BRITISH COLUMBIA’S WINE REGIONS PART TWO
by Professor Hrayr Berberoglu.

December 24, 2007


Enophiles outside of British Columbia and possibly Alberta know very little about this province’s delightful wines. Yet British Columbia’s production and quality have been increasing over the past few decades, and now its wines win international awards in competitions.

Although British Columbia started producing wine much later than Ontario, progress has been rapid and even foreign capitalists decided to invest.

There are four regions (Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Vancouver and Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands.

Of the four, Okanagan Valley is the oldest and largest stretching from Vernon in the north to the U S border in the south.

In the south the hot climate necessitates irrigation but grapes ripen well and fully. In the north the weather is cooler and the region receives more precipitation thus yielding white grapes more suitable for light, fragrant and appealing white wines.

Growers prefer the following white grape varieties:

Chardonnay, pinot blanc, pinot gris, Riesling, gewürztraminer, auxerrois, and for reds pinot noir, merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, gamay, syrah and petit syrah a.k.a durif.

In recent years most growers started concentrating their efforts into planting vitis vinifera varieties because of demand and their superior taste, providing yields are kept low.

Similkameen Valley lies just west of Okanagan. Overall the climate is dry and cool due to the high elevation. Summers are hot and dry. Long sunshine hours help ripen grapes fully.

Vancouver and Fraser Valley- this region east of Vancouver is one of Canada’s major agricultural centers.

Summers are hot and dry, winters warm and rainy. There are 10 wineries producing fine wines that can be tasted before purchase.

Vancouver Island - This region has been producing wine for at least ten years now and every year the quality seems to be improving, partially due to vineyards getting older and partially to better winemaking technologies.

Gulf Island is the newest of wine producing regions in British Columbia. It is Canada’s warmest year round. Most of the vineyards are still young, yet they are promising. To date there are only a few wineries but more are planned.

Selected wineries:

Blasted Church Vineyards

Burrowing Owl Estate Vineyards

Calona Vineyards

Cedarcreek Estate Winery

Domaine Cambret

Gehrineger Brothers Estate Winery

Golden Mile Cellars

Gray Monk Estate Winery

Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery

La Frenz Winery

Lake Breeze Vineyards

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery

Nichol Vineyard

“Nk Mip Cellars

Red Rooster Winery

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

Wild Goose Vineyards

Blue Grouse Vineyards and Winery

Cherry Point Vineyards

Saturna Island Family Estate Winery

Venturi-Schulze Winery

Zanotta Winery

Domaine de Chaberton Estate Winery

Lotusland Vineyards

Hrayr Berberoglu took early retirement after lecturing on restaurant management and conducting wine, beer and spirits seminars for over a quarter of a century.

Now he consults and writes to increase wine, beer and liquor awareness. He conducts seminars and would be pleased to consider your requests. To peruse the list of his published books and order please contact him at hirayrberberoglu_3@sympatico.ca

Hryar Berberoglu www.littlefatwino.com