Organic: A technique for growing grapes without using chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides or commercial fertilizers.*

Geography: The southern Okanagan Valley in the area between Oliver and the border is classified as part of the Sonora Desert, which runs south to the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.

Terroir: The sandy soil of the Black Sage Bench near Oliver reaches 300 feet deep in places.

Acidity: This natural tartness in grapes and other fruits contributes to vibrant flavours.*

Clone: The mutation of a species. Growers select and propagate clones selected for such desirable qualities as early ripening, vivid flavour and deep colour.*


*Schreiner, John - British Columbia Wine Country, Whitecap Books Ltd., 2003

 
 
 

While the modern era for the Wines of British Columbia began about 15 years ago, grapes have been grown and wine made here since 1859. Oblate missionary Father Charles Pandosy planted the first vineyard at the Oblate Mission near Kelowna with commercial grape production for wines starting in the 1920’s.

The modern era in British Columbia winemaking began in 1990 in response to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada and the United States. Less-desirable labrusca varieties were pulled out and the popular commitment to producing quality wines began with widespread premium vinifera plantings.

For the first time, in 2005, British Columbia’s premium wines (VQA) became the top-selling premium wine category in the province, selling more premium wine than any other region or country.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE
  1859: Oblate missionary Father Charles Pandosy plants the first vineyard for religious and personal use at the Oblate Mission, near present-day Kelowna.  
  1907: Earliest record of commercial grape production in Salmon Arm, by W.J. Wilcox.  
  1916: Canadian Prohibition begins.  
  1921: Growers’ Wine Company of Victoria uses loganberries and then labrusca grapes for wine production, becoming the first commercial winery in BC.  
  1926: Jesse Hughes, who obtains vine cuttings from W.J. Wilcox, and plants over 200 acres by 1930, establishes the BC wine industry in earnest. The pioneers of viticulture in BC include the Dulik and Schmidt families as well as the Casorso and Rittich brothers.  
  1931: Calona opens as the first commercial winery in the Okanagan.  
  1930’s-1960: Extensive planting of French hybrid and labrusca continues.  
  1966: Approximately 2000 acres of vineyard are now planted in BC.  
  1968: Development of Inkameep Vineyards begins, backed by Andres Wines and the Department of Indian Affairs. Riesling and Ehrenfelser varietals are imported from Europe. The vineyards constituted the first major planting of vinifera in the southern Okanagan.  
  1968-9: Severe winter damages 70 per cent of vines with temperatures dropping to -25°C.  
  1970’s: Best-selling Canadian wines are sparkling labrusca and Okanagan Riesling.  
  1974: The government brings in 4000 vinifera vines to experiment with new varieties at 18 different sites.  
  1975: Germany’s renowned Geisenheim Institute conducts trial cultivation of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Blanc as well as many German crossings, establishing the viability of vinifera vines in the Okanagan Valley.  
  1977-1982: Wineries CedarCreek, Sumac Ridge, Mission Hill and Gray Monk are established.   
  1979: First great pullout of Vitis Labrusca with over 20 per cent removed and replanted with vinifera and French hybrids.  
  1984: Only 13 wineries are in operation in BC.  
  1988: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada and the United States opens the market and puts pressure on wine growers to focus on quality. A grant of $28 million is allocated for a replanting program. $8100 per acre is paid to growers to remove undesirable varieties. Roughly 2400 acres removed, leaving 1000 acres of premium vinifera plantings.  
  1990: VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) is adopted as BC wine law, ensuring that all provincial VQA wines are 100 per cent produced in BC and have passed a sensory evaluation.  
  1990: The British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI) is founded to supervise and control production standards, to act as a generic marketing association for the BC industry, and to liaise with government.  
  1992: The first plantings of vinifera on Black Sage Road in the southern Okanagan. Other growers follow with increasing plantings of vinifera.  
  1994: BC wines begin to win medals and awards. Mission Hill Grand Reserve Chardonnay 1992 wins Avery Trophy for “Best Chardonnay Worldwide” at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London, a significant accolade.  
  1999: University of British Columbia creates the Wine Research Centre, which quickly becomes a leading research institute worldwide with a particular focus on microbiology and the role of yeast in fermentation.  
  2000-04: Rapid growth of new vineyards and wineries. Vincor begins joint venture with Bordeaux’s Groupe Taillan to produce ultra-premium Meritage-style wines, under the brand “Osoyoos Larose”.  
  2004: Over 90 wineries, 232 independent growers and 5,462 acres of vines planted.  The Okanagan Valley is responsible for over 92 per cent of wine production in British Columbia.  
  2004: Private interests invest in the Okanagan by purchasing existing wineries. Hester Creek Winery and Pinot Reach Cellars sell for approximately $5 and $3 million, respectively.  
  2004: Awards and medals continue with Jackson-Triggs’ winemaker named Winemaker of the Year at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, North America’s largest and most prestigious wine judging event.  
  2005: Sales of VQA wines exceed $120 million dollars. BC VQA Wines become the number one selling premium wine category in the province for the first time.  
  2005: Ontario’s Andres Wines purchases Cascadia Brands involving the Calona Artist Series and Sandhill brands in the deal. Andres also purchases Red Rooster later in the year.  
  2005: CedarCreek wins Canadian Winery of the Year for the second time. (First win in 2002.)  
  2006: Awards continue with Jackson-Triggs’ 2004 Grand Reserve Shiraz winning the prestigious Shiraz/Syrah of the year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London - a first ever for a North American winery.  
  2006: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan wins Canadian Winery of the Year for the third time. (First win in 2003, second in 2004.)  
  2007: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan wins the Canadian Producer of the year at the London International Wine & Spirit Competition.  
  2007: Mission Hill Family Estate is announced as the 2007 Canadian Winery of the Year (for the second time, in 2001 they were the inaugural winner), making the Okanagan a regional clean sweep for 7 straight years of winning the Canadian Access award.  
  2008: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery is awarded the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Trophy for the World’s Top Icewine - the first category Trophy awarded in the past four years.  
  2008: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan awarded the 2008 Canadian Winery of the Year by Wine Access Magazine. This is the fourth time Jackson-Triggs Okanagan has won the Canadian Winery of the Year title, and the eighth year in a row an Okanagan winery has won this prestigious award.  
  2008: Mission Hill Family Estate makes another mark on the international stage. The Terrace Restaurant receives a prestigious honour that includes it in the company of the most renowned winery estates in the world. In its February 2008 issue, Travel + Leisure magazine names Mission Hill Family Estate's Terrace Restaurant one of the top five winery restaurants in the world. In an article titled "Top Winery Restaurants" the industry leading publication refers to Mission Hill Family Estate as "the centerpiece of the Canadian wine tourism industry" and the Terrace as "one of the most glorious dining experiences around."  
  2009: British Columbia is chosen as the feature wine region for the 2009 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival (VPIWF). The VPIWF is one of the largest and preeminent wine festivals in North America with over 25,000 trade, media and consumers attending. 58 BC wineries were amongst the 183 wineries from 15 countries who participated in 61 events throughout the 6 day festival.  
  2009: Sandhill Wines is named the 2009 Canadian Winery of the Year by Wine Access Magazine. This is the ninth year in a row that an Okanagan winery has received this honour.  
 
© 2006 British Columbia Wine Institute.  All rights reserved.