Geography: Lake Okanagan, at 144 kilometers long and 3.5 kilometers average width, is the source of much-needed water for irrigation for vines in the Okanagan Valley.

Sales: British Columbia VQA wine sales have doubled in the last six years to more than $155 million annually.

Meritage: Rhymes with heritage. A term created in California to identify blends made with Bordeaux grape varieties.*

More awards: Jackson Triggs Okanagan won the 2006 Rosemount Estate Trophy for Best Shiraz/Syrah of the year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London, England. A first for a North American Winery since they began awarding the trophy in 1994!

Awards: In 1994, Mission Hill Grand Reserve Chardonnay 1992 won the Avery Trophy for “Best Chardonnay Worldwide” at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London—the first major award win of the new era of BC winemaking.

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