Wines of British Columbia Media Kit - 2023 : simplebooklet.com

THE WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIAFor us, being grounded is where it all begins. While our wine regions in British Columbia are distinct, they share rich, bountiful landscapes that deepen the bond between people and this place. Our unique cool-climate terroir provides premium conditions to produce exceptional wine, while the awe-inspiring beauty at every turn is cherished by visitors who arrive from near and far. Our winemakers are down-to-earth, with the grit, experience and renement to make wines that are a lasting expression of the place where they were grown and crafted. Thanks to them, our vibrant industry has been making a name for itself nationally and internationally for more than 30 years.In 1990, the British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) standard was created to guarantee consumers they were drinking wine made from 100% BC grown grapes. Today, BC VQA Wine dominate wine sales in British Columbia, and our wines are nding their way to more places than ever before, winning over both critics and consumers internationally.The Wines of British Columbia truly reect the land where the grapes are grown and the exceptional dedication and experience of the people who craft them.“BC is the here and now. The combination of the grape varieties you’re planting, and the vineyard expression is perfect. I’ve always described BC as the old world of the new world, because the new world is always trying to do something different. You’re doing what I think the old world has done and you’re tending to do it well and better.”~ Steven Spurrier“What I think is really exciting about BC wines is we’re tasting more and more like ourselves, our individual regions and individual sites. Our best examples are fresh on the palate, pure of fruit and really speak to our beautiful, cool, but hot climate.”~ Barb Philip, MW“BC wine is starting to pique the interest of wine lovers across the world. And while there isn’t much to ship because we like to drink nearly all the wine ourselves, many revered international commentators have become quite infatuated with the vibrant fruit and fresh acidity achieved so naturally in BC.”~ Rhys Pender, MW

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DID YOU KNOW? • British Columbia’s Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) designation celebrates 33 years of beautifully crafted 100% BC wines in 2023.• BC’s wine industry has grown from just 19 grape wineries in 1990 to more than 330 today (as of March 2023).• There are 12,681 acres (5,132 hectares) of wine grapes in British Columbia’s nine geographical indications (GIs): Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Thompson Valley, Lillooet, Shuswap, Kootenays and beyond.• Warmer and more arid than Napa Valley, the Okanagan Valley gets nearly two hours more sunlight per day than Napa during the peak of the July and August growing season.• The most planted red grapes are:o Merloto Pinot Noiro Cabernet Sauvignono Cabernet Franco Syrah / Shirazo Gamay Noir• The most planted white grapes are:o Pinot Griso Chardonnayo Gewürztraminero Rieslingo Sauvignon Blanco Viognier• In 2022, BC VQA wines won more than 1,500 medals in national and international competitions. With each new accolade, our wine regions continue to expand their reputation for quality and solidify their place amongst the best in the world.• The BC wine industry contributes $3.75 billion annually to British Columbia’s economy.• British Columbia’s wine industry provides stable, value-added farming and manufacturing jobs to more than 14,272 people in communities throughout the province.• Each year, BC’s wineries welcome more than 1,191,500 visitors.• The Wines of BC Explorer app allows wine enthusiasts to discover BC wine they’ll love through personalized expert recommendations on BC wines and wineries that match users flavour profiles, while providing specially curated lists of local BC wines and winery experiences to enjoy.

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6WHAT MAKES BRITISH COLUMBIA UNIQUE? YES, CANADA MAKES WINE. GREAT WINE. Internationally, it surprises many people that British Columbia even produces wine. Being so far north, above 49° latitude, the logical thought is that it must be too cold. Even those who accept that wine is made here expect it to be a marginal cool climate region, but British Columbia is like no other place on earth when it comes to growing grapes. BC has the unique combination of extreme heat and cold that results in intense fruit-driven, fresh and structured wines.NOT A COOL CLIMATE?With the vineyards north of 49° latitude, you would expect a very cool climate similar to other wine producing areas at this latitude, like the Champagne region of France and much of Germany, that are indeed very chilly places to grow grapes. The Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley, where most of British Columbia’s grapes are grown, belie their location and instead of being cool have a unique climate best described as a short, hot growing season with desert-like conditions.IT’S A DESERT While grapes are grown in many parts of southern British Columbia, 90% of all vineyards are in the Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley, a four-hour drive east from the city of Vancouver. Between Vancouver and wine country is the Coastal Mountain Range. These impressive mountains strip the moisture from the weather that comes from the Pacic Ocean and, while Vancouver is a coastal city, the Okanagan and Similkameen enjoy dry, desert-like conditions. Annual precipitation (combined rainfall and snow) levels range between 318 mm (12 inches) in Osoyoos on the USA border and 415 mm (16 inches) in Kelowna, 100 km (62 miles) to the north. The dry desert region of the south Okanagan Valley is the northern point of the network of deserts that stretch right through the USA and into Mexico. Low rainfall and lots of sunshine make it easy to farm sustainably and help produce pure, intensely fruit-driven wines.

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KamloopsSalmon ArmLillooetKelownaOsoyoosCrestonKeremeosVictoriaNanaimoCampbellRiverVancouverSeattlePrince GeorgeFRASER VALLEYGULF ISLANDSKOOTENAYSLILLOOETOKANAGAN VALLEYSHUSWAPVANCOUVERISLANDTHOMPSON VALLEYSIMILKAMEENVALLEYUNITED STATESALBERTAPACIFIC OCEANCOWICHAN VALLEYNARAMATA BENCHSOUTH KELOWNA SLOPESEAST KELOWNA SLOPESLAKE COUNTRYSUMMERLAND VALLEYSSUMMERLAND BENCHSUMMERLAND LAKEFRONTSKAHA BENCHOKANAGAN FALLSGOLDEN MILE BENCHGOLDEN MILE SLOPESCANADAUSABRITISH COLUMBIAGEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS OFLocationOURBC Wine is about place.A unique climate makesfor a unique place.Copyright ©2021Wine Growers British Columbia Society8GRAPEGROWING REGIONS AROUND THE WORLDGrowing Degree Days (measured in Celsius) is dened as the sum of the monthly mean temperature.OVER 10°C (50°F) DURING THE GROWING SEASONFraser Valley, BC 1,017Geisenheim, Germany 1,050Epernay, France (Champagne) 1,050Cowichan Valley (Vancouver Island), BC1,096Marlborough, New Zealand 1,200Burgundy, France 1,320Kelowna, BC 1,370Summerland, BC 1,397Yarra Valley, Australia 1,360Oliver, BC 1,448Okanagan Falls, BC 1,400Yakima, Washington 1,426Napa, California 1,450Niagara, Ontario 1,450Similkameen Valley, BC 1,561Osoyoos, BC 1,641GOING TO THE EXTREMESIt gets very hot and yet it can get very cold in British Columbia vineyards, and often on the same day. The diurnal temperature swing (between day and night) can be as much as 30°C (86°F), something very rare anywhere else in the world. Temperatures in the winter can dip below -20°C (-4°F) and then hit +40°C (104°F) in the summer. Grapegrowing in British Columbia is about extremes. The cool nights have a big impact on wine quality. While the sun and heat create intense fruit avours in the wines, the cool nights preserve natural acidity keeping the wines fresh and lively – a signature trait of the Wines of British Columbia.LET THE SUN SHINEThe northern latitude also has a big advantage when it comes to sunlight. During the peak of the growing season, British Columbia vineyards will see as much as two hours more sunlight per day than famed regions such as Napa Valley in California. This is like the vines enjoying an extra day of sunshine every week and, because of this, the vines rarely have trouble producing ripe, intensely avoured fruit, and are able to do it over a shorter number of days.A SHORT, HOT GROWING SEASONThe combination of dry conditions, hot days and long daylight hours with lots of sunlight means the Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley have a condensed, hot and intense growing season. Budbreak can start weeks after places like Bordeaux in France but harvest will often take place around the same time between September and October. This short, hot growing season is unique to British Columbia; there isn’t anything else like it in the world.BRITISH COLUMBIA IN A BOTTLEThis unique climate makes unique wines. The Wines of British Columbia have bright natural acidity along with ripe fruit with pure and intense avours. There is also natural tannin structure in the red wines that gives great ability to age. Our wines offer great acid, tannin, fruit and concentrated avours - naturally.

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10FROM COAST TO DESERT Even though much of the grapegrowing is concentrated within the Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley regions, there is a diverse group of other terroirs making interesting wine in British Columbia. On the coast, the regions of Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and the Fraser Valley all enjoy a moderate, maritime climate. Frontiers for grapegrowing have been established inland including Shuswap, Thompson Valley, Lillooet and Kootenays.THE AIR UP HEREAn often forgotten fact about British Columbia wine regions is that signicant altitude is involved. Vineyards range from around 300 metres altitude near Osoyoos up to around 600 metres for some hillside vineyards near the town of Oliver. The Similkameen vineyards range from about 400 to 480 metres. In many countries, these would be considered high-altitude vineyards, yet another extreme in the diversity of British Columbia’s terroir.DIGGING DEEPThe vineyards of British Columbia have an interesting geological history. The Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley have a diverse range of soils formed by everything from volcanic to glacial action. The result is a complex mix of soil formations, structures and types. Soils can also vary considerably even within a small area. Driving through the Okanagan Valley or Similkameen Valley and looking at the steep rocky cliffs, you get an idea of the diversity of soils that underlie the vineyards, which have been shaped by years of sedimentation, stream and meltwater deposits, glacial till, windblown deposits and colluvial action.DIVERSE TERROIR

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2022 AWARDSCHARDONNAY DU MONDE 2022SILVERSee Ya Later Ranch, Chardonnay 2020, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Nk’Mip Cellars, Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2019, Okanagan Valley BC VQA 50th Parallel Estate, Chardonnay 2019, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Nk’Mip Cellars, Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2020, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Noble Ridge, King’s Ransom Chardonnay 2019, British Columbia, BC VQA Kitsch, 11 Barrel Chardonnay 2018, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Black Hills Estate Winery, Chardonnay 2020 , Okanagan Valley, BC VQASYRAH DU MONDE 2022GOLDSee Ya Later Ranch, Rover Shiraz Viognier 2019, Okanagan Valley, BC VQASILVERSunrock Vineyards, Shiraz 2019, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA ALL CANADIAN WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2022BEST RED WINE OF THE YEARWesbert Winery Ltd., Syrah 2020, British Columbia, BC VQA DOUBLE GOLDTIME Family of Wines, N/V Evolve Cellars EffervescenceMoraine Winery, Shipuchka Frizzante 2021TIME Family of Wines, Chronos Chardonnay 2020Three Sisters Winery, Chardonnay 2020SpearHead Winery, Clone 95 Chardonnay 2020Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Dry Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2021Bench 1775, Viognier 2021Chaberton Estate Winery, Estate Grown Bacchus 2021Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery, Mingle 2021Whispering Horse Winery, La Crescent 2021TIME Family of Wines, Chronos Rosé 2021Road 13 Vineyards, Honest John’s Rosé 2021Chaberton Estate Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Sunrock Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Upper Bench Estate Winery, Estate Merlot 2018Monte Creek Winery, Living Land Cabernet Franc 2020Indigenous World Winery, Hee-Hee-Tel-Kin Red Blend 2019Lakeside Cellars, Syrah 2018Wesbert Winery Ltd., Syrah 2020Moon Curser Vineyards, Touriga Nacional 2020Eau Vivre Winery, Malbec 2019Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estates, Reserve Riesling Icewine 2018CASCADIA WINE COMPETITION 2022DOUBLE GOLD Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Private Reserve Pinot Gris 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Hester Creek Estate Winery, Old Vine Pinot Blanc 2021, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAStag’s Hollow Winery, Tragically Vidal 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAHester Creek Estate Winery, Viognier 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAHester Creek Estate Winery, Old Vine Trebbiano 2021, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAGOLD Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Dry Rock Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2021, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAPhantom Creek Estates, Kobau Vineyard Syrah 2019, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAHester Creek Estate Winery, Pinot Gris-Viognier 2021, Okanagan Valley , BC VQAHester Creek Estate Winery, Sémillon 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAUpper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery, Estate Chardonnay 2019, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Volcanic Hills Estate Winery, 2017 Merlot, Okanagan Valley , BC VQAGehringer Brothers Estate Winery, 2021 Ehrenfelser, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Old Vines Auxerrois 2021, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAGehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Desert Sun White Wine 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Gewürztraminer-Schönburger 2021, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Volcanic Hills Estate Winery, Reserve Chardonnay 2017, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Volcanic Hills Estate Winery, Gidda Family Estate Pinot Gris 2020, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAINTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION 2022TROPHY/GOLDBlasted Church Vineyards, Small Blessings Cabernet Sauvignon 2019GOLDJackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Winery, Reserve Riesling Icewine 2018DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS 2022PLATINUMJackson-Triggs Okanagan Estates, Reserve Riesling Icewine 2018GOLD Culmina Family Estate Winery, Unicus Grüner Veltliner 2020, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA CedarCreek Estate Winery, Platinum Haynes Creek Cabernet Franc 2019, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Reserve Syrah 2019, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Fox & Archer, Malbec 2019, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQABEST OF THE NORTHWEST: WINE BY SIP NORTHWEST PLATINUM Gray Monk, Odyssey Rosé Brut 2019, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Gray Monk, Chardonnay Unwooded 2021, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Sandhill, Sovereign Opal 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC VQASandhill, Rosé Terroir Driven 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC VQADOUBLE GOLD Gray Monk, Traditional Brut 2018, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Gray Monk, Gewurztraminer 2021, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Gray Monk, Siegerrebe 2021, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC VQAClos du Soleil, Signature 2019, Similkameen Valley, BC VQAGray Monk, Odyssey Meritage 2019, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Compendium 2017, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Quatrain 2017, Okanagan Valley, BC VQASAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITIONDOUBLE GOLD MEDAL Hester Creek Estate Winery, Cabernet Franc 2021, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC VQANk’Mip Cellars, Qwam Qwmt Riesling Icewine 2020, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA Nk’Mip Cellars, Mer’r’yim White Meritage 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA

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1859: Father Charles Pandosy plants vines at the Oblate Mission in Kelowna.1907: Earliest record of a serious attempt at grape production in Salmon Arm by W.J. Wilcox.1912-22: Canadian Prohibition.1921: Growers’ Wine Company of Victoria uses loganberries and then labrusca grapes for wine production.1932: Calona opensas the first commercial winery in the Okanagan.1930 - 1960: Extensive planting of labrusca varieties.1988:The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) opens the market and puts pressure to focus on quality. Roughly 2,400 acres of labrusca and French hybrids are removed leaving 1,000 acres of premium vinifera vines.1984:13 wineries inoperation in BC. 1977 - 1982:Becker project – 33 vinifera varieties proven to ripen and produce premium quality wines in the Okanagan Valley – a turning point for the industry.1974:The federal government brings in 4,000 vinifera vines to experimentwith new varieties at 18 different sites.1966:Total BC vineyard plantings reach 2,000 acres.1962:The first French hybrids are planted by Stewart and Capozzi families.1990:Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) standards are put into place in BC.1992:In their first year, sales of BC VQA Wine in BC top $6 million CAD. 1994:1927:BC wines begin to win awards. Mission Hill Family Estate’s Grand Reserve Chardonnay 1992 wins the Avery Trophy for “Best Chardonnay Worldwide”at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London, stunning the wine world.1995:An estimated 30 wineries are in operation in BC.2005:BC VQA Wine becomes the number-one-sell-ing premium wine category in the province for the first time ahead of all other wine-im-porting countries. Estimated 81 wineries in operation.2004:Awards and medals continue, with Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate’s winemaker Bruce Nicholson being named Winemaker of the Year at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition.2003:Sales of BC VQA Wine in BC top $63 million CAD.An estimated 81 wineries in operation.2006:133 wineries in operation. Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate’s Grand Reserve Shiraz wins Shiraz/Syrah of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London - a first ever for a North American winery.2009:Sales of BC VQAWine in BC surpass$166 million CAD.174 wineries in operation.2010:Summerhill Pyramid Winery recieves the trophy for Best Bottle Fermented SparklingWine at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London, a first for a Canadian winery.2015:Golden Mile Benchnamed as BC’s firstsub-appellation. BC VQA celebrates 25years of excellence.2016:Provincial Govern-ment announces new regulations for creating sub-appella-tions in BC.2017:Canadian wine and grape industry research study shows the BC wine industry contributes $2.8 billion annually to BC’s economy, and draws one million visitors generating $600 million.2018:Provincial Government announces four new appellations: Thompson Valley, Shuswap, Lillooet, Kootenays. Okanagan Falls named BC’s second sub-appel-lation.2019:Provincial Government announces two new sub-appellations: Naramata Bench and Skaha Bench.Canadian wine and grape industry research study shows the BC wine industry contributes $3.75 billion annually to the economy.2020:BC VQA celebrates 30 years of beautifully crafted wine.Provincial Government announces the fifth sub-appellation in BC: Cowichan Valley, the first sub-appellation to be officially recognized outside of the Okanagan Valley.2021:Provincial Government announces one new sub-appellation in the Okanagan Valley: Golden Mile Slopes.2022:Provincial Government announces six new sub-appellations in the Okanagan Valley: Lake Country, East Kelowna Slopes, South Kelowna Slopes, Summerland Lakefront, Summerland Bench, and Summerland Valleys.2014:BC now boasts over 230 grape wineries and sales of BC VQA Wine exceed $220 million CAD.There are now more than 200 grape wineries in British Columbia. BC VQA Wine sales exceed $196 million CAD.2011:2012:Summerhill PyramidWinery becomes the first vineyard in BC to receive their BiodynamicDemeter Certification.2013:Mission Hill Family Estate Winery receives an International Trophy for Best Pinot Noir under 15£ at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards. This is the first time a Canadian winery has won an international trophy at these awards.J.W. Hughes planted vineyardsin the Kelowna area at what is now Tantalus Vineyards.1927: HISTORY OF THE WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIAWITH THE SIGNING OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA), THE MODERN BC WINE INDUSTRY WAS BORN BRINGING WITH IT VAST IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE BC TERROIR AND RAPIDLY IMPROVED QUALITY WINES.

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1615VINEYARD ACREAGE“The wines are exciting and fresh with a purity of fruit that also offers a sense of place. It is amazing to see the caliber of wines coming from this region and the rest of the world should be paying attention.”– Katelyn Peil“In the last decade I’ve witnessed the BC wine industry ourish with high-quality wines of distinct provenance. The diverse terroirs and unique combination of northern latitude, elevation, lake effects, desert conditions, and glacial inuences, has set the stage for world-class wine production and that’s exactly what’s happening and it’s remarkable!”– Matt Steeves“The hardest part of establishing a wine region is to make good, quality wines. BC is there, now it’s time to share it with the world.”– Karen MacNeilTHE PASTEven with a history of growing grapes for more than 100 years, the modern BC wine industry is quite new, really only beginning in the early 1990s. Before this time, with the exception of a few industry pioneers, most of the grapes were hybrids and the focus was on quantity rather than quality. In the 1990s everything changed with the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the United States. From this point, the only way to compete was on quality and the subsequent planting of quality vinifera varieties saw the beginning of the modern wine industry. With the onset of free trade, two-thirds of the grape acreage was removed leaving only 1,134 acres of grapes in 1990, only half of which was estimated to be quality vinifera grapes. It was from this small beginning that the exciting industry we see today was built.THE PRESENTInitially, the BC wine industry looked to the rest of the wine world for inspiration and the wines attempted to mimic some of the tried and true styles and techniques from other more established regions. While some very good wines were produced, it was realized that one cannot simply apply the recipe of one area to the unique conditions of BC’s wine regions. Now with more than 30 years of experience guring out the right place for the right grape, a true BC style of wine is being established. With many grapegrowers and winemakers having been involved in 10, 20 or more vintages, there is starting to be a great understanding of the unique British Columbian terroir. Now established as a quality wine region, the wines continue to gain in complexity and excellence as experience, ambition and vine age combine to make ever better wine.THE FUTUREWith a focus on terroir-driven wines, the industry is looking towards creating more sub-GIs to help tell the story. Sustainability, too, is a buzz word of the future for BC wine. The long, dry, sunny days of the BC interior provide the ideal conditions for organic and sustainable grapegrowing. These conditions also create ageable wines. The powerful avours, crisp acidity and bold tannins, give the perfect building blocks for wines to enjoy long cellaring. Quality levels will continue to rise as growers hone their practice, matching the best grapes to the most suitable sites and using their experience to harness the unique climate. PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE GROWTH IN GRAPE WINERIES2022 3352020 2842019 2822018 2802017 2762016 2752015 2552014 2322013 2172012 2122011 2012010 1822009 1702008 1542007 1342006 1312005 1192004 1022003 872002 722001 662000 601995 321990 1170250050007500100001500020192017201420112008200620041999199419901,4762,1464,2005,4626,6329,1009,86610,26010,49912,68111,086202212500

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1817THE PIONEERSWith the large number of wineries existing today, it is easy to focus on just the exciting developments happening now, forgetting how British Columbian wine got to this point. There are many fascinating stories along the way. Dick Stewart of the Stewart family, owners of Quails’ Gate Winery, started planting grapes before there was a bridge between Kelowna and the west side of Okanagan Lake. Most of it was hybrid varieties but one mis-order turned out to be the vinifera variety Chasselas, which he planted in 1961 and continues to be one of Quails’ Gate Winery’s best sellers. Earlier unsuccessful attempts with vinifera had been made close to Kelowna International Airport by the Rittich family. The problem early on was that the vine spacing was too wide with too much crop expected from each plant, something that made them weak when the winter freeze hit. More grapes were planted in the 1960s by the likes of George and Trudy Heiss of Gray Monk Estate Winery, while Andrew Peller had already planted a vineyard in the Similkameen Valley in 1959 before going on to plant the renowned Inkameep Vineyard in Oliver in the early 1970s. The 1970s was the rst time vinifera grapes started to take hold. Riesling vines at what are now Tantalus Vineyards and Sperling Vineyards, both in Kelowna, were planted in 1978.In the 1980s, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Gray Monk Estate Winery and what is now CedarCreek Estate Winery were some of the rst on the scene followed by Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery and what is now See Ya Later Ranch. All these pioneers have sacriced, with many trials and many errors, to gure out what works in the vineyard, shaping the industry we see today.BC VQA - 100% BC GRAPESBritish Columbia’s Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) is an appellation of origin system developed in 1990. Similar to those around the world, the BC VQA designation is a guarantee that you are purchasing 100% BC grape wine. BC VQA certied wines are also tasted by a qualied panel to ensure that they are fault free prior to being able to use BC VQA on their labels.The BC VQA program is operated by the BC Wine Authority, an independent regulatory body established by the province to oversee and enforce the Wines of Marked Quality Regulation.BRITISH COLUMBIA’S VINEYARD ACREAGE WINE REGIONS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA ARE CALLED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GIs).Nine regional GIs can be used on labels of BC VQA certied wine. If the grapes come from outside one of these GIs, or are blends from more than one GI, they will be labelled British Columbia.86% 6.1% 2.5% 1.5% .7% .9% .9% 1% .4%OkanaganValleySimilkameenValleyVancouverIslandFraserValleyThompsonValleyShuswap GulfIslandsKootenays Lillooet12,681 ACRES OF VINE IN BC** Acreage based on 2022 BC Wine Grape Acreage Report.

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20OKANAGAN VALLEYOKANAGAN VALLEY222 licensed grape wineriesCalona Vineyards was the rst winery opened in 1931TOP GRAPES PLANTED Merlot Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Chardonnay Cabernet Sauvignon Gewürztraminer Cabernet Franc Syrah Riesling Gamay Noir Sauvignon Blanc10,920 acres planted in the regionOKANAGAN VALLEYThe Okanagan Valley is synonymous with BC wine as it is by far the largest region, comprising 86% of BC’s vineyards and is home to the majority of its wineries. The climate is one of extremes, with temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) in the winter and as high as +40°C (104°F) in the summer. The growing season is typically short and hot with lots ofsunshine, long days and and low rainfall thanks to the moisture-stripping Coastal MountainRange. The vineyards are mostly planted on the low slopes of the sometimes steep valleywalls.The north-south direction of the Okanagan Valley results in vineyards on both the east and west sides of the valley. The east side is much warmer than the west side of the valley as it receives the hot afternoon sun long into the evening. There can be ripening differences of as much as two weeks for the same variety at the same latitude depending on which side of the valley it is planted.The dry conditions have benets and challenges. Because of low rainfall and snowfall, irrigation is essential. Pest and disease pressure is low due to the low levels of humidity and, because of this, sustainable and organic viticulture is becoming increasingly popular. The big challenge is when dry winter conditions combine with clear nights, losing the effect of clouds holding in heat, and cold arctic air ows in from the north that can send temperatures plunging and kill buds or even entire vines.The series of lakes beginning at Osoyoos Lake at the USA border through most areas of the Okanagan Valley provides some natural moderation of the harsh climate, protecting vineyards from spring and fall frosts and extremes of winter cold. Some areas, such as most of the vineyards around Oliver, do not have the protection of the lakes and can be more prone to temperature extremes, both hot and cold. Because of the large size of the Okanagan Valley with many different terroirs, new smaller sub-GIs are being created to reect the varying climate and grape varieties that are successful in the different parts of the valley. OKANAGAN VALLEY

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OKANAGAN FALLSNARAMATA BENCHSKAHA BENCHGOLDEN MILE BENCHGOLDEN MILE SLOPESSUMMERLANDBENCHSUMMERLANDLAKEFRONTSUMMERLANDVALLEYSEAST KELOWNASLOPESSOUTH KELOWNASLOPESLAKE COUNTRYOkanagan LakeOsoyoos LakeCANADAUSAOliverVernonCawstonOsoyoosKelownaKeremeosPeachlandPentictonSummerlandLake CountryWest Kelowna2221SUB-REGIONS OF THE OKANAGAN – THE NEXT PHASE IN BC TERROIRThe next phase in further identifying and understanding British Columbia terroir is to create sub-regions within the large Okanagan Valley linked to unique climates, soil types and resultant wine styles. As of 2022, 11 sub-GI’s have been established in the Okanagan Valley.In addition to the creation of sub-regions, many wineries also identify single-vineyard wines.The development of single-vineyard wines in British Columbia is not limited to small producers, but is a product of wineries, even those with many vineyards, putting a focus on terroir. It’s a realization that some sites will naturally produce higher-quality wines. These lots are being harvested, made and bottled separately and labelled with the vineyard name. In order to be labelled as a single-vineyard wine under the Wines of Marked Quality Regulation, 100% of the grapes must be sourced from the named vineyard. In the following pages, Wine Growers British Columbia breaks the Okanagan Valley down into the ofcial and unofcial sub-regions (from north to south). The unofcial sub-regions were identied based on climatic studies by scientists at the Summerland Research and Development Centre.SUB-GIS OF THE OKANAGAN VALLEY• Lake Country• East Kelowna Slopes• South Kelowna Slopes• Summerland Bench• Summerland Valleys• Summerland Lakefront• Naramata Bench• Skaha Bench• Okanagan Falls• Golden Mile Bench• Golden Mile SlopesUNOFFICIAL SUB-REGIONS IN THE OKANAGAN VALLEY• Osoyoos / Black Sage BenchLAKE COUNTRY SUB-GIThe Lake Country sub-GI, the Okanagan Valley’s most northern sub-region, encompasses an area of around 6178 acres of the west facing slopes and benches above Okanagan Lake. There are approximately 247 acres of vineyards planted in the sub-GI.Key elements of the region are the northerly latitude and cool climate, paired with west facing sloped vineyard sites which capture the late afternoon sunshine and warmth. The sub-regions proximity to the lake moderates temperatures and the gentle slopes provide good air drainage helping to create a long growing season. These elements are favourable to the production of light-bodied reds, crisp, refreshing whites, and delightful sparkling wines.247 acres planted in the region at time of designationGDD*: 1,445 (lake side sites)EAST KELOWNA SLOPES SUB-GIThe East Kelowna Slopes Sub-GI is an area of 6178 acres with around 203 acres of vineyard, mostly dened by the escarpment overlooking Mission Creek and the oodplain between Mission Creek and Bellevue Creek in south-east Kelowna. Some vineyards are close enough to benet from the moderating effects of Okanagan Lake.The northerly latitude of this sub-GI makes for a cool climate, but the gentle sloping vineyards have good air drainage making for a long growing season. Featuring prominently on the border of the East Kelowna Slopes sub-GI is the Mission Creek escarpment which wraps around the north of the region and then rises up to the rocky areas at elevations between 500-550 metres in the south towards Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. The south-west corner boundary is the escarpment overlooking Bellevue Creek.203 acres planted in the region at time of designationGDD*: 1,340 (East Kelowna)* GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022

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2423*GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022SOUTH KELOWNA SLOPES SUB-GIThe South Kelowna Slopes sub-GI encompasses an area of 1977 acres on the gentle, mixed glacial slopes in the South Mission area of the city of Kelowna.The northerly latitude results in a cool climate with the nearby Okanagan Lake having a big moderating inuence creating cooler days, warmer nights and a long growing season. The sub-GI stretches from lake level up to between 500-600 metres elevation where arable land exits. Elevation and aspect have an impact on temperatures within the sub-GI with extended growing degree days in lower sites that are closer to the lake.297 acres planted in the region at time of designationGDD*: 1,324 to 1,423 (depending on location)* GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022SUMMERLAND LAKEFRONT SUB-GIThe Summerland Lakefront sub-GI hugs the western shore of Okanagan Lake. Most of the vineyards have east or south-easterly aspects making for good sunny conditions and benetting from the moderating effects of the nearby lake. These vineyards mirror the Naramata Bench sub-GI across the lake. This sub-region spans 12km of lakefront from the Trout Creek delta to the elevated benches to the north.Moderate climate, gentle east facing slopes and proximity of the lake helps with a long, frost-free growing season. The sub-GI is 1880 acres in size with about 161 acres planted to vines.The former lake bottom soils (glaciolacustrine) are mostly stone free, silty soils on benches above the lake. The southern portion at the Trout Creek delta is just above lake level with more gravelly subsoils.161 acres planted in the region at time of designationGDD* 1397 (Summerland)SUMMERLAND BENCH SUB-GIEast of the southern portion of Summerland Valleys sub-GI is the Summerland Bench sub-GI. Most of the vineyards are in the area east and south of Giant’s Head Mountain. Total acreage of the Summerland Bench sub-GI is 4448 acres although much is bedrock or urbanized land.Of the approximately 1977 acres of plantable land, tree fruits still dominate. The eastern boundary joins with the lower elevation Summerland Lakefront sub-GI. The southern edge is the escarpment overlooking Trout Creek canyon.At mid-levels (420-600 metres) of elevation, this sub-GI covers the mostly glaciouvial (glacial meltwater) terraces around Giant’s Head Mountain. The soils are generally coarse textured, sandy, silty or gravelly and with good drainage to help control vigour and yields.148 acres planted in the region at time of designationGDD* 1397 (Summerland)SUMMERLAND VALLEYS SUB-GIThe Summerland Valleys sub-GI is an area of approximately 3336 acres in the higher elevation and cool climates of Prairie Valley and Garnet Valley above Summerland. The south-eastern portion of the sub-GI near Prairie Valley shares a border with the Summerland Bench sub-GI. Elevation ranges from 500 to 700 metres making this area home to some of the highest vineyards in the Okanagan.Due to elevation this is a distinctly cool climate sub-GI. Glaciation has produced many different soil types with 10 soil series present in the sub-GI. These have formed from a variety of parent materials: wind-blown ne sands overlying glacial till, gravelly and/or sandy glaciouvial deposits (glacial meltwater), silty glaciolacustrine (lake bottom) deposits, recent stream deposits and the decomposed organic materials making for a complex mix of terroirs.85 acres planted in the region at time of designationGDD*: 1,135 (Garnet Valley Weather Station, 2019)

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2625*GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022NARAMATA BENCH SUB-GIThe Naramata Bench sub-GI has 617 acres (250 hectares) of vineyards along the east side of Okanagan Lake between Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park in the north to Penticton Creek in the south. There are 43 wineries in the area. The west-facing aspect of the benches, with elevation ranging from around 400 to 700 metres, gets late afternoon and evening sun and there is excellent air drainage resulting in a long, moderately warm growing season with low frost risk. Merlot, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir together account for 62% of the acreage.617 acres planted in the region at time of designation GDD*: 1,309 (Penticton)* GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022GOLDEN MILE BENCH SUB-GIThe area historically known as the Golden Mile is located on the west side of the Okanagan Valley south of the town of Oliver and almost directly opposite the vineyards of the Black Sage Bench. Within this area is BC’s rst ofcial sub-GI, named Golden Mile Bench. Its southerly latitude makes it a warm region but its location on the west side of the Valley means it gets morning rather than afternoon sunshine making it a cooler region than its eastern neighbour. The vineyards of the Golden Mile Bench sub-GI are located on the bench 40 to 100 metres above the valley oor, giving enough altitude to ensure good air drainage and avoiding the risk of spring and fall frosts. Elevation ranges from 325 to 510 metres.The soils are well-drained glaciouvial deposits; coarse textured sand and gravel fans all formed from Mount Kobau that follow the boundaries of Testalinden, Hester, Tinhorn and Reid Creeks.791 acres planted in the region at time of designation GDD*: 1,448 (Oliver Central)SKAHA BENCH SUB-GISkaha Bench sub-GI has 185 acres (75 hectares) of vineyards in the area along the eastern side of Skaha Lake with vineyards situated on benches between 380 to 470 metres elevation. The rocky bedrock that borders the eastern side of the sub-GI absorbs and re-radiates heat back into the vineyards at night.The key elements are the west-facing aspect giving long afternoon and evening sunlight and the moderating inuence of Skaha Lake as well as the air drainage off the bench to the lake below. Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon together make up 81% of the acreage.185 acres planted in the region at time of designation GDD*: 1,397 (Penticton South)OKANAGAN FALLS SUB-GIThe Okanagan Falls sub-GI is a small area of 370 acres located immediately south of the village of Okanagan Falls on the east side of the valley. Most vineyards are between 400 to 500 metres elevation. Within the sub-GI, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris make up 75% of the acreage. Cool air from higher elevations ows into the region at night keeping temperatures low and retaining acidity in the grapes. Most of the area is covered by glaciouvial deposits, coarse, well-drained sands and gravels that were deposited by glacial meltwater around 8,000 - 12,000 years ago. A signature geological landform of the sub-GI is what are known as kettles. Kettles occur when blocks of ice fall off a glacier and become partially or entirely buried, later to melt leaving kettle holes behind. This gives a jumbled array of ridges and mounds.390 acres planted in the region at time of designation Growing Degree Days*: 1,400 (Estimated)

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2827OSOYOOS AND THE BLACK SAGE BENCH (UNOFFICIAL SUB-REGION OF OKANAGAN VALLEY)The vineyards closest to the USA border tend to be the warmest. The vineyards in this sub-region are mostly planted on the east side of Osoyoos Lake and up along the Black Sage Bench to the south end of Oliver. This area benets from long evening sunlight hours while the Osoyoos vineyards also benet from the protective moderating effect of the lake that sits at 276 metres above sea level.This warm climate makes this the ideal area for later ripening red grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah/Shiraz. This area produces around 34% of all Okanagan-Similkameen grapes. The desert inuence is obvious with few trees on the hillsides, which are dominated by wild sagebrush and other native desert plants.The vineyards are nearly all situated on deep, stone free, sandy glaciouvial parent materials, overlying granite bedrock. The soils are rapidly drained and have very low moisture holding capacity and are well suited to grape production. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz and Chardonnay are the most planted varieties.Growing Degree Days*: 1,641 (Osoyoos EC)No historical weather station data for the region*GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022GOLDEN MILE SLOPES SUB-GILocated on the west side of the valley the area receives plentiful morning sun with shading from Mount Kobau in the late afternoon. The GI shares the typically warm climate of the South Okanagan with cooling night-time breezes descending from Mount Kobau helping to retain fresh acidity. Away from any moderating effects of the valley lakes, the area of the Golden Mile can be prone to extremes of both heat in summer and potentially cold in the winter months.The landscape was formed from deposits of glacial meltwater and is predominantly made up of glaciouvial sands and gravels along with alluvial fan deposits. The Golden Mile Slopes Sub-GI excludes the oodplain of the Okanagan River which is poorly suited to viticultural production due to high water table and shoulder season frosts. The vineyards are situated on coarse-textured, stony soils.408 acres planted in the region at time of designation GDD*: 1,448 (Oliver Central)* GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022

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32SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY22 licensed grape wineriesKeremeos Vineyards (now called St. Laszlo) was the rst winery opened in 1984TOP GRAPES PLANTED Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Cabernet Franc Syrah Gamay Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Gris Riesling768 acres planted in the regionSIMILKAMEEN VALLEYSIMILKAMEEN VALLEY The Similkameen Valley GI lies just west of Osoyoos in southern British Columbia with the majority of the vineyards around Cawston and Keremeos. It has a similar climate to the South Okanagan with hot, dry semi-desert conditions. The Similkameen Valley has 6% of BC’s vineyard acreage. Running mostly west to east, rather than the north-to-south orientation of the Okanagan Valley, the Similkameen Valley is quite varied in its terroir. Around the town of Keremeos, there are some hotter bench-land vineyards but, due to the steep and sudden mountains rising above the grapes, many areas get shaded early in the day and in the dead of winter see almost no sunlight. Moving east to the town of Cawston, there is a long, exposed, south to west-facing bench stretching from Keremeos through Cawston that is ideal for growing later-ripening grapes. Sunlight hours on this bench rival the best sites of the South Okanagan Valley. In many parts of the world this would be considered high altitude viticulture with vineyards ranging from 400-480 metres above sea level. The soils are often gravelly, uvial fan based and in many areas there are lots of stones on the surface. Many vineyard soils are high in calcium carbonate giving mineral avours to many of the wines. With no lake in the Similkameen Valley, the region is subject to extremes of both heat and cold, but the Similkameen River and a persistent and often powerful wind can help reduce temperature extremes. The wind is also signicant in keeping the vineyards free of pests, diseases and partially contributes to the fact that the Similkameen has the highest density of certied organic fruits and vegetables in all of Canada.Because of the varied climate, a wide range of grapes can be successful from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah through to earlier-ripening Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir and white varieties Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Gris.Growing Degree Days*: 1,561 (Cawston)SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY*GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022

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3433VANCOUVER ISLAND23 licensed grape wineriesZanatta Winery was the rst winery opened in 199220% of acreage is Pinot NoirTOP GRAPES PLANTED Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Ortega Maréchal Foch Chardonnay Gewürztraminer321 acres planted in the regionGULF ISLANDS11 licensed grape wineriesSaturna Island was the rst winery opened in 1995TOP GRAPES PLANTED Pinot Noir Pinot Gris Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Ortega110 acres planted in the regionVANCOUVER ISLAND & GULF ISLANDSCOWICHAN VALLEY SUB-GIOn July 10, 2020, the Cowichan Valley was ofcially recognized as the rst sub-geographical indication outside of the Okanagan Valley.The Cowichan Valley sub-GI is roughly dened as the area between the Cowichan watershed, the eastern coastline from Mill Bay to Maple Bay and the western area of Cowichan Lake. The vineyards of the Cowichan Valley boast ideal conditions for popular grape varieties that include Ortega, Bacchus, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Marechal Foch and Pinot Noir.Wineries in the Cowichan Valley are generally shielded from Pacic Ocean storms by nearby mountains and have a long growing season with low frost risk.175 acres planted in the region at time of designationGULF ISLANDSThe Gulf Islands is a small region comprised of the many islands between the mainland and Vancouver Island. The Gulf Islands region is now home to vineyards and/or wineries on Salt Spring, Pender, Saturna, and Bowen Islands. There are approximately 110 acres planted with climate and grape varieties similar to Vancouver Island GI. The rst vineyards were planted on Saturna Island in 1995.Growing Degree Days*: 963 (Saturna Island)VANCOUVER ISLANDGULF ISLANDS*GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022VANCOUVER ISLAND (COWICHAN VALLEY SUB-GI) The vineyards of Vancouver Island are mostly located on the south-eastern side of the Island that has a Mediterranean-like climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. A strong maritime inuence moderates seasonal temperature variation. High mountain ranges on Vancouver Island strip moisture leaving the eastern side of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands much drier than the Fraser Valley. While being generally cool regions, the lower rainfall and long frost-free season allows enough growing degree days for a wide range of potential cool climate grape varieties including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Maréchal Foch, Ortega, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and many others. Vineyards on Vancouver Island are centred on the Cowichan Valley, close to the town of Duncan. There are also producers close to Nanaimo, as well as on the Saanich Peninsula, with some close to the city of Victoria. A total of 321 acres are planted to grapes.The soils are a mixture with the retreating glaciers and the uplifting of the ocean oor of up to 100 metres above sea level leaving behind Marine sediments, glaciouvial sediments and glacial till.Growing Degree Days*: 1,097 (North Cowichan)* GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022

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36FRASER VALLEY The Fraser Valley terroir is vastly different to that ofthe Okanagan Valley and other interior regions. The coastal inuence means that diurnal temperature variation is much lower and rainfall is much higher. Rainfall does vary considerably across the Fraser Valley, so the specic site has a big inuence. A key benet to the region is that there is low risk of frost and winter damage. There are a wide range of early ripening varieties planted including a number of newly developed, experimental hybrids.Growing Degree Days*: 1,017 (Langley Central)THOMPSON VALLEY The Thompson Valley GI roughly follows theoutline of the Thompson Basin ecosection capturing the lowland along the Thompson River and up to include the watersheds that drain into the Thompson River. The GI includes Kamloops, Cache Creek and Ashcroft, cutting off at Chase in the north-east. The easternmost boundary is the watershed boundary shared with Shuswap GI. There are 93 acres planted in the region.A semi-arid region, the Thompson Valley has hot, dry summers and cold winters. The constant movement of the north and south Thompson Rivers creates air ow to help moderate temperatures providing many options for winemakers to shine with winter hardy hybrids and vinifera varieties like Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.Growing Degree Days*: 1,407 (Kamloops) La Crescent Pinot Noir Riesling Chardonnay Marquette Frontenac Noir93 acres planted in the regionFRASER VALLEY37 licensed grape wineriesDomaine de Chaberton was the rst winery opened in 1984TOP GRAPES PLANTED Pinot Noir Bacchus Siegerrebe Blattner Cabernet Foch Pinot Gris Madeleine Angevine194 acres planted in the regionTHOMPSON VALLEY4 licensed grape wineriesHarper’s Trail was the rst winery opened in 2012TOP GRAPES PLANTEDFRASER VALLEY & THOMPSON VALLEYFRASER VALLEYTHOMPSON VALLEY*Thompson Valley: *GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022

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38LILLOOET The Lillooet GI covers a 100 km stretch of the interior Fraser River valley from Pavilion in the north to Kanaka Bar in the south. The GI incorporates a mountainous landscape of deep canyons and valley oor terraces (benches) surrounded by steep valley walls. The GI has an upper elevation of approximately 1,000 metres, however, due to the steepness of the valley walls, viticultural production is currently climatically suited to elevations below 500 metres and the largest vineyards are at 230 metres, much lower than most interior vineyards. This contributes to high growing degree days even at the northerly latitude of 50.68. The mountain range to the west gives a rain shadow affect making for a climate similar to the traditional grapegrowing regions in the south Okanagan Valley with long, hot, dry summers. However, nights can be cool, preserving fresh, crisp acidity in the wines. Successful varieties include Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Growing Degree Days*: 1,600 (Lillooet)LILLOOET2 licensed grape wineriesFort Berens Estate Winery was the rst winery opened in 2009TOP GRAPES PLANTED Cabernet Franc Merlot Riesling Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Gris51 acres planted in the regionLILLOOETLILLOOET*GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022

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4039KOOTENAYS The Kootenays GI is a large mountainous area of morethan 2 million hectares (4.9 million acres), however, only a small fraction of this is currently suited for viticultural production. The boundaries of the GI are primarily dened by watershed boundaries, specically the Kootenay River watershed from the US border to Balfour and then along the Kootenay River to Castlegar, the Slocan watershed, the Columbia River drainage from Lower Arrow Lake and the Columbia River to the US border, the watershed of the Granby River and of the lower reaches of the Kettle River from the Okanagan Basin divide east of Osoyoos including the areas around Rock Creek and Grand Forks. There is departure from the water drainage based boundaries in the northern portion of the GI where the area surrounding Nakusp has been included in the GI. Much of the area within the GI is high elevation and climatically unsuited for agriculture. Viticulture occurs along valley oors in the region in the warmest portions of the GI, specically the Creston Valley, the Grand Forks area and with potential in the Rock Creek area. The most planted grape varietal in the GI is Pinot Noir, followed by other vinifera varieties including Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling. Growing Degree Days*: 1,312 (Creston)SHUSWAP9 licensed grape wineriesLarch Hills Winery was rst winery opened in 1997TOP GRAPES PLANTED Maréchal Foch Ortega Siegerrebe Pinot Noir Gewürztraminer Kerner107 acres planted in the regionKOOTENAYS5 licensed grape wineriesColumbia Gardens Vineyard & Winery was rst winery opened in 2001TOP GRAPES PLANTED Pinot Noir Pinot Gris Gewürztraminer Maréchal Foch Chardonnay Riesling117 acres planted in the regionSHUSWAP & KOOTENAYSSHUSWAPKOOTENAYS*GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022SHUSWAP The Shuswap region is located north of the Okanagan Valley and east of the Thompson Valley. It is a diverse area that includes several major rivers that ow into Shuswap Lake, the dominant feature in the region. The GI boundary follows the Shuswap basin watershed, and is designed to capture areas that have landscape and climatic conditions suitable for agriculture. Much of the Shuswap watershed is composed of rugged, high-elevation ranges of the Columbia Mountains where viticulture would not be possible. The GI has an upper elevation limit of approximately 1000 metres, well above the elevation currently climatically suitable for agriculture, but included for potential future expansion.Wines have been produced here since 1997, predominately from cool climate varieties, which is understandable as it is one of the most northerly grapegrowing regions in North America and the coolest of BC’s interior wine regions. The approximately 107 acres of vineyard are spread out through the region, each with its own microclimate.Growing Degree Days*: 1,146 (Salmon Arm)* GDD – Base 10C, April 1 to Oct 31, average over last 10 years, farmwest.com. 2022

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4443PINOT GRIS1,306 acres (529 hectares)The number one white grape variety in terms of acreage in BC. The style of Pinot Gris in BC has been, and in many cases still is, quite varied following both the crisper, lighter, fresher style of Pinot Grigio in northern Italy as well as the richer, honeyed, off-dry and more tropical style of Alsace. The majority of BC Pinot Gris though could best be described as something fruitier and fuller bodied than the Pinot Grigio of Italy yet lighter and fresher than the wines of Alsace. Both the French and Italian names are used, often varying based on the style. They are typically dry or off-dry with a medium body and avours and aromas of pear, honeydew or cantaloupe melon, lemon, and sometimes a little honey, minerality and baking spice.CHARDONNAY1,247 acres (505 hectares)The style of Chardonnay produced in BC varies from a few unoaked versions with crisp acidity and often crisp apple avours to world-class barrel fermented wines with complex lees, oak and fruit avours. The naturally high acidity achieved in BC and the peach, lemon and nectarine avours when combined with quality oak barrel fermentation and aging on lees can make for very highly regarded wines. Many of BC’s most internationally awarded wines have been Chardonnay.GEWÜRZTRAMINER659 acres (267 hectares)Gewürztraminer is another Alsatian variety that grows well in BC. The variety has been planted in the province for many years and continues to slowly gain popularity. Between 2006 and 2014 plantings increased by 61%. Known for generating wines with intense aromatics and fruitiness, BC with its unique climate, is an ideal location for producing such a pronounced oral variety. Ripening to high alcohol levels, often around 14%, the variety can lose acidity quickly and become a touch abby. In BC, the natural high acidity that remains from the cool nights means this is rarely an issue. The wines typically show aromas of lychee, rose petal and ripe stone fruit, often with a touch of sweetness. RIESLING665 acres (269 hectares)Riesling has always been present in BC but it took a while for it to be taken seriously and the wines are increasingly building a top-quality reputation. From 2006 to 2014, plantings of Riesling grew by 86%. BC Riesling can be both the soft, fruity, off-dry style or, increasingly, a dry, high acid, intense apple, lime and mineral avoured style that has received international attention. A few producers are also making sweeter, low-alcohol German Kabinett-style wines. Many of the Riesling wines have a great ability to age and some have been cellared for more than a decade.SAUVIGNON BLANC440 acres (178 hectares)Sauvignon Blanc experienced the same popular explosion in the 1990s that Pinot Gris is experiencing today, being planted rapidly all over the world. Plantings in BC increased quite rapidly in the middle of the 2000s. The BC style benets from the natural high acidity and fruit ripeness. Both the crisp, zingy, green bean, grass and asparagus style as well as a riper, tropical fruit, richer version can be found. Some of the most successful wines are oak fermented and blended with Sémillon to make wines along the lines of white Bordeaux. VIOGNIER235 acres (95 hectares)The growth of Viognier from existing only as a small, local curiosity in the northern Rhône to a worldwide mainstream grape variety has been rapid and the trend has not missed BC. Viognier in BC often attains the heady scents of jasmine and stone fruit but retains freshness from the trademark crisp BC acidity. Viognier is increasingly being blended with two other Rhône varieties, Marsanne and Roussanne. Marsanne and Roussanne are not as aromatic as Viognier but share the same rich, soft texture. These blends are proving some of the most successful BC white blends in recent competitions although plantings of these blending partners are still small. Viognier is also increasingly being used to add perfume, texture and brightness of colour to Syrah when blended prior to fermentation in small amounts. BC’S MOST PLANTED WHITE GRAPES

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4645BC’S MOST PLANTED RED GRAPESMERLOT1,861 acres (753 hectares)Merlot is BC’s most planted grape. In most parts of the world, Merlot is renowned as having soft tannins and a lush, rich texture. In BC, for reasons linked to the unique climate, the structure of Merlot is completely different. It naturally produces more structured, higher tannin wines than in most parts of the world. BC Merlot will typically have a medium to full body, medium to high tannins and avours that include black cherry, black plum, chocolate and oral violet notes. As in many parts of the world it is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. PINOT NOIR1,656 acres (670 hectares)Pinot Noir has grown more rapidly in terms of acreage (79% between 2006 and 2014) than any other widely planted red grape as growers nd it well suited to the BC terroir. Most of the plantings are in the central to north part of the Okanagan Valley as the hottest areas are mostly too hot for this early-ripening variety. Style wise, BC Pinot Noir tends to have both bright intense cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruit avour as well as complex spice notes, along with medium tannins and high levels of acidity for structure. As a result, good quality BC Pinot Noir tends to age very well.CABERNET SAUVIGNON973 acres (394 hectares)Cabernet Sauvignon in BC is best suited to the warmest sites, typically on the eastern side of the Okanagan Valley near Osoyoos or on the south-facing benches of Cawston in the Similkameen Valley. Typical Cabernet Sauvignon in BC has intense cassis and blackberry fruit, structured tannins and high acidity, with a notable dried sage or tobacco note. The wines from ripe vintages can age very well, often drinking well for more than a decade.CABERNET FRANC940 acres (380 hectares)Cabernet Franc is increasingly making expressive, quality varietal wines, rather than its usual role as a blending grape in most of the world. It seems to have a particular afnity with the climate of the south Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley, producing wines with bright red fruit, ripe tannins, intense perfume and just a pretty hint of the herbaceous/tobacco character that can be overpowering in overly cool climates. In warm years it produces rich, structured wines yet in cool years it does not overly suffer from greenness, making it well suited to the BC climate. SYRAH/SHIRAZ655 acres (265 hectares)BC has proven it is well suited to making intensely avoured, cool climate Syrah and because of this BC Syrah is consistently named the top red wine in Canada in wine competitions. BC Syrah falls somewhere between the rich, riper style of warmer climate Australian wines and the medium-bodied, fresher, peppery wines of the northern Rhône Valley in France. BC Syrah is intense in fruit, gamey, oral and retains lots of black pepper notes.GAMAY NOIR256 acres (104 hectares)Gamay Noir plantings are only small in BC but it is gaining in popularity as it consistently produces high-quality wines. The momentum towards lighter, juicier red wines among a growing number of consumers is also helping Gamay Noir’s popularity. A typical BC Gamay Noir will be light in body and tannin with fresh juicy acidity, a silky texture and avours of red berry fruit, cinnamon and minerality.

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47BC ICEWINEThe folklore of Icewine suggests that its rst production in 18th century Germany was a happy accident. A German vineyard owner away on business at the end of harvest came home to a frozen vineyard. He harvested and processed the grapes anyway, and what was then called Winter Wine was born. In Canada, Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery in Peachland produced the country’s rst Icewine in 1978. Canada is now recognized as the world leader in Icewine production. Icewine is produced by many British Columbia wineries, but the only wine regions of BC where the winters are cold enough to provide the necessary conditions for Icewine are the Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley. Even there, the conditions for harvesting and pressing Icewine grapes generally happen only several times per winter. In a given year, anywhere from 10 to 20 wineries will leave grapes on the vine in anticipation of an Icewine harvest.*Brix is a measure of sugar in grapes: One degree Brix equals 18 grams of sugar per litre. Mature grapes are typically 21 to 25 Brix, equating to 11 to 13 percent alcohol after fermentation.ICEWINE BY THE NUMBERS-8˚ CELSIUS (17.6˚ FAHRENHEIT)The minimum temperaturerequired to produce Icewine.Grapes must be naturallyfrozen on the vine.1978Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery in Peachland, BC produces Canada’s rst Icewine.35˚ BRIXThe minimum sugar content to be considered an Icewine.7 WINERIESProduced Icewine in 2022.113Tonnes of Icewine grapes were harvested in 2022.ICEWINE PRODUCTIONYear Tonnes Estimated Litres2022 113 33,9002021 22 6,6002020 75 23,0002019 205 51,3112018 274 84,7502017 475 131,7742016 585 122,0662015 331 109,0002014 765 253,2002013 922 288,0002012 432 142,8002011 594 118,1882010 381 71,7902009 211 40,2472008 420 126,0002007 353 73,9912006 560 150,0002005 263 76,0202004 394 93,330ICEWINE HARVESTED AT NIGHT, IN THE SNOW, IN A COUNTRY FAMOUS FOR ITS WINTERS.

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49OTHER WINE STYLES PRODUCED IN BCSPARKLING WINESThe climate in BC is well suited to making sparkling wines. The natural high acidity levels the climate provides and bright fruit avours mean that grapes can be harvested early and still have good avour development.All sparkling styles are made from carbonated through to Traditional Method, the method used in the Champagne region of France. The best known BC wines are made by the Traditional Method and often spend one to four years aging on their lees before being disgorged and sold. Compared to international styles, BC sparkling wines fall somewhere in between the austere and lees avoured wines of Champagne and the riper, fruitier Traditional Method sparkling wines of Cava in Spain or those of California or Australia. BC bubbles tend to age well thanks to the natural acidity. Most of the wines are made from the traditional Champagne grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but there is some quality sparkling made from Riesling and other varieties.ROSÉ WINESRosé wines have become quite popular in the past few years. Gone are the days of the sweet white Zinfandel, replaced by a fresh, fruit-forward style. Though most wineries produce a dry style, some produce wines with some residual sugar balanced by wonderful, vibrant acidity. Because of their vibrant acidity and fresh avours, these wines not only are extremely food friendly, but also provide the perfect patio sipper.ORANGE WINESSome producers are now making what are known as orange wines. These are just white grapes made like red wine with the skin contact giving an orange colour to the wine.FORTIFIED WINESFortied wines make up just a small percentage of BC’s wine production. The majority of the wines follow in the Port model either as a fuller-bodied sweeter, fortied red-style like Ruby or Vintage Port or as a longer-aged Tawny style. Some producers are experimenting with other fortied wines in the Madeira and Liqueur Muscat styles. BC fortied wines are often bright in fruit with sweetness, balancing natural acidity and some developed avours and aromas from aging in barrel.LATE HARVEST WINESIn addition to Icewine, BC also makes Botrytis-affected wines and medium-sweet Late Harvest wines. The generally dry conditions in the Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley mean that Botrytis, or noble rot, is not widespread. Only a few producers consistently make a Botrytis-affected wine. Late Harvest wines are more common with many producers choosing to leave some grapes to harvest later in the season when they are sweeter and then stopping the fermentation to make a wine with residual sugar.

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52 British Columbia has what it takes to rival Napa Valley - U.K. Times British Columbia wines will stand the test of time - Shanghai Daily The Okanagan Valley ranked #1 in Viator’s Top 10 Wine Destinations Around the World Canada’s Okanagan Valley is the Best Wine Destination You’ve Never Heard of - San FranciscoMagazine The Okanagan Valley named one of the top seven wine regions to visit in 2019 by madador network Named one of the 10 Best Wine Destinations of 2015 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine Ranked #1 Wine Region in the World by the Hufngton Post Named as 1 of 12 underrated wine regions to visit in Vogue Magazine“The purpose of terroir is to allow the grape variety to express itself and BC does that well. Whether it’s Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir or Cabernet Franc, the vineyards are showing an undeniable expressiveness of grape variety and high quality, and in my view, that puts the area in a very strong league in the international market.”- Steven SpurrierVISITING BC WINE COUNTRYOne million visitors ock to BC wine country each year, and for good reason. BC’s wine regions, much like the province itself, are pristine, beautiful and extreme offering exceptional experiences and wines with intensity, purity and natural freshness. Wine is all about sense of place, and we invite you to explore the exceptional people and place behind our wonderful industry. Plan your trip to BC wine country with the Wines of BC Explorer App.STAYThere is an undeniable romanticism to staying in wine country. Waking up and wandering through rows of grape vines. Lounging poolside with a glass of wine. Watching the sunset over the vineyards. This enchanting aspiration is not lost on British Columbia wineries, which have a plethora of amazing accommodations available for those who wish to linger longer. From sleek and modern minimalist lofts, to cozy country cabins and Tuscan-inspired villas, there is a huge array of places to lay your head – each taking full advantage of breathtaking vineyard views.Find your perfect getaway at WineBC.com or on the Wines of BC Explorer App.EATWhen it comes to pairing wine with seasonal, locally-sourced cuisine, BC chefs have access to fresh ingredients and are creating exciting pairings that can’t be missed. Try BC wine on menus from Vancouver and all over wine country paired with international cuisine – from Indian to Thai and from Italian to Ethiopian as well as a our own distinctly Pacic Northwest style.Another way to discover the local wine and food scene is to take in one of the local farmers markets during your visit and celebrate farm-fresh ingredients right from the source. Enjoy a vast array of fresh produce, baked goods and artisanal ingredients while sampling your favourite BC VQA Wine.In BC wine country, internationally acclaimed restaurants are putting out cuisine to be celebrated. Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Winery, The Terrace at Mission Hill Family Estate and Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards have all recently been named among the top winery restaurants in the world by highly respected publications. The BC winery restaurant scene is so hot, that new chefs are moving to wine country from all over the world to be a part of this ourishing industry.

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5453 Mission Hill Family Estate’s The Terrace Restaurant was named one of the top ve winery restaurants in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine Similkameen Valley named one of the world’s FIVE best wine regions you’ve never heard of by EnRoute Magazine Okanagan Valley voted #2 Best Wine Region to Visit by USA TODAY Readers“It’s a playlist for your wine cravings! With personalized suggestions, weekly top wines, ratings, promotions and more, it’s an interactive space for everything BC wine.”– Mijune Pak, Top Chef Canada Judge on the Wines of BC Explorer AppWINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AROUND THE WORLDThe Wines of British Columbia can now be found in the USA, United Kingdom, Nordic and Scandinavia, China, Hong Kong and Japan so you can treat yourself to a little taste of British Columbia abroad.CONNECT WITH US@WINESOFBCWines of British Columbia is active across social media and encourages media and trade to get involved. Join the conversation and help raise awareness for BC’s premium wine regions and 100% BC VQA Wine. Inspire consumers to visit, gather and share amazing photos and stories, and help answer questions about BC wine.ENGAGE WITH THE WINES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ON SOCIAL MEDIA• Follow us @WinesofBC• Tag your BC wine & culinary tourism photos with #BCWine & #BCWineLife• Tag your BC wine photos with #BCWine & #BCWineLife• Share BC wine media coverage or accolades with us by tagging @WinesofBC• Share photos from media, trade and other BC wine and tourism events with us bytagging @WinesofBC• Retweet our tweets from your accountsWineBC.com WineBC.smugmug.com (Image Gallery)38K+FOLLOWERS23K+FOLLOWERS4.5K+FOLLOWERS2K+FOLLOWERS TOURYou have decided which BC wine region to visit. Now it’s time to plan how best to enjoy BC wine country. The Wines of BC Explorer App helps wine lovers discover exciting local BC wines and winery experiences throughout the province, providing personalized recommendations and winery route lists. Carpooling with a group of friends is a great way to tour, but for those who want to sit back and relax, there are guided tours available for any style of traveller.Whether you’re looking to tour by land, air or water, BC’s wine regions offer it all. For a relaxed trip, perhaps you’d enjoy a guided trip by limousine, vintage car or bicycle. Feeling a bit more adventurous? You can take to the skies with a oat plane or helicopter wine tour. For something extra special and unique in the Okanagan, try a kayak or stand-up paddle board (SUP) wine tour. EVENTSFor more than 30 years, destination wine events have drawn people from around the world to the Okanagan Valley, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, Fraser Valley and more. From ocean shores to mountain tops, and during every single season there is a wine event to be found. Long-table dinners in vineyards, private vertical tastings and wine parties that won’t soon be forgotten are just some of the choices. Visit WineBC.com for the most up-to-date list of events.SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMICBC’s wine regions are very well suited to sustainable farming thanks to the climate of dry, sunny, low humidity and low rainfall weather combined with the hot summers and cold winters. There are few pests and diseases to worry about and as a result more and more farmers and producers are following organic, biodynamic or the Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia guidelines. Sustainability is a natural for BC wine. Visit SustainableWineGrowingBC.com to learn more.AGEABLILITY OF BC WINEWhen you read any textbook about what a wine needs to age well it will tell you the wine needs some intensity of avour and then acidity and/or tannin to help preserve that avour over time while it develops and evolves. If you look at the BC climate, it gives exactly all of those necessary components for aging. The long, sunny days give intense avours while the cool nights preserve natural acidity. The heat and sun also build rm tannins in the red wines giving BC wine all the elements for potentially long ageability. Varieties such as Pinot Noir, blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and Syrah all age well. White varieties Riesling and Chardonnay also have good potential. Ageability is something BC wine is likely to be known for in the future.

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March 2023WINE GROWERS BRITISH COLUMBIASince 1990, Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing exceptional wine tourism experiences. WGBC markets the wine and regions of BC; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of industry that contributes $3.75 billion in provincial economic growth annually. WGBC represents all wineries in British Columbia to grow the premium market share for the Wines of British Columbia, while driving awareness of our world-class wines and tourism product - currently drawing 1,191,500 visitors with $609 million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact every year.WineBC.com @BCWine Facebook.com/WinesofBC @WinesofBC @WineGrowersBC Wines of British ColumbiaTel 250.762.9744 Fax 250.762.9788 Toll-Free 1.800.661.2294 Suite 470 - 1726 Dolphin Ave Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 9R9