Vineyards and Wine Tours
The main regions of the province well known for wineries include the Okanagan Valley, Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, the Similkameen Valley,
Gulf Islands and Fraser Valley.
Vineyards of British Columbia
In Canada, the British Columbia wineries and vineyards are internationally recognized for producing some of the world's finest wines. BC produces award winning wines thanks to the moderate growing climate, the high number of quality brew masters living in the province and the ideal soil conditions.
The climate creates a longer fermentation process which in turn produces a lighter, fruitier wine. It is an ideal situation for producing wines higher in acids and more aromatic. And an aromatic wine does very well on a global market.
The cycle of producing British Columbia wines tends to follow the seasons. In the spring, usually around March, the local wineries and vineyards begin their wine tours and wine tasting events. The BC wineries continue to entertain through the summer tourist season offering tours, wine tasting events and wine classes.
In the fall, around October, the new grapes are ready to be harvested from the vines. During the fall season the new wines begin the fermenting process and the old wines stacked in the cellar go through final racking. A process referred to as the "turning of the barrels".
During the winter months British Columbia brew masters and vintners turn their attention to quality control. Some of the attention to detail includes topping up casks, checking on the fermentation process and wiping down barrel bungs.
There are hundreds of British Columbia vineyards and wineries. The main regions of the province well known for wineries include the Okanagan Valley, the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, the Similkameen Valley, some of the Gulf Islands and the Fraser Valley.
The Okanagan Valley wines were the first to gain international recognition and open the doors for others to follow. It really should be of no surprise to anyone that BC is successful in wines… because since the early 1800’s Canadians have been known as pioneers in wine making.