Fermentation: The natural process in which yeast converts sugar to alcohol.*

Hybrid: Grape varieties developed, typically by crossing European varieties with native North American varieties. The plant breeder’s objectives include developing varieties that ripen early, resist disease or are winter-hardy.*

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

Expansion: There are now over 175 grape wineries in BC and several licenses pending, up from just 13 in 1984.

Geology: Mt. Boucherie (near Kelowna), home to a number of wineries, is an extinct volcano.

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