The vineyards of Nk'Mip Cellars are located on the eastern shore of Lake Osoyoos.

Wine production, quality and tourism are booming in the Okanagan Valley, the predominant wine district of five within British Columbia, Canada. The other officially designated viticultural areas are: Fraser Valley, Gulf Islands, Similkameen Valley and Vancouver Island.

The boom enjoyed by 107 wineries in the Okanagan Valley has been generated in great part by the region’s proximity to economically vibrant Vancouver and petrochemical- and cattle-rich Calgary, thereby minimizing sales and marketing expenditures to other parts of Canada or export markets.

 

Grapegrowing has existed since the 1850s, with the “modern era” beginning in the early 1990s, following the provincial government’s NAFTA-induced scheme to replace labrusca with vinifera and British Columbia’s Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) initiative instigated by Harry McWatters (formerly of Sumac Ridge) and Gray Monk’s George Heiss. Labrusca now accounts for less than 1% of total plantings. When the pull-out scheme finished there were 800 planted acres—there are more than 10,000 acres today.

White varieties surpassed red plantings in 2010. Pinot Gris has been the most popular white variety, with Pinot Noir and Merlot the top reds. Whereas the nearness of the Pacific Ocean would lead one to think rainfall during the growing season is an ongoing threat, Okanagan’s southernmost Osoyoos growing district is the only official desert of the “great white north.”

Coming from diverse backgrounds and types of winemaking experience, the five winery leaders interviewed have unique stories to share.

Andrew Peller Ltd.