Oliver is known as the Wine Capital of Canada. While a rapidly changing industry might cause some to dispute this title, there's no doubt that Oliver is right in the heart of the Okanagan Valley appellation with more than two dozen wineries surrounding the town.
Oliver lies in the heart of three distinct Thompson Okanagan winemaking regions. Most wineries are open year round for tasting and tours, some seasonally or by appointment. Expect to find solid table wines and wines of true distinction – reds, whites, rosés, sparkling wines and Icewines – recognized internationally with a host of awards in prestigious competitions. Pair a vintage with specially crafted dishes at a winery restaurant or with local artisan cheeses and nibbles for an impromptu picnic on the winery grounds. The views are as good as the wines. Be sure to appoint a designated driver, learn to spit or leave the driving to a local tour guide.
The Golden Mile
Wineries of The Golden Mile are located south of Oliver on the western slopes of the valley. Well-drained gravel, clay and sandy soils produce varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Wineries in this area run the gamut from the log cabin tasting room of Fairview Cellars to the upscale Tinhorn Creek complex, which offers a self-guided tour of the demonstration vineyard and barrel room along with concerts and theatrical performances in an outdoor amphitheatre.
Black Sage Bench
Across the valley and stretching south, the Black Sage/Osoyoos sub-region flattens out. On very deep sand it produces Bordeaux varietals, Chardonnay and Shiraz. Quinta Ferreira makes wines in the Portuguese style. Burrowing Owl, probably the best-known winery in this area, hosts guest rooms and a restaurant. Take the self-guided tour of the bell tower, interpretive displays, cellars and viewing platform. At the southern end of this region, visit Nk'Mip Cellars, the first aboriginal-owned winery in North America. After tasting, learn more about the First Nations of the Okanagan at the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre.
Corkscrew Drive
From Oliver, head north 21km/13mi to Okanagan Falls. This area hosts the highest elevation vineyards in the Okanagan and wineries with some interesting stories behind their names. Find out about Blasted Church and See Ya Later Ranch.
Grape Growing in Oliver
Climate and soil are major contributing factors to successful grape cultivation. Located in the southern part of the semi-arid Okanagan Valley, Oliver receives an average of just 319mm/12.6in of precipitation annually.
Winters are short and relatively mild while summers are hot, with average July/August temperatures topping those of the Napa Valley in California. Its northerly latitude accounts for very long hours of intense sunshine during the critical growing season, again, more than Napa. The last ice age left well-drained deposits of sand and gravel and well-developed irrigation systems provide water from the Okanagan River.
Drop by the Oliver Visitor Centre at 6431 Station Street for winery brochures, maps and information on guided tours.
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