suggests, there is no oak involved, and its fresh, crisp character begins with a short period on skins and stainless steel fermentation. The nose is strongly reminiscent of the grassy, green-fruit Kiwi style. Bold passion fruit and citrus flow through the mid-palate, finishing pure and clean. All the classic pairings will work here, from oysters and shellfish to various goat cheeses, asparagus, and vibrant light spring dishes. Ready to drink.
Value wine of the week
Berton Vineyard Fiano 2025, South Australia
$21.99 I 90/100
UPC:
9335966005853
It’s hard not to like this one. At $21.99, it’s reasonably priced, and until the end of March, it’s on sale for just $17.99. Expect a refreshing tropical-fruit bent in a bright, respectful modern Australian take on Italian fiano, featuring pear, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and a light bitter-almond note. Crisp and clean, with a twist of sea salt, this one is a winner. Anything from the sea works here.
Calendar items
A Mission Hill Family Estate tradition continues with its Summer Concert Series. Now in its 19th season, the annual event will feature three headline concerts and new experiences, including the debut of the indoor visitor’s hall and Chagall Room dining packages. The series will include performances by Canadian Music Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Tom Cochrane and Red Rider on July 8; award-winning singer-songwriter Burton Cummings and his band on July 22; and award-winning singer-songwriter Amanda Marshall on Thursday, Aug. 6. General public ticket packages will be released on March 25, at 11:00 a.m. For inquiries go to
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A House of Commons petition calling for the removal of interprovincial barriers to shipping Canadian wine, craft beer, and spirits is now open for signatures across Canada. The petition supports Bill C-262, which would create a national framework that would allow Canadians to receive Canadian alcohol products directly from producers across provincial borders via Canada Post and other trusted carriers. The petition, launched by Ron Kubek, owner of Lightning Rock Winery in B.C., is now officially open for Canadians to sign at:
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Source: vancouversun.com