In fact, the Okanagan Valley (located in the central BC Thompson Okanagan region) was named one of Frommer's Top Travel Destinations in 2007 and BC's wines regularly win national awards, including Mission Hill Family Estate, which won "Winery of the Year" at the 2007 Canadian Wine Awards.
BC offers an amazing variety of wines
There are more than 130 wineries across three regions, with an astounding 60 varieties of grapes being grown in BC - from the traditional varietals, to the exotic.
The most popular-selling BC wines are Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Blended Reds and Pinot Noirs.
What makes BC's wines special?
The northernmost region of grape growing and winemaking in North America, BC has the ideal setting and climate for cultivating cool-climate grapes. The province also produces some of the world's most sought-after icewines - a sweet dessert wine made from grapes harvested at a temperature ranging between -8 and -13 degrees Celsius (18 and 9 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively), and often by moonlight! In 2008, Mission Hill Family Estate won the International Wine Challenge (IWC) trophy for the world's top icewine at Europe's major wine competition.
BC's mix of topography and geology together with its lakes, fresh air and intense sunlight create a very unique growing environment. BC has a shorter growing season than many other wine regions, but the long hours of daylight and the intensity of the light, in combination with other environmental factors, make for exceptionally fresh fruits with a very pure flavour.
Types of Wineries and Vineyards
Wineries in BC range from large facilities with enormous outputs, to small, family-run operations where wine can only be purchased direct from the winery.
Nearly all wineries offer tours, tastings and onsite sales throughout the year, but "high season" usually runs from April until October, and it's a good idea to call ahead during the off-season. Many also operate gourmet restaurants and casual bistros.
The Vintners Quality Alliance and wine designations
Wine lovers visiting BC may also come across references to the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA), which is a national symbol of quality wine, similar to the AOC in France or the DOC in Italy. The designation guarantees that wine is produced using strict quality guidelines to ensure a superlative product is available to consumers.
In BC, the VQA standard is regulated by the British Columbia Wine Authority. Each wine is evaluated by a panel of experts who ensure that appellation standards are met or exceeded. Several smaller wineries do not participate in the VQA program, which does not mean that they produce a lower standard of wine - you'll have to just try them all!
Wine Routes
Burgundy and white signs with a picture of a bunch of grapes guide visitors to wineries throughout the province. Signs indicate direction and number of kilometres from the highway - so be on the lookout!