Okanagan Valley Wine & Food

The Okanagan Valley is British Columbia's oldest and main grape-growing region. Although it lies on the same latitude as the northern German and French vineyards, the Okanagan Valley is not all classified as a "cool-climate" growing region. Distinct microclimates occur throughout the Valley, from the hot, sandy, desert soils in the southern valley to the cooler vineyard sites in the north, with their deep topsoil and clay. Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Pinot noir grow in the south, while Pinot blanc, Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer are grown in the mid and northern regions, some left to freeze on the vine for the region's famed Icewines.

Location: The Okanagan Valley is approximately 300 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. The valley is long and narrow and runs for 160 kilometres from the US border at 49 to 50 degrees north.

Climate: The Okanagan Valley lies in a rain shadow, between the Coastal and Monashee mountain ranges. This results in very low annual average rainfall. The area between Oliver and the US border is the northernmost tip of the Sonora Desert, which begins on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. Summers are generally very hot: average temperatures in July and August are warmer than in the Napa Valley. Summer daytime temperatures can reach 40°C, and are often above 30°C for several days in a row. In the summer, there are long daylight hours and high light intensity due to the northerly latitude. In late June, daybreak is as early as 5 am and nightfall as late as 10:30 pm. This helps with prolonged daytime photosynthesis and grape ripening. In summer there can be a four-degree average daily difference in temperature between Kelowna and Osoyoos. This results in a preference for red varieties in the south and white varieties in the cooler north. Precipitation is spread evenly throughout the year and wind is not a major concern.

Topography: Several lakes run along the valley floor, the biggest of which is Lake Okanagan at 144 kilometres long and 3.5 kilometres average width. It is over 750 metres at its deepest point and is the source of much-needed water for irrigation. The northern part of the Okanagan Valley, between Kelowna and Naramata, is narrow and marked by steep hillsides. The area for planting vineyards is limited. The Naramata bench area (near Penticton) is marked by sloping vineyards in close proximity to the lake, with excellent exposure to the afternoon sun. Higher-altitude vineyards, some of which are planted on slopes, mark the Okanagan Falls area. A few vineyards are planted on terraces. From Oliver to Osoyoos, the valley fans out with flatter land in the Black Sage vineyard area. This is where the majority of acreage is planted, and is the area with the greatest potential for new development.

Diversity within BC's Okanagan/Similkameen wine regions goes well beyond variable microclimates and grape varieties. Wine styles also vary broadly throughout the valleys, as do the nationalities of their winemakers. Look for wine styles reminiscent of those found in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Winemakers within this multi-ethnic winemaking region often pay homage to the wine styles of their homelands.

The British Columbia wine industry was reborn in the late 1980s when many cool-climate, hybrid grape varieties were uprooted and replaced with vinifera wine grapes which now thrive in selected microclimates along Lakes Okanagan, Skaha and Osoyoos and as far north as just above the 50th latitude. As a result of this bold government-subsidized "pull-out program," 90% of the hybrid-grape vineyards in the Okanagan Valley were removed, setting the stage for plantings of vinifera grapes.

The nature of Okanagan Valley wine making was dramatically changed, particularly in the area south of McIntyre Ridge in the Southern Okanagan Valley, where 50% of BC's wine grapes now grow. Today, fine red varieties, as well as whites, have taken hold in the beautiful and agriculturally protected South Okanagan region. Less than 10 inches of annual rainfall are typical here since this region falls within the northernmost extension of the Sonora Desert -- a desert that shares its influence with both the Okanagan and eastern Washington wine regions.

To fully appreciate the diversity of the Okanagan's wine-growing climates and styles, plan to follow the crush on one of your trips to the region. Begin in the southern end of the Valley, where grape harvest begins as much as three weeks earlier than in the north. Continue traveling north and notice the cooling of the temperatures. The further north you travel, the later the harvest. Grapes ripen more slowly, and wine grape varieties change to those best suited for cooler climates.

Some of the estates you will visit by bicycle:

Mission Hill Winery
Mission Hill wines consistently win international awards, and in 2007, they won Canadian “Winery of the Year” from Wine Access magazine. In summer, dine outdoors at Terrace, named one of the top winery restaurants in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. Bring your camera – the art, architecture, and panoramic lake and vineyard views are outstanding. Choose from variety of year-round tours and tastings.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery
The winery ages its vintages in a four-storey, concrete, eight per cent replica of Egypt’s Great Pyramid, and maintains that this “sacred geometry” enhances the quality of its wines – take a pyramid tour and sample the wines to see! Sparkling wines are Summerhill’s specialty, and all of their vineyards are certified organic.
 

Nk’mip
Nk’mip (pronounced in-ka-meep) is North America’s first Aboriginal owned and operated winery. Situated in Canada’s only desert, the vineyards exist in a unique ecosystem that includes sagebrush, rattlesnakes and burrowing owls. Join a winery tour and stroll through the Oak Barrel Grotto, or taste their premium Qwam Qwmt (“achieving excellence”) wines for a small fee. The winery is part of a four-season resort, which also includes a spa, golf course and cultural centre.

Quails’ Gate
 Quails’ Gate is known for its award-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Take a tour to visit the vineyard, production facilities and Allison House – a historic 1870s pioneer log cabin that once served as the wine shop (a new 3,500 sq ft wineshop was recently built). Old Vines Restaurant is open year round and showcases local ingredients.

Gray Monk
 Gray Monk celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2007, making them one of the oldest wineries in the Okanagan. Their name comes from the German for Pinot Gris – Grauar Mönch – which translates to Gray Monk. An extensive portfolio of red, white and dessert wines is available, and the winery restaurant deck looks out on rows of vineyards sloping towards Okanagan Lake.

CedarCreek
CedarCreek has a twice been named Canada’s winery of the year by Wine Access magazine. Regular public tours in summer include a visit to the vineyard, production facility and barrel room, followed by a wine tasting. Mediterranean architecture and an open-air restaurant overlooking Lake Okanagan provide a beautiful backdrop.