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WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORT2023 VINTAGE REPORT
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTSUMMARYThe unpredictable and extreme weather that grape growers are facing across the world again left its mark on the 2023 vintage in British Columbia. Temperatures in the winter of 2022-2023 dropped to unprecedented levels, not seen for many decades. Temperatures dropped as low as -30°C on December 22 in some regions causing signicant bud damage, vine top loss and, in some cases, vine death. Estimates were that the overall BC wine grape crop would be down 56% with 22% of the vines needing to be replanted. Some areas were hit more signicantly with 90-100% crop loss while others, often close to the moderating effect of the lakes, saw little to no bud damage.After unparalleled cold, the weather extremes then shifted again. The vines were a little slow to start in the spring, with budbreak delayed in most areas, but then 2023 turned to unmatched heat that resulted in every interior wine region recording its highest Growing Degree Days (GDD) on record. The small harvest took place in perfect, warm, fall conditions with the resulting grapes ripe in avour.
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTSUMMARYThe unpredictable and extreme weather that grape growers are facing across the world again left its mark on the 2023 vintage in British Columbia. Temperatures in the winter of 2022-2023 dropped to unprecedented levels, not seen for many decades. Temperatures dropped as low as -30°C on December 22 in some regions causing signicant bud damage, vine top loss and, in some cases, vine death. Estimates were that the overall BC wine grape crop would be down 56% with 22% of the vines needing to be replanted. Some areas were hit more signicantly with 90-100% crop loss while others, often close to the moderating effect of the lakes, saw little to no bud damage.After unparalleled cold, the weather extremes then shifted again. The vines were a little slow to start in the spring, with budbreak delayed in most areas, but then 2023 turned to unmatched heat that resulted in every interior wine region recording its highest Growing Degree Days (GDD) on record. The small harvest took place in perfect, warm, fall conditions with the resulting grapes ripe in avour.
INTERIOR REGIONS
INTERIOR REGIONS
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTOKANAGAN VALLEYOKANAGAN VALLEYThe 2023 vintage in the Okanagan Valley continued the trend of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns. The year started off with a winter that was not kind to growers in this region. One particularly devastating cold winter night in late December sent temperatures to as cold as -30°C in some areas of the valley doing signicant damage to buds, killing some vines, and culminating in a signicantly reduced crop throughout the valley. Some unfortunate growers lost 100% of their 2023 crop while others, in pockets that remained warmer, saw little damage.The spring started off slowly and budbreak was delayed for most producers. Later in the spring things warmed up quickly, and the vines caught up rapidly with owering occurring at a normal time, or even early for many vineyards, particularly those with a reduced crop due to the winter damage.The hot weather then didn’t stop and continued into the summer and combined with little rainfall during the growing season, the vines growth cycle advanced rapidly. Veraison was ahead of normal and then the combination of a small crop, warm weather, no heat spikes to temporarily shut down growth, and dry conditions meant ripening continued at a quick pace. Wildres were again a prominent news story although wind patterns and duration of smoke exposure were varied, and producers were split as to whether they expected any smoke impact in the wines. Harvest was completed early under warm, sunny, fall conditions with high sugar levels, moderate acids, ripe tannins and good avour intensity in the grapes. Yields, overall, were down more than 50% across the region.Accumulated GDD across all Okanagan Valley sub-regions broke records. Summerland – 1634 West Kelowna – 1807 Naramata Bench – 1815 Okanagan Falls – 1639 Golden Mile - 1852 Osoyoos - 1835
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTOKANAGAN VALLEYOKANAGAN VALLEYThe 2023 vintage in the Okanagan Valley continued the trend of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns. The year started off with a winter that was not kind to growers in this region. One particularly devastating cold winter night in late December sent temperatures to as cold as -30°C in some areas of the valley doing signicant damage to buds, killing some vines, and culminating in a signicantly reduced crop throughout the valley. Some unfortunate growers lost 100% of their 2023 crop while others, in pockets that remained warmer, saw little damage.The spring started off slowly and budbreak was delayed for most producers. Later in the spring things warmed up quickly, and the vines caught up rapidly with owering occurring at a normal time, or even early for many vineyards, particularly those with a reduced crop due to the winter damage.The hot weather then didn’t stop and continued into the summer and combined with little rainfall during the growing season, the vines growth cycle advanced rapidly. Veraison was ahead of normal and then the combination of a small crop, warm weather, no heat spikes to temporarily shut down growth, and dry conditions meant ripening continued at a quick pace. Wildres were again a prominent news story although wind patterns and duration of smoke exposure were varied, and producers were split as to whether they expected any smoke impact in the wines. Harvest was completed early under warm, sunny, fall conditions with high sugar levels, moderate acids, ripe tannins and good avour intensity in the grapes. Yields, overall, were down more than 50% across the region.Accumulated GDD across all Okanagan Valley sub-regions broke records. Summerland – 1634 West Kelowna – 1807 Naramata Bench – 1815 Okanagan Falls – 1639 Golden Mile - 1852 Osoyoos - 1835
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTSIMILKAMEEN VALLEYThe Similkameen Valley also experienced the cold winter snap in December of 2022 that caused signicant yield loss to some vineyards. The hot, dry weather after an initially delayed budbreak saw owering, veraison and harvest all ahead of schedule. Picking conditions were ideal with warm, sunny weather into October allowing grapes to be picked at optimum ripeness. Overall the yield was very low due to the winter bud damage but quality was high. Fruit concentration was high with ripe, intensely avoured grapes.GDD was 1634 from the Cawston Station.THOMPSON VALLEYThe Thompson Valley experienced a similar vintage to the other interior BC wine regions. The Thompson Valley also saw similar issues with cold temperatures in December 2022 that caused bud kill resulting in signicant crop loss. Hybrid varieties and buried or geotextile covered vinifera vines fared better but still showed some damage from the extreme temperatures. The growing season that followed was dry and hot with early owering, veraison and harvest dates. GDD was 1685, far above record the record high of 1534 in 2015.SIMILKAMEEN VALLEYTHOMPSON VALLEY
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTSIMILKAMEEN VALLEYThe Similkameen Valley also experienced the cold winter snap in December of 2022 that caused signicant yield loss to some vineyards. The hot, dry weather after an initially delayed budbreak saw owering, veraison and harvest all ahead of schedule. Picking conditions were ideal with warm, sunny weather into October allowing grapes to be picked at optimum ripeness. Overall the yield was very low due to the winter bud damage but quality was high. Fruit concentration was high with ripe, intensely avoured grapes.GDD was 1634 from the Cawston Station.THOMPSON VALLEYThe Thompson Valley experienced a similar vintage to the other interior BC wine regions. The Thompson Valley also saw similar issues with cold temperatures in December 2022 that caused bud kill resulting in signicant crop loss. Hybrid varieties and buried or geotextile covered vinifera vines fared better but still showed some damage from the extreme temperatures. The growing season that followed was dry and hot with early owering, veraison and harvest dates. GDD was 1685, far above record the record high of 1534 in 2015.SIMILKAMEEN VALLEYTHOMPSON VALLEY
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTLILLOOET KOOTENAYSLILLOOETLillooet also saw a hot, dry vintage with a small crop due to signicant bud damage from the December freeze. Budbreak was initially delayed, but then temperatures increased rapidly and the hot, dry conditions saw owering, veraison and harvest at normal levels for this warm region. As records were broken in all interior regions, Lillooet too recorded its highest GDD ever, but not signicantly hotter than vintages such as 2014 and 2015.GDD was 1737, beating the 2014 record of 1713.KOOTENAYSThe Kootenays region didn’t experience temperatures as cold as other interior wine regions although it was still cold enough to cause bud damage that reduced the crop by around 50%. The season started off quickly with an early budbreak and then followed with hot, dry weather resulting in advanced dates for all growth stages of the vine and an early harvest showing ripe avours in all varieties. GDD in Creston was 1546, more than 100 GDD above the hottest years of 2021 and 2015.
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTLILLOOET KOOTENAYSLILLOOETLillooet also saw a hot, dry vintage with a small crop due to signicant bud damage from the December freeze. Budbreak was initially delayed, but then temperatures increased rapidly and the hot, dry conditions saw owering, veraison and harvest at normal levels for this warm region. As records were broken in all interior regions, Lillooet too recorded its highest GDD ever, but not signicantly hotter than vintages such as 2014 and 2015.GDD was 1737, beating the 2014 record of 1713.KOOTENAYSThe Kootenays region didn’t experience temperatures as cold as other interior wine regions although it was still cold enough to cause bud damage that reduced the crop by around 50%. The season started off quickly with an early budbreak and then followed with hot, dry weather resulting in advanced dates for all growth stages of the vine and an early harvest showing ripe avours in all varieties. GDD in Creston was 1546, more than 100 GDD above the hottest years of 2021 and 2015.
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTSHUSWAPSHUSWAPThe northern latitude of the Shuswap contributed to winter temperatures hitting -30°C and causing signicant bud damage, trunk damage and some vine loss, lowering the crop signicantly. Like the other interior regions, after the cold winter, the spring, summer, and fall were very warm resulting in advanced growth throughout the season and an early harvest of fruit with higher brix and ripe avours. GDD in Salmon Arm was 1348, 100 above the previous high set in 2015.
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTSHUSWAPSHUSWAPThe northern latitude of the Shuswap contributed to winter temperatures hitting -30°C and causing signicant bud damage, trunk damage and some vine loss, lowering the crop signicantly. Like the other interior regions, after the cold winter, the spring, summer, and fall were very warm resulting in advanced growth throughout the season and an early harvest of fruit with higher brix and ripe avours. GDD in Salmon Arm was 1348, 100 above the previous high set in 2015.
COASTAL REGIONS
COASTAL REGIONS
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTFRASER VALLEYVANCOUVER ISLANDFRASER VALLEYAs always, the proximity of the Fraser Valley to the moderating inuence of the coast gives vastly different growing conditions than experienced in the interior. The winter was mild with no winter bud damage and the growing season that followed didn’t show the same heat as the interior. In the end, GDD for 2023 was similar to the long-term average of the region. The vintage started off at a steady pace with normal to late budbreak and owering reported before warmer, dry conditions started and veraison and harvest ended up early. The result was grapes with riper avours than typical for the region. GDD at Langley Central was 979, close to average.VANCOUVER ISLANDVancouver Island had an excellent vintage in 2023. The Island was hit with a cold snap and unseasonably cold temperatures in the winter, but the moderating effects of the coast avoided any damage to the vines. Budbreak was reported as normal to late but temperatures then began to increase in the spring with warmer than normal conditions resulting in owering taking place earlier, or similar to normal timing. Rainfall varied by location through the spring but by summer, all producers reported above average temperatures and signicantly less rainfall than normal making for ideal ripening conditions and lower disease pressure. As a result, veraison was ahead of schedule and the grapes ended up coming in to the wineries at higher sugar levels than in a typical year. Yields were close to average overall with very high quality reported, Pinot Noir the standout variety.GDD was 1176 at North Cowichan, close to the record of 1181 in 2014.
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTFRASER VALLEYVANCOUVER ISLANDFRASER VALLEYAs always, the proximity of the Fraser Valley to the moderating inuence of the coast gives vastly different growing conditions than experienced in the interior. The winter was mild with no winter bud damage and the growing season that followed didn’t show the same heat as the interior. In the end, GDD for 2023 was similar to the long-term average of the region. The vintage started off at a steady pace with normal to late budbreak and owering reported before warmer, dry conditions started and veraison and harvest ended up early. The result was grapes with riper avours than typical for the region. GDD at Langley Central was 979, close to average.VANCOUVER ISLANDVancouver Island had an excellent vintage in 2023. The Island was hit with a cold snap and unseasonably cold temperatures in the winter, but the moderating effects of the coast avoided any damage to the vines. Budbreak was reported as normal to late but temperatures then began to increase in the spring with warmer than normal conditions resulting in owering taking place earlier, or similar to normal timing. Rainfall varied by location through the spring but by summer, all producers reported above average temperatures and signicantly less rainfall than normal making for ideal ripening conditions and lower disease pressure. As a result, veraison was ahead of schedule and the grapes ended up coming in to the wineries at higher sugar levels than in a typical year. Yields were close to average overall with very high quality reported, Pinot Noir the standout variety.GDD was 1176 at North Cowichan, close to the record of 1181 in 2014.
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTGULF ISLANDS ICEWINEGULF ISLANDSThe Gulf Islands experienced similar conditions to those on Vancouver Island. A temperate spring, warm, dry summer with lower disease pressure and good ripening conditions led to high quality grapes, Pinot Noir being the standout. GDD at Saturna Island was 1050, similar to many moderate to warm vintages on the Islands.BC ICEWINEOnly three wineries ended up harvesting grapes as Icewine for the 2023 vintage, the 12 tonnes the lowest crop on record. Icewine from 2023 will be a rare nd! Harvest took place between January 11-15, 2024, at temperatures between -13 to -19°C. The largest harvest was 10 tonnes of Ehrenfelser.LONG TERM AVERAGES:Long-term Growing Degree Day (GDD) data as referred to in the report.Source Farmwest.com: https://farmwest.com/climate/calculators/growing-degree-days/ And Environment Canada. Includes GDD April 1 to October 31 with a base of 10C.DIGITAL VERSION:Find a digital version of the 2023 Vintage Report at WineBC.com
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTGULF ISLANDS ICEWINEGULF ISLANDSThe Gulf Islands experienced similar conditions to those on Vancouver Island. A temperate spring, warm, dry summer with lower disease pressure and good ripening conditions led to high quality grapes, Pinot Noir being the standout. GDD at Saturna Island was 1050, similar to many moderate to warm vintages on the Islands.BC ICEWINEOnly three wineries ended up harvesting grapes as Icewine for the 2023 vintage, the 12 tonnes the lowest crop on record. Icewine from 2023 will be a rare nd! Harvest took place between January 11-15, 2024, at temperatures between -13 to -19°C. The largest harvest was 10 tonnes of Ehrenfelser.LONG TERM AVERAGES:Long-term Growing Degree Day (GDD) data as referred to in the report.Source Farmwest.com: https://farmwest.com/climate/calculators/growing-degree-days/ And Environment Canada. Includes GDD April 1 to October 31 with a base of 10C.DIGITAL VERSION:Find a digital version of the 2023 Vintage Report at WineBC.com
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORT“The 2023 vintage really was remarkable in many ways. While our Zweigelt in West Kelowna cropped at less than one ton/acre, the ripeness, brix and avour was incredible. All ripe raspberry and peppery punchy. The season really crescendoed all at once across the vineyards we manage. Our Cabernet Franc in Oliver had great balance with the ratio of esh to skin on the lower yielding vines turning out to be a real pleasure to work with. Sauvignon Blanc from Boucherie Road in West Kelowna was another stand out variety. The kaleidoscope of tropical fruit was obvious right from the start of fermentation.”— Ruth King, Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley“2023 was one of the most interesting and most challenging harvests I have done so far. As a result of the sudden cold winter (Dec. 2022), we harvested a smaller crop (33%), which led to an amazing concentration of fruit avours. The white wines are showing great structure and fullness on palate with delicate aromatics and the reds have phenomenal colour and avour concentration, yet they still show elegance. A small but great vintage! Denitely one to remember.”— Alex Nel, Fort Berens Estate Winery, Lillooet“We experienced uniquely higher levels of ripening than we’re used to seeing here in the Shuswap. Our Siegerrebe is showing some beautiful avours with particularly intense aromatics, whilst our Foch is a lot bolder than your average vintage!”— James Clark, Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery, Shuswap“In the wake of the 2023 growing season, Vancouver Island’s grape growers and vintners found themselves celebrating a triumph of nature’s bounty. With minimal if any winter damage thanks to the moderating inuence of the coast, followed by one of the driest springs and summers on record, disease pressure remained low and quality soared.”— Kalem Magny, 40 Knots Winery, Vancouver Island“We had a bumper crop from our Thompson Valley vineyards. Quality was generally good though it was a rush to get everything off before sugars skyrocketed in the warm weather. Acids maintained surprisingly well given the heat, so there’s a bit more freshness than I would have expected from such a hot year. Cabernet Franc in particular seems to be showing pretty well with great structure.”— Galen Barnhardt, Monte Creek Winery, Thompson Valley“The 2023 growing season in Creston was off to an early, although this is not abnormal for the area, the growth that followed progressed extremely quickly. A warm summer reduced the number of shoots and resulted in a small crop. The resulting white wines were higher in alcohol and very avourful with lots of tropical notes. Pinot Noir, our only red variety, was light in crop but had great aromatics and developed plenty of tannins to work with.”— Wes Johnson, Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, KootenaysVOICES OF THE VINE BC WINEMAKER INSIGHTS
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORT“The 2023 vintage really was remarkable in many ways. While our Zweigelt in West Kelowna cropped at less than one ton/acre, the ripeness, brix and avour was incredible. All ripe raspberry and peppery punchy. The season really crescendoed all at once across the vineyards we manage. Our Cabernet Franc in Oliver had great balance with the ratio of esh to skin on the lower yielding vines turning out to be a real pleasure to work with. Sauvignon Blanc from Boucherie Road in West Kelowna was another stand out variety. The kaleidoscope of tropical fruit was obvious right from the start of fermentation.”— Ruth King, Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley“2023 was one of the most interesting and most challenging harvests I have done so far. As a result of the sudden cold winter (Dec. 2022), we harvested a smaller crop (33%), which led to an amazing concentration of fruit avours. The white wines are showing great structure and fullness on palate with delicate aromatics and the reds have phenomenal colour and avour concentration, yet they still show elegance. A small but great vintage! Denitely one to remember.”— Alex Nel, Fort Berens Estate Winery, Lillooet“We experienced uniquely higher levels of ripening than we’re used to seeing here in the Shuswap. Our Siegerrebe is showing some beautiful avours with particularly intense aromatics, whilst our Foch is a lot bolder than your average vintage!”— James Clark, Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery, Shuswap“In the wake of the 2023 growing season, Vancouver Island’s grape growers and vintners found themselves celebrating a triumph of nature’s bounty. With minimal if any winter damage thanks to the moderating inuence of the coast, followed by one of the driest springs and summers on record, disease pressure remained low and quality soared.”— Kalem Magny, 40 Knots Winery, Vancouver Island“We had a bumper crop from our Thompson Valley vineyards. Quality was generally good though it was a rush to get everything off before sugars skyrocketed in the warm weather. Acids maintained surprisingly well given the heat, so there’s a bit more freshness than I would have expected from such a hot year. Cabernet Franc in particular seems to be showing pretty well with great structure.”— Galen Barnhardt, Monte Creek Winery, Thompson Valley“The 2023 growing season in Creston was off to an early, although this is not abnormal for the area, the growth that followed progressed extremely quickly. A warm summer reduced the number of shoots and resulted in a small crop. The resulting white wines were higher in alcohol and very avourful with lots of tropical notes. Pinot Noir, our only red variety, was light in crop but had great aromatics and developed plenty of tannins to work with.”— Wes Johnson, Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, KootenaysVOICES OF THE VINE BC WINEMAKER INSIGHTS
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORT
WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORTWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 VINTAGE REPORT