The dramatic beauty of the Pacific Northwest is legendary.  Leading roles in this natural drama are played by verdant coastal ranges and the rugged Cascade Mountains, projecting beauty and inspiration across its regional stage.

    Geologic histories assume equally major roles in regional weather systems -- roles that determine the varieties and success of  wine-grape growing throughout Pacific Northwest wine regions.  British Columbia Wine Country is no exception.

     Without prejudice of national or political boundaries, the spectacular Cascade Mountains rise to high elevations throughout Oregon, Washington and southern BC.   Elevations of more than 14,000 feet easily prevent westerly flows of cooler, wetter weather systems from moving east.  A huge "rain shadow" to the east of the Cascades, creates substantially warmer and drier conditions for vineyards located in the Okanagan and Similkameen wine regions.

      Wine-country travelers in southwestern BC find wineries and vineyards on both sides of the Cascades.  To the west of the mountain range, wineries are scattered within three "Designated Viticultural Areas" -- the Vancouver Island Region, the Gulf Islands and the Fraser Valley Region, where the weather is mild and relatively wet.  

      To the east of the Cascades lie the popular and drier Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley wine regions, including the 124-mile stretch of the Okanagan Valley that begins in Canada's only true desert environment adjacent to the U.S. border, moves north through a variety of microclimates, ending in an area that favors cool-climate viticulture.  Weather in the Similkameen and the Okanagan regions is more extreme than that to the west of the mountains.

Use our Winery & Merchant Finder to locate addresses and
telephone numbers of specific British Columbia wineries.

      Many different soil and weather variations in the Okanagan combine to create ideal growing conditions for a wide variety of wine grapes.  This diversity makes it conceivable to visit neighboring vineyards in the region that produce completely different wines.  Located in BC's south central interior, the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys are the oldest and largest of this province's wine-producing areas -- both in size and in the number of active wineries.

     Between BC's two wine regions in the west and its major Okanagan and Similkameen wine regions to the east, the traveler finds a wide selection of varietal wines, primarily produced from French and German vinifera grapes from big, ripe reds to fresh, cool whites, and rich, sweet Icewine made from grapes left to freeze naturally on the vine. Approximately 20 years ago, government-sponsored, experimental vineyard plots helped winemakers discover which varietals ripened properly and were able to survive BC's consistently frosty winters.  Since then, vineyard managers and winemakers have made good use of the knowledge gained, and have worked together to refine the art of viticulture in BC.  Many international and regional awards attest to their success. 
 

     Trademark wine products for the Province are crisp, fruity white wines and scrumptious dessert wines, including late harvest wines and Icewines (picked and crushed while frozen).  More and more red wine grapes are being grown in the southern Okanagan and the Similkameen Valleys, where the hot, desert climate and long, northern-latitude growing season create microclimates well suited for many red varietals.  Cool nights in these warmer areas prevent the breakdown of acids caused by constant heat.  Plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, among others, are now scattered throughout this southern area.  

     Pinot noir is also widely planted in British Columbia wine regions. In the southern Okanagan Valley, intense hot, dry summers, coupled with harsh, cold winters, produce quality fruit for a variety of distinctive wines.

Touring British Columbia
Wine Regions

     The overview map and links below allow you to explore the wineries operating in each of BC's wine regions.  Watch for links to nearby lodging, dining, special events and touring opportunities organized by region. Click on the region of your choice or the map below.

   Okanagan and Similkameen Regions

   Fraser Valley Region

   Vancouver Island Region     

Gulf Islands

Copyright ©  1999 - 2009
Susan R. O'Hara.  All rights reserved.
Last revised: 04/21/2009

British Columbia
Wine Facts

 

Number of Wineries
2009 - 180
2008 - 148
2006 - 132
2005 - 120
2003 - 72
1999 - 63
1995 - 32
1990 - 17
1988 - 13

 

Vineyard Acreage

2008 - 7,500 acres
2006 - 5,462 acres
1999 - 4,200 acres
1994 - 2,149 acres
1989 - 1,000 acres

Number of Vineyards
(Independent growers & wineries)

Major Wines
Produced
 

TOP 10 WHITES
(By acreage planted)

Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer,
Pinot Blanc,
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling,
Ehrenfelser, Semillon,
Viognier, Auxerrois,

 

TOP 10 REDS
(By acreage planted)

Merlot, Pinot Noir,
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Syrah, Cabernet Franc,
Gamay Noir, Marechal Foch, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Sweigelt,

Additional Varieties
Bacchus, Ortega, Vidal,
Pinot Meunier, Semillon,  Kerner, Madeleine Angevine,  Müller Thurgau, Optima, 
Baco Noir, Schonburger,
Chenin Blanc, Chancellor,
Seyval Blanc, Scheurebe,  Silvaner

WINE STYLES
Icewine, Late-Harvest,
Sparkling, Still & Fortified

Ratio of White to Red
48% to 52%

2007 wine production
13,394,757 litres (est)

Wine Regions
Designated Viticultural Areas

Fraser Valley
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Vancouver Island
Gulf Islands