Oliver / Osoyoos
The south end of the Okanagan, where the landscape turns to semi-desert. Long, hot days. Cool nights. Soils ranging from sandy loam on the Black Sage Bench to clay and gravel on the Golden Mile. This is where BC's most serious reds come from: Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot-based blends that can age a decade or more.
Naramata / Okanagan Falls
Naramata Bench runs north from Penticton along the east shore of Okanagan Lake, producing wines with more tension and freshness than the south, with elegant reds, whites with real structure, and some of the better rosé in the province. Okanagan Falls has quietly become one of the most interesting clusters of small producers in BC.
Kelowna
The commercial heart of BC wine country, but some of the oldest vineyards in the province are here. Okanagan Lake moderates temperatures in both directions, giving Kelowna the range to produce everything from sparkling to late-harvest. Tantalus and Sperling are the ones we keep coming back to.
Similkameen Valley
BC's smallest wine region and one of its most interesting. The valley runs east-west through the Cascades with extreme diurnal temperature swings and gravelly alluvial soils. Organic farming is widespread. Clos du Soleil and Orofino are two compelling reasons to pay attention to Cawston.
Fraser Valley
Less than two hours from Vancouver, the Fraser Valley is an emerging wine region with a cooler, wetter climate than the Okanagan. Whispering Horse, in Yarrow near Chilliwack, is making some of BC's more unusual whites from their Vedder Mountain vineyard.
Gulf Islands
Cool, maritime, and producing small quantities from boutique estate producers. The wines lean toward aromatic whites, skin-contact styles, and natural winemaking. A Sunday in August, out of Salt Spring Island, is exactly the kind of producer this region attracts.
Vancouver Island
The Cowichan Valley is the most established sub-region. Maritime climate means white wines and Pinot Noir are the natural strengths. Averill Creek makes some of the most serious wine coming off the island. Blue Grouse has been at it for decades. Shelter Point and Ampersand are two of BC's most serious distilleries.
Metro Vancouver
Vancouver doesn't grow grapes, but it's the heart of BC's craft beer scene. Strange Fellows, Four Winds, Dageraad, Powell Street, Parallel 49, and more. Sons of Vancouver on the North Shore is the city's standout craft distillery.
