BC Wine

Grape growing has become the dominant use of farm land in the Okanagan Valley. Members of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board are questioning the long-term viability of grape growing, following two recent severe cold snaps. (Black Press file photo)

Viability of vineyards questioned in South Okanagan Similkameen

Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen directors ponder practicality of growing grapes

 

Miles Prodan, president and CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia, says the current trade dispute with Alberta remain unresolved as the industry faces a “dire” situation after this winter’s cold snap. (Photo courtesy Canadian Press)

B.C. wineries faces ‘dire’ situation as Alberta trade dispute remains sour

Miles Prodan of Wine Growers British Columbia says industry faces ‘perfect storm’

 

Maxwell Brayer was crowned Canada’s Top Young Sommelier at a competition on the first weekend of March 2024, winning the opportunity to take his prestigious pallet across the pond in October. (Chaîne des Rôtisseurs/Submitted)

Kelowna vino virtuoso vying to be world’s Top Young Sommelier

In October, Max Brayer will represent Canada at the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs International Young Sommelier Competition in Portugal

 

A fire truck is driven through a vineyard while battling a wildfire in Peachland, B.C., on Monday September 10, 2012. Consumers can expect a smaller selection of local vintages hit retail shelves as British Columbia’s wine industry grapples with the fallout of two years’ worth of significant crop losses from cold snaps that followed severe wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bitter Harvest: climate change provides ‘clean slate’ for B.C. wine industry

Signs suggest a limited selection of B.C. wine will hit retail shelves as industry recovers

A fire truck is driven through a vineyard while battling a wildfire in Peachland, B.C., on Monday September 10, 2012. Consumers can expect a smaller selection of local vintages hit retail shelves as British Columbia’s wine industry grapples with the fallout of two years’ worth of significant crop losses from cold snaps that followed severe wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Temperatures of more than 50 cumulative hours below -20 C in parts of North Okanagan in January have wreaked havoc on fruit crops. (UBCO file photo)

Up to 99% crop loss anticipated in B.C. wine industry cold snap catastrophe

Wine Growers British Columbia report expects 1-3% yields, and most of those in southwestern B.C.

Temperatures of more than 50 cumulative hours below -20 C in parts of North Okanagan in January have wreaked havoc on fruit crops. (UBCO file photo)
Federal government has not come to the table to help hurting wine and fruit growers who could be suffering near devastation of crops from January’s freeze. (Black Press file photo)

No immediate federal help coming for B.C.’s devastated fruit and wine growers

South Okanagan MP takes to the floor to push for aid but feds offer no promises

Federal government has not come to the table to help hurting wine and fruit growers who could be suffering near devastation of crops from January’s freeze. (Black Press file photo)
The provincial government is promising additional support for Okanagan wine growers impacted by a shortage of grapes and a trade dispute with Alberta. (Black Press Media file photo)

Premier Eby questions Alberta’s reasoning behind trade dispute over B.C. wine

B.C. promises additional support as interprovincial wine dispute brews up

The provincial government is promising additional support for Okanagan wine growers impacted by a shortage of grapes and a trade dispute with Alberta. (Black Press Media file photo)
Penticton Rotary Club hosted chair of the BC Winegrowers Christa-Lee McWatters to speak on the state of the B.C. wine industry on Wednesday. The meeting was held at McWatters restaurant Orolo. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Glass half full for future of climate-challenged B.C. wine industry

chair of BC Winegrowers Christa-Lee McWatters speaks about ‘unprecedented challenges’

Penticton Rotary Club hosted chair of the BC Winegrowers Christa-Lee McWatters to speak on the state of the B.C. wine industry on Wednesday. The meeting was held at McWatters restaurant Orolo. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
To plan your visit to Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country,including destinations like Phantom Creek Estates, pictures here, head to oliverosoyoos.com. Photo courtest Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country

Why every season is right for exploring B.C.’s Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country

When is the best time to venture into the heart of British…

  • Nov 6, 2023
To plan your visit to Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country,including destinations like Phantom Creek Estates, pictures here, head to oliverosoyoos.com. Photo courtest Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country
Maan Farms winery manager Gaurav Maan holds a bottle of the 2022 raspberry fruit wine, which recently won an award. (Lauren Collins)

Uncorking a gold medal: B.C.’s Maan Farms wins best fruit wine of the year

In business for over 40 years, the farm has won nearly as many medals as years it’s been in business

Maan Farms winery manager Gaurav Maan holds a bottle of the 2022 raspberry fruit wine, which recently won an award. (Lauren Collins)
Karnail Singh Sidhu started making wine at Kalala Organic Estate Winery in 2006 before opening the doors to the public in 2008. (Brittany Webster)

From engineer to winemaker, an Okanagan success story

Sidhu moved from India to the Okanagan with his family in 1993

  • Jul 9, 2023
Karnail Singh Sidhu started making wine at Kalala Organic Estate Winery in 2006 before opening the doors to the public in 2008. (Brittany Webster)
Township 7 manager Cody Karman said the Langley winery and its vineyards escaped the worst effects of last year’s winter weather, but didn’t emerge completely unscathed, either. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

A B.C. winery managed to escape the worst of a very bad winter, but isn’t unscathed

‘Very peculiar’ weather dealt a blow to B.C. growers

Township 7 manager Cody Karman said the Langley winery and its vineyards escaped the worst effects of last year’s winter weather, but didn’t emerge completely unscathed, either. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
B.C. wine growers are forecasting significant losses, with crop yields cut by as much as 56 per cent, due to a severe cold snap that gripped the province in December 2022. (Pixabay.com)

B.C. wine grape crop ‘devastated’ by winter cold snap

The cold snap cut this year’s crop by up to 56 per cent; Okanagan and Similkameen most affected

B.C. wine growers are forecasting significant losses, with crop yields cut by as much as 56 per cent, due to a severe cold snap that gripped the province in December 2022. (Pixabay.com)
Head winemaker at O’Rourke Family Estate, Nikki Callaway, shows off her award-winning chardonnay. (Brittany Webster/Black Press)

World-class Okanagan winery wins international accolade

Aromatic, soft, floral wine can’t be compared to other regions of the world

  • May 11, 2023
Head winemaker at O’Rourke Family Estate, Nikki Callaway, shows off her award-winning chardonnay. (Brittany Webster/Black Press)
Hester Creek Estate Winery in Oliver has won the B.C. Winery of the Year for 2023 from Great Northwest Wine Magazine. (Hester Creek)

Hester Creek Winery in Oliver named B.C. winery of the year

Hester Creek winemaker gives away secret to creating the perfect sparkling too

Hester Creek Estate Winery in Oliver has won the B.C. Winery of the Year for 2023 from Great Northwest Wine Magazine. (Hester Creek)
Numerous beer varies are produced in British Columbia. Do you know which country leads the world in beer consumption? (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: A celebration of wine and beer

Raise a glass in a toast to these popular beverages

Numerous beer varies are produced in British Columbia. Do you know which country leads the world in beer consumption? (Black Press file photo)
West Kelowna wine country, pictured in October 2020. (Phil McLachlan - West K News)

B.C. wine industry still recovering, looking to return to pre-pandemic boom

The wine industry contributed $3.75 billion to the province economy in 2019

West Kelowna wine country, pictured in October 2020. (Phil McLachlan - West K News)
Blue Mountain Vineyards and Cellars in Okanagan Falls has decided not to bottle their 2021 vintage due to smoke taint caused by the Thomas Creek wildfire last summer. (Blue Mountain Chardonnay vines)

Okanagan winery’s 2021 vintage ruined by wildfire smoke

Smoke contamination caused Blue Mountain Vineyards and Cellars not to bottle last year’s wines

Blue Mountain Vineyards and Cellars in Okanagan Falls has decided not to bottle their 2021 vintage due to smoke taint caused by the Thomas Creek wildfire last summer. (Blue Mountain Chardonnay vines)