Canada's Okanagan Valley Should Be Your Next Wine Tasting Adventure
The Okanagan Valley has a secret that it's ready to share. For centuries, the 155-mile valley in Canada's British Columbia province has been home to some of the most successful stone fruit orchards in North America. However, in the last 30 years, a new crop has blossomed and changed the region's identity: bountiful grape vineyards producing award-winning wines.
It doesn't come as a shock to Graham Nordin, the general manager at Iconic Wineries of British Columbia, that the Okanagan Valley has become one of the premier regions for winemaking in Canada. Nordin grew up in the valley surrounded by brilliant farmers whose dedication and innovation helped launch the region into the vinicultural star status it has today.
"It's been amazing to see the evolution from what has always been an incredibly beautiful place to this emerging and innovative wine region that is now," says Nordin. "The wines produced in the Okanagan Valley stand shoulder to shoulder with those from Europe and other highly regarded areas."
One of the factors that make the wine from the Okanagan Valley different from the rest of the world is the purity and vibrancy of the fruit. Soil enriched with ancient glacier and volcanic matter lays the foundation for fertile growing grounds. The region's climate also contributes to the freshness of the fruit—the valley's hot days and cool evenings help create a clean and crisp flavor in the wines.
Nordin notes that the diverse terrain of the valley helps make Okanagan unique from other wine terroirs. "There are lush mountains in the north end of the Okanagan whereas in the southern area, there are incredible beaches and even a desert," explains Nordin. "This diversity is really unique in the world of wine, as we are able to grow so many unique varieties. But from a travel perspective, there's just so much beautiful nature for people to enjoy here."
Okanagan Wineries You Need to Visit
Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
Regarded as one of the leading wineries in the Okanagan Valley, Mission Hill Family Estate Winery planted its first vines in 1981 with the vision of creating a thriving vineyard on top of Mount Bushiri, an extinct volcano. In 1994, the family-owned estate went on to win the award for the best chardonnay at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, cementing the Okanagan Valley as the place to watch for groundbreaking wine. Complete with a 12-story bell tower and European architecture, the West Kelowna estate—which features a tasting room, restaurant, and amphitheater—offers impeccable views of Okanagan Lake and even more impressive wines to sip.
Wines to try: 2019 Perpetua and 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
NK’MIP Cellars
As the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America, NK’ MIP Cellars aims to honor its culture while paying respect to the land with every bottle of wine the estate produces. The vineyard sits on the land owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band surrounded by soaring mountains and mirrored lakes. NK’MIP Cellars' wine village houses a tasting room, restaurant, and amphitheater, as well as a number of little shops showcasing works from Okanagan’s finest art and craft producers.
Wines to try: Talon 2019 and Dreamcatcher 2021.
CedarCreek Family Estate
CedarCreek Family Estate utilizes the cool climate of North Okanagan to develop deeply complex pinot noir wines with rich, berry-forward tasting notes. The estate often cites their dedication to building a healthy ecosystem filled with animals and various plants as the reason for their highly flavorful wine. While enjoying a meal at the estate's renowned Home Block Restaurant, guests can almost be certain to see a pair of Scottish Highland cattle roaming through the vineyard.
Wines to try: Pinot Noir Rosé and 2020 Simes Vineyard Natural Pinot Noir.
Tantalus
Overlooking the shores of Lake Okanagan, the origins of Tantalus date back to 1927 when local horticulturist JW Hughes first planted table grapes. Previously known as Pioneer Vineyards, proprietor Eric Savics acquired the land in 2004 and used the old vine plantings to develop three flagship varietals. Today, Tantalus is regarded as one of Canada's top producers of riesling and built British Columbia’s first LEED-certified winery.
Wines to try: 2019 Old Vines Riesling and 2019 Blanc de Noir.
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