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Organic: A technique for growing grapes without using chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides or commercial fertilizers.*

Awards: In 1994, Mission Hill Grand Reserve Chardonnay 1992 won the Avery Trophy for “Best Chardonnay Worldwide” at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London—the first major award win of the new era of BC winemaking.

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.

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.

History: In 1931, Calona Vineyards opened as the first commercial winery in the Okanagan.


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

 
 
SHUSWAP
 

WINERIES VISITED

 

1. Granite Creek Estate Wines
 

The Shuswap offers incredible scenic beauty and magnificent lakes. The city of Salmon Arm is at the centre of the Shuswap and is a year-round recreational paradise with water sports, golf, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking and hiking. Long ago, one of the first commercial wineries in the province was located in the area, but modern winemaking is still relatively new to the region. The Shuswap is named for the Shuswap Indians, an Interior Salish tribe, whose name may be derived from sixwt, meaning 'downriver.'
THE TOUR
 

The winery in this tour, Granite Creek Estate Wines, is one of British Columbia’s northernmost. Although north of the 50th parallel, the Shuswap enjoys sun-drenched days and cool evenings–the kind of climate grapes love.

Take the TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY west of Salmon Arm. At 14.4 km from the Centenoka Mall, turn SOUTH on TAPPEN VALLEY ROAD; proceed 5 km to SKIMIKIN ROAD.

Granite Creek is an estate winery whose owners’ tradition of agriculture in British Columbia goes back six generations. The winery is situated on a strategically located piece of land where the mix of soils, aspect, topography and climate, provide a microclimate perfectly suited to grape production.
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.