Wineries in BC

Expansion: There are now 136 wineries in BC and a further 7 with licenses pending, up from just 13 in 1984.

Terroir: The Okanagan Valley has five officially recognized sub-regions – Kelowna, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Golden Mile, and Black Sage/Osoyoos.

Terroir: Borrowed from the French, this term encompasses the entire environment–soil, climate, aspect–that makes a vineyard special.*

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