The Okanagan Valley
The Similkameen Valley
The Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island
The Gulf Islands

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

Botrytis: A fungus that attacks grape skins. In favourable conditions, it dehydrates grapes, allowing the production of intense dessert wines.*

Tannin: A compound in the skin and seeds of grapes that is essential in providing substance and backbone to red wines.*

History: In 1859, Oblate missionary Father Charles Pandosy planted the first vineyard at the Oblate Mission near present-day Kelowna.

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


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

 
 
HISTORY
 

The winery that established the Fraser Valley as a credible wine-growing region was Domaine de Chaberton. It opened in 1991 south of Langley, close to the US border.

CLIMATE
 

There are climatic variations across the Fraser Valley with certain areas receiving lower rainfall than others. While there is significant precipitation in the fall and spring, July and August can be very dry and growers must practice irrigation.

Frost is not a major concern, although this is a challenging climate with limited degree days - resulting in potential lack of ripeness in certain vintages, particularly with late ripening varieties. Given that the region is in the coastal area, humidity – leading to powdery mildew and Botrytis – is a concern.
SOILS
 

The fertile delta south of the Fraser River is Vancouver’s agricultural hinterland.  Soils are predominantly silty and high in organic matter.

TOPOGRAPHY
 

Generally flat but with occasional rolling hills.
PREDOMINANT VARIETIES
 

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Germanic white varietals, others.
 
© 2011 British Columbia Wine Institute.  All rights reserved.