Six Okanagan regions recognized for wine making, grape growing

Six areas in the Okanagan Valley are being recognized for grape growing and wine making.

The province will be requiring wine made in, and with grapes grown in, East Kelowna Slopes, Lake Country, South Kelowna Slopes, Summerland Bench, Summerland Lakefront and Summerland Valleys have the geographical information included on labels.

“When a bottle of BC VQA [Vintners Quality Alliance] wine is purchased, the consumer knows they have a bottle of assured quality and origin that is 100 per cent B.C.,” said Miles Prodan, president, Wine Growers British Columbia.

“Today’s approval of six new sub-GIs [sub-geographical indications] in the Okanagan Valley, a region known for having diverse soil types, climatic conditions and resulting styles of wine, represents official recognition of areas that stand out as having consistently unique terroir. The introduction of sub-regions of notable sense of place is the natural next step in the evolution of our wine industry, and a win for consumers and wine growers alike,” Prodan added.

Each of the sub-geographical indications have clearly defined boundaries based on subtle differences in growing conditions.

B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture says defining geographic zones on wine labels will help consumers make connections with the unique geographic area where grapes are grown and wine is made, while also increasing exposure to the region for both wine and tourism businesses.

“O’Rourke Family Vineyards has always been dedicated to being 100 per cent estate grown and 100 per cent Lake Country,” said Stephanie Stanley, wine maker, Peak Cellars. “As the ones who initiated the sub-GI process, along with a dedicated team of fellow Lake Country grape growers and wineries, we are thrilled to officially celebrate Lake Country as a sub-GI! Both O’Rourke Family Estate (Nikki Callaway, wine maker) and Peak Cellars wineries are proud to state Lake Country on 100% of our labels, recognizing that our vineyards are planted within a very special area in the north Okanagan Valley.”

There are nine geographical indications in B.C., including the Okanagan Valley and Shuswap, and the six new sub-GI’s will bring the provincial total up to 12.

More than 60 different grape varieties are produced in B.C., including merlot, pinot gris, pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, gewurztraminer, cabernet franc, syrah, riesling and sauvignon blanc.