9 Must-Visit Award-Winning BC Wineries
Written by: Sheila Hansen | May 12, 2023
Did you know that BC wineries scoop up 1,200-plus prestigious awards each year? Blessed with a diverse range of fruit-friendly terroirs and an ever-growing pool of passionate vintners, the province is home to more than 325 licensed grape wineries—and the wine world is taking notice. Sip for yourself at one—or all nine—of these winning BC wineries.
Okanagan Valley, Near Kelowna
Summerhill Pyramid Winery’s organic vineyard. Photo: Summerhill Pyramid Winery Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Short-but-intense growing seasons and cold winters give rise to award-winning sparkling wines and Icewines. Tour the 32-hectare (80-acre) organic vineyard and star-aligned pyramid cellar, then cap it off with a farm-to-table lunch at the Bistro, complete with wine pairings.
CedarCreek Estate Winery | Andrew Strain CedarCreek Estate Winery
One of BC’s pioneering wineries, CedarCreek taps the cooler climes of its northerly site in Kelowna and hot dry properties of its Osoyoos vineyards. Their Platinum Collection consists of wines from single-vineyard sites that highlight a particular terroir.
Mission Hill Winery | Tanya Goehring Mission Hill Family Estate
Anchored by a 12-storey bell tower, Mission Hill beckons with limestone arches, underground cellars, and wines crafted from five family-owned estate vineyards in the Okanagan with varying climatic, soil, and slope characteristics. Mission Hill helped launch BC wine into the international spotlight, winning the Avery Trophy for Best Chardonnay Worldwide in 1994, and the accolades are still rolling in.
Okanagan Valley, Near Penticton
Lake Breeze
Perched high on the Naramata Bench overlooking Okanagan Lake, Lake Breeze has been tending its gently sloping vineyards for more than 2o years. Sample fruit-forward wines in the intimate tasting room and enjoy a perfectly paired glass with lunch at The Patio Restaurant.
Dining at The Vanilla Pod Restaurant at Poplar Grove Winery with views of Okanagan Lake and Penticton Poplar Grove Winery
Situated below Munson Mountain on the Naramata Bench’s south end, The Restaurant at Poplar Grove and their tasting room serve up six core wines. Hot summers and frost-free falls yield award-winning vintages.
Okanagan Valley, Near Oliver
Jackson-Triggs vines soak up the sun in Oliver. Photo: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Jackson-Triggs
Hot days tempered by cool night air off Osoyoos Lake make for ideal grape-ripening conditions at Jackson-Triggs. The winery burst onto the scene by scoring 2005 Winemaker of the Year; one year later, the 2004 Grand Reserve Shiraz took home the Shiraz/Syrah of the Year award at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London—a first for a North American winery.
Church & State’s tasting bar at its Oliver location. Photo: Church & State Wines Church & State Wines
Church & State’s vineyards benefit from the long evening sun and gravel-sand soils of the Black Sage Bench—ideal conditions for longer-ripening red grapes. Pony up to the minimalist tasting bar or nurse a flight on the patio.
Kamloops Area
Monte Creek Winery
Cool-climate grapes are taking a shine to this 530-hectare (1,300-acre) Thompson Valley working ranch set in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains. Nibble on farm-fresh fare and all-natural honey in the airy tasting room, or linger over a local artisan meat and cheese platter in the alfresco Terrace Restaurant with rocky-bluff-and-river views.
Fraser Valley, Langley
Backyard Vineyard’s Gold Medal winners include the 2016 Nosey Neighbour White. Photo: Nelson Mouellic Backyard Vineyards
With grapes ripened in the temperate Fraser Valley, Backyard Vineyards turns out a rich, full-flavoured Blanc du Noir Brut. In addition to this traditional-method sparkling wine, Backyard crafts several red and white varietal blends using select Okanagan grapes. Tip: these are best enjoyed in the outdoor log-beam gazebo.
Originally published in August, 2017
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