The Okanagan Valley
The Similkameen Valley
The Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island
The Gulf Islands
Varietal: When the grape variety in the wine is named on the label (Chardonnay, Merlot), the wine is a varietal.*

Brix: A measure of sugar in grapes: one degree Brix equals 10 grams of sugar per litre. Mature grapes are typically 21 to 25 Brix, equating to 11 to 13 percent alchohol after fermentation.*

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

Viticulture: Grapes for Icewine are harvested at -8° Celsius or lower, and often by moonlight.

Growing Regions: There are five main DVAs (Designated Viticultural Areas) in British Columbia — the Okanagan Valley, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Fraser Valley and the Similkameen Valley.


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

 
 
 

This is an exciting new region for viticulture. There are now vineyards and wineries on many Gulf Islands, including Salt Spring, Pender, Saturna, Quadra and Bowen.

CLIMATE
 

The mild climate of the Strait of Georgia is very conducive to grape-growing, although scarcity of water and extreme aridity in summer present challenges.  Like the Okanagan and Fraser valleys, the Gulf Islands region had a well-established fruit-growing and market-gardening tradition in the late 1800’s.

PREDOMINANT VARIETIES
 

A number of different varietals are planted including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay and others.
 
© 2006 British Columbia Wine Institute.  All rights reserved.