British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley is the wine capital in Canada with over 200 vineyards and 120 wineries. On the southernmost tip of the Valley is Osoyoos, Canada’s warmest spot and a haven for purple wine. Coupled with the close by city of Oliver, Osoyoos wine nation boasts practically 50 totally different wineries to find.
Straddling the Canada-US border, the South Okanagan thrives on the sunbaked shores of Osoyoos Lake. Osoyoos vineyards are blessed with a median of 1,550 rising diploma days and a great deal of sunshine. The dry days and funky nights create desert-like circumstances that are excellent for juicy, sun-ripened purple grape varieties.
Naturally, the Osoyoos wine business is primarily centered on reds, with a pair white wines sprinkled in between. The principle varietals embody Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Chardonnay. And in the event you head 20 minutes north to Oliver, BC, you’ll additionally discover a justifiable share of Pinot Gris.
For those who’re paying a go to to the South Okanagan, these are the 10 greatest Osoyoos wineries to take a look at!
High Wineries in Osoyoos to Go to within the Okanagan Valley
Finest Wineries in Osoyoos for Nice Reds
Black Hills Property
One of many prime Osoyoos wineries, Black Hills Property is positioned on the famed Black Sage Bench. This wine area is surrounded by desert hills and has among the greatest rising circumstances in British Columbia. Owned by Andrew Peller Ltd., Black Hills Property planted their first crop in 1996, making this one of many oldest vineyards within the area.
This Osoyoos-Oliver vineyard is thought for Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. Their purple mix, Nota Bene, is a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It’s a must-try on the Black Hills tasting room, which you’ll be able to go to year-round for CAD $20. Your flight will embody 5 of their greatest wines in reds and whites.
Should-try wine from Black Hills Property: Nota Bene Crimson Mix 2018
Picture Courtesy by: Black Hills Property Vineyard Fb Web page
Burrowing Owl Property Vineyard
One other of the Black Sage Bench wineries close to Osoyoos is Burrowing Owl Property. This household owned and operated vineyard has been making wine since 1993 and is famend as among the finest wineries in Osoyoos. Burrowing Owl combines conventional strategies with trendy know-how to create distinctive blends and is without doubt one of the hottest BC wines. Plus, they implement sustainable practices like photo voltaic vitality and natural farming to attenuate their influence on the setting.
The property welcomes guests to their swimming pool-clad guesthouse proper on the property. Spend the weekend, go to the tasting room, or dine on the Sonora Room Restaurant, among the finest eating places in Osoyoos.
It’s the proper place to sip on a roster of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Tastings might be reserved for CAD $5 for 5 wines with tasting charges contributing to the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society. For those who go to in the summertime, you’ll be able to be part of a guided wine tour for CAD $10-40 per particular person.
Should-try wine from Burrowing Owl Osoyoos: Meritage Merlot 2017
LaStella
LaStella Vineyard was created within the imaginative and prescient of La Dolce Vita: “high-quality meals, great wine, nice music, and the nice issues in life.” Located in Osoyoos Lake wine nation, LaStella is a hidden gem of the Okanagan Valley. It’s thought of by many to be among the finest wineries in Osoyoos due to its catalogue of sensational wines.
Sister vineyard to Le Vieux Pin, LaStella has been boasting a variety of white and purple wines since 2006. The vineyard affords a collection of purple blends like Fortissimo and Espressivo, together with a signature Chardonnay.
Not like the Pinot Noir styles of the northern Okanagan Valley, the reds on this area are wealthy, juicy, and sophisticated. Pattern a flight of 4 wines on the tasting room for CAD $10 and luxuriate in them on the seasonal patio. Reservations aren’t wanted and tasting charges go to the Canucks Autism Community.
Should-try wine from La Stella: Arioso Sangiovese Grosso 2014
Picture Courtesy of lastella.ca
Gold Hill
Gold Hill Vineyard is a family-owned vineyard that’s rooted in centuries of custom. The Gill household bought 65 acres of vineyards on the Golden Mile and within the coronary heart of Osoyoos in 2009. Since then, they’ve been producing scrumptious Okanagan Valley wines crafted from the best Oliver-Osoyoos grapes.
Gold Hill’s lineup of premium small-lot wines characteristic juicy, well-balanced, and extremely regarded wines. Notably, their Grand Vin and Cabernet Franc repeatedly win awards among the many prime BC wineries in Osoyoos.
Tastings can be found indoors or open air on the vineyard for CAD $15, which incorporates 5 wines. Reservation is a requirement and word that tasting charges are waived with a purchase order.
Should-try wine from Gold Hill: Household Reserve Meritage 2013
Picture courtesy of goldhillwinery.com
Culmina Household Property
Culmina Household Property Vineyard produces fabulous purple and white wines with a low intervention philosophy. The Triggs household bought the winery in 2007 and blends conventional practices with trendy know-how to protect the pure character of the grape. All of their grapes are handpicked and sorted, which is exclusive to different wineries in Osoyoos.
Culmina makes use of sustainable practices to craft Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, and their signature mix, Speculation. Culmina’s tasting room is open seasonally with a variety of tasting experiences. The Provenance Tasting is CAD $20 per particular person, which incorporates three wines and a waived tasting charge with buy. Reservations are extremely inspired.
Should-try wine from Culmina: N.004 Stan’s Bench Chardonnay 2016
Picture Courtesy of Culmina Household Property Vineyard Fb Web page
Church and State Vineyard
Sitting on 85 acres of pristine wine nation land, Church and State Vineyard is one in all our favorite wineries within the Okanagan Valley and has been handcrafting wine since 2009. Their aim is to let the flavours of the grapes shine by way of in order that the wines converse for themselves. This provides clients “freedom of perception,” which is the which means of Church and State.
Like different wineries in Osoyoos and Oliver, Church and State produce primarily reds. Strive the Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec, or Cabernet Sauvignon on an Property or Terroir Tasting. For CAD $15-30, you’ll pattern wines whereas looking over the notorious Coyote Bowl and Golden Mile Bench.
Should-try wine from Church and State Vineyard Osoyoos: Coup d’Etat Crimson Mix 2014
Picture Courtesy of Church and State Vineyard Fb Web page
NK’MIP Cellars
NK’MIP Cellars (pronounced in-ka-meep) boasts a whole lot of firsts within the Oliver-Osoyoos wine area. Not solely was it the first vineyard in Osoyoos, it’s the first Indigenous-owned vineyard in British Columbia and North America as an entire. Owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band, NK’MIP sits on 1,200 acres of land and produces award-winning wines, together with Pinot Blanc, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
Constantly ranked as among the finest wineries in BC, NK’MIP welcomes guests to be taught the story behind the wine. There’s an interpretive cultural centre onsite, together with a tasting bar open each day. Go to the vineyards on Osoyoos’ east bench for quite a lot of year-round tasting experiences or a seasonal dinner on the vineyard eating places. Wine flights begin at simply CAD $5 per particular person with meals pairings and winery occasions out there with a reservation.
Should-try wine from NK’MIP Cellars: Mer’r’iym Meritage White
Spirit Ridge Lake Resort close to the Nk’mip Cultural Centre. Picture courtesy of Vacation spot Canada
Hester Creek Property Vineyard
Impressed by Italian vineyards, BC wine pioneer Joe Busnardo opened Hester Creek (beneath the identify Divino Property) again in 1968. They started planting Merlot and Pinot Blanc within the early days and have since expanded to 115 acres of flourishing grapes. The Oliver vineyard and winery now grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Pinot Gris, Sémillon, and Syrah.
Visiting Hester Creek Vineyard is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Osoyoos due to their standard patio restaurant that comes alive with stay music and Tuscan-style eating.
Hester Creek affords complimentary tastings for 5 wines or a Signature Tasting for CAD $15. We advocate making a reservation to go to this Osoyoos vineyard.
Should-try wine from Hester Creek Property: The Decide Crimson Mix 2018
Picture Courtesy of hestercreek.com
CheckMate Artisanal Vineyard
CheckMate Artisanal Vineyard was born with a aim to make a new world Chardonnay and Merlot with old-world class. South Okanagan wineries are a few of North America’s greatest, however nonetheless take notes from the French classics’ oldest vines. With 40 years of grape rising beneath their belt, the von Mandl household began CheckMate in 1994.
CheckMate is without doubt one of the most centered Oliver wineries with solely Chardonnays and Merlots onsite. Pattern them with a CAD $30 Event Expertise on the winery or a CAD $45 Benefit Expertise. You’ll see why it’s among the finest wineries in Oliver and Osoyoos!
Should-try wine from CheckMate: Queen’s Benefit Chardonnay 2015
Picture Courtesy of CheckMate Artisanal Vineyard Fb Web page
Finest Wineries in Osoyoos Nice Whites
Bartier Bros. Winery & Vineyard
Owned by Okanagan Valley brothers Michael & Don Bartier, Bartier Bros. Winery & Vineyard
is top-notch. Whereas Osoyoos isn’t as recognized for white wines, Bartier Bros. affords a superb choice of Semillon, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, and Chardonnay. The vineyard first opened its doorways in 2009 and goals to rejoice the Okanagan’s unbelievable rising circumstances with distinctive wines.
You’ll be able to go to the vineyard—positioned throughout the road from Silver Sage Vineyard—seasonally within the spring and summer time for wine excursions and tastings. They provide a Seated Tasting Expertise for CAD $20 or a Tasting Bar Expertise for CAD $5. Reservations aren’t needed however are inspired—particularly because you don’t wish to miss out on the cheese or chocolate pairings!
Should-try wine from Bartier Bros: Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre 2017
Picture Courtesy of Bartier Bros. Winery & Vineyard Fb Web page