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

Clone: The mutation of a species. Growers select and propagate clones selected for such desirable qualities as early ripening, vivid flavour and deep colour.*

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

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

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.*


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

 
 
GULF ISLANDS - SALT SPRING ISLAND
 

WINERIES VISITED

 

1. Salt Spring Vineyards

 
 

Salt Spring has long been home to artisans, crafts people, musicians, artists and organic growers, drawn there by the beauty, solitude and like-minded people committed to life off the beaten path.

With more than 10,000 colourful residents, Salt Spring Island is also a popular long weekend and vacation getaway for residents of both Vancouver and Vancouver Island. There are cottages, campsites and B&B’s available for accommodation, but it’s best to book well ahead, especially in the summer.
THE TOUR
 

NOTE: Open from noon, daily. In the off-season, call 1-250-653–WINE for hours of operation.

You’ll arrive at Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring Island from either the Swartz Bay or Tsawwassen BC Ferry terminals. You can also reach Salt Spring Island by float plane. The flight time from Vancouver is 20 minutes and only 15 minutes from Victoria.

Salt Spring Vineyard's setting high on Lee Hill overlooking the Fulford Valley ensures that late spring frosts are unlikely to harm the grapes.  If you’ve ever ridden a bicycle on Salt Spring, you’ll know its location intimately. It’s at the top of the hill where you stop and pat yourself on the back for having made it.

Salt Spring Vineyard received its winery license in 2002 and was the first winery on the island, for thirty minutes. Their neighbours down the hill received theirs just a little bit later that same day.

Salt Spring Vineyard features the distinctly named Millotage: a blend of Leon Millot and Marechal Foch, cool climate grapes that take advantage of Saltspring’s cool climate status. It’s a medium bodied easy drinking red that holds up to garlic or tomato-based foods and pairs beautifully with locally-made blue cheese.

On Saturdays between April and October (8:30am – 3:30pm), be sure to visit the Village Farmers’ Market in Ganges before making your way back to your return ferry, but don’t lose track of time. If you miss your ferry, it could be the last one for the day – and then you will need a place to stay for the night!

TOTAL FERRY TIME (TSAWWASSEN): 1.5-3 HOURS
TOTAL FERRY TIME (SWARTZ BAY): 1-1.5 HOURS
TOTAL DRIVING TIME (ONE WAY): 10 MINUTES
FLOAT PLANE (VIC/VAN): 15-20 MINUTES
RECOMMENDED TOUR TIME: FULL DAY
DESIGNATED DRIVER
  Wines should be consumed responsibly. DO NOT taste and drive. Each winery will offer you several samples and over the course of a tour, and it is easy to consume far too much wine to be able to drive. Plan ahead and choose a designated driver before you begin your tour.
 
© 2006 British Columbia Wine Institute.  All rights reserved.