13 Phenomenal Wineries in British Columbia

These innovative wineries in British Columbia are making incredible wines and travel memories.

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Amazing views are just the beginning when you visit the wineries of British Columbia. Photo by Kym Ellis on Unsplash

With 929 vineyards and 369 licensed wineries, British Columbia is a wine lover’s dream road trip location. The westernmost province in Canada, British Columbia, is a vast territory, but the majority of its vineyards are located in the south, within easy distance to many principal cities. For those keen on exploring, putting together your own DIY tour is easy. 

For wine lovers in Canada and worldwide, British Columbian wines usually mean one thing: The Okanagan Valley. This spectacular wine region is home to some 185 wineries. However, multiple wine regions in the province are well worth checking out, even if a trip to the Okanagan isn’t possible during your visit. In 2019 alone, British Columbia wineries won more than 1,000 medals in national and international competitions. No matter where you visit, you can be sure the products you sample are outstanding. 

These are some of the Okanagan’s finest, most innovative wineries, plus more destinations further afield.

Okanagan Valley Wineries

Photo credit: Kelowna Tourism

The Okanagan Valley has 84% of British Columbia’s vineyard acreage. Spread out over some 250 kilometres/155 miles, the Okanagan isn’t just famous for wine but also for fruits and vegetables and roadside stands are everywhere. Summertime temperatures here routinely reach 40 degrees Celcius/104 degrees Fahrenheit, creating a scorching microclimate perfect for growing grapes, especially with cooler evenings. By comparison, Okanagan is warmer and drier than California’s Napa Valley, plus the area gets an extra two hours of sunlight a day. 

Some standout vineyards in the Okanagan Valley include:

• Calona Vineyard, located in the Kelowna region, was established in 1932 and is the province’s oldest continually operating winery. They’re just as well known for their beautiful labels - part of a collaboration between the vineyard and artists designed to tell the story of each wine through artistic expression - as they are for their award-winning wines. 

 

• As the name would suggest, the House of Rose Winery is surrounded by hundreds of rose bushes. And, yes, they do also produce rosé wine. However, the name is a tribute to the founder, Vern Rose. A local leader in sustainability, the City of Kelowna honoured the vineyard with the 2014 “Champion of the Environment” award.

 

• If you feel affection for truly unique wineries, Summerhill Pyramid Winery should be at the top of your list. It’s one of only three biodynamic wineries in Canada. The theme of mindfulness continues in the wine cellar, which is in the shape of a giant pyramid and constructed to align with the stars (Summerhill claims, “The Summerhill Pyramid is second only to the Great Pyramid of Egypt for alignment and precision.”) Their on-site menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly. 

 

• Indigenous World Winery has the unique distinction of being British Columbia’s only 100% Indigenous-owned winery. Their on-site restaurant, the Red Fox Club, has rave reviews for its menu focused on Indigenous cuisine. Ingredients include bannock, salmon, bison, Saskatoon berries, venison, trout, elk, rhubarb, maple, and more.

 

• Many wineries boast that they’re sustainable, but Off The Grid goes the distance. Friendly goats take care of the winery’s landscaping, and the tasting room is 100% sustainable, powered by solar panels and insulated with straw. Unsurprisingly, all wines here are organic, and the views from the picnic tables are spectacular.

 

• These are two dog-friendly wineries that welcome pups to their patio areas. Painted Rock’s style is ultra-modern, sophisticated, and streamlined, while the centuries-old See Ya Later Ranch, high on Hawthorne Mountain, is homey, cozy, and has an off-the-grid feel.​​

Fraser Valley Wineries 

Photo by Thomas Schaefer on Unsplash

The perfect destination for wine-loving urbanites, the Fraser Valley’s vineyards are next to major cities like Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, and Abbotsford. In addition to a wide variety of red and white wines, day-trippers will also find fruit wines, fortified wines, and sparkling wines here. Another destination that’s equally famous for agriculture as it is for wine, Fraser Valley alone accounts for half of British Columbia’s agricultural revenue. 

Some notable wineries to add to your list include:
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• Operating over 55 acres of vineyards, Chaberton is the most significant estate winery in British Columbia. It’s also the oldest in the Fraser Valley, dating to 1975. The founders previously owned a wine estate in France and chose the site based on how comparable the soil and climate were to northern France. 

• One of the best places in Fraser Valley to try fruit wines is the Krause Berry Farm and Winery, which has been growing strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries since 1974. The tasting bar reflects that you’re on a working farm - the bar stools are made from recycled saddles, and the tasting glasses are shaped like cowboy boots. Try your hand at ‘u-pick’ berries and visit the farm stand before you leave.

• At the Glass House Estate Winery, this family-owned vineyard produces low-yield artisan wine which can be enjoyed in a stylish tasting room or the expansive picnic area. Their fun name reflects the family’s 60-plus-year history of building and growing in greenhouses.

Vancouver Island Wineries

Photo by Thomas Schaefer on Unsplash

If you haven’t been to British Columbia before, you’ll be forgiven for confusion about Vancouver Island. The city of Vancouver isn’t actually ON Vancouver Island. However, the province’s capital city, Victoria, is, along with popular destinations like Nanaimo, Tofino, and Comox.

Being a winemaker here takes perseverance and grit. Most vineyards shun chemical pesticides or artificial irrigation, and Vancouver Island is one of the few grape-growing regions in the world that are phylloxera-free. The weather blesses growers with long summer days, but the season overall is short. Early in the season, vines are often tented with plastic to create a mock greenhouse effect and add extra warmth. 

• Run by Marilyn, a microbiologist from Australia, and Giordano, a teacher from Italy, Venturi Schulze’s wines reflect the international experience of its owners. They produce a combination of still and sparkling wines aged with balsamic vinegar and balsamic-infused jams. The property’s beautiful farmhouse dates to 1893.

• One of the oldest vineyards on Vancouver Island, Alderlea is committed to sustainable farming practices, supporting technologies that allow used barrels to be re-cooped, powering their tractors with biodiesel, and installing a passive irrigation system which reuses wastewater from the winemaking process. 

• One of Vancouver Island’s newest wineries, Rathjen Cellars, was only established in 2016, but it’s already making a name for itself. With a focus on natural techniques and minimal interventions, they grow their own grapes, lease land from five other island estates to grow additional grapes, and produce their own small-batch bumbleberry cider and creme de cassis. ​

Practical information for visiting wineries in British Columbia 

Photo by Alejandro Luengo on Unsplash

Photo by Alejandro Luengo on Unsplash

Photo by Mike Benna on Unsplash

How To Get There

Southern British Columbia borders on Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Many visitors drive up from the United States or fly into Vancouver or nearby Seattle, just 2.5 hours away to the south. 

While many larger centers have wine tours, most visitors rent a car and visit wineries independently. When planning your trip, keep in mind that distances can be deceiving. While nearly all wineries in British Columbia are concentrated in the southern part of the province, this is still a massive area. Even wineries within the same region might be more than 100 miles apart. Check distances carefully and think local when making your list of day-tripping destinations. The Wines of BC Explorer App can help you organize your adventures.

When To Visit

Traditionally, most vineyards are open from mid-spring to mid-autumn. Summer is the busiest time to visit British Columbia’s vineyards. However, some vineyards prefer autumn visitors as they’re less strained once the harvest ends. 

Most tasting rooms are open on a part-time basis throughout the winter months. Before heading out on an adventure, double-check the hours of operation and make sure your vehicle has snow tires.

Important Laws

The drinking age in British Columbia is 19. Children are permitted in tasting rooms, and some vineyards have kid-friendly amenities, including alcohol-free treats and play areas.

Pro Tip

If you’re buying wine in British Columbia, you’ll see the initials “VQA” everywhere. This stands for “Vintners Quality Alliance.” Established in 1990, the VQA program ensures that wines meet specific origins, vintage, and varietals standards. The VQA symbol on a bottle is the customer’s guarantee that the wine in question is 100% grown and made in British Columbia. However, non-VQA wines are still delicious - some products may not qualify for VQA status simply because they use a blend of wines from other regions. 


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