Best Wineries to Visit

In 2016

Tinhorn Creek ~ Oliver BC
photo by Ian Mounsey

Best Wineries to Visit in 2017

British Columbia

Arrowleaf Cellars 1574 Camp Road Lake Country, BC V4V 1K1 A family run business owned and operated by Joe and Margrit Zuppiger and their son, Manuel Zuppiger. The WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada awarded platinum, gold, silver and bronze medals. Situated in the Okanagan's beautiful Lake Country. With outstanding facilities overlooking the lake. Including the new and exciting The Kitchen at Arrowleaf They receive the 2015 Award of Excellence from the SICA Commercial Building Awards for their new tasting room and barrel cellar

Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyards 2182 Lakeside Road Duncan, BC V9L 6M3 Outstanding facilities, exceedingly fine wines, great staff and super friendly owners make Blue Grouse a must visit winery. Their Ortega rated as one of the very best. Located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.

Tinhorn Creek 537 Tinhorn Creek Road Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 On a hillside overlooking vineyards, sagebrush, and the old gold mining creek that is its namesake, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has been owned and operated by the Shaunessy and Oldfield families since 1993. You could easy say that Tinhorn Creek is the winery that put the Golden Mile on the world map of wine regions. One of a few wineries open year round. Tinhorn Creek sources fruit exclusively from its own vineyards: 150 acres of prime land on two very distinct benches. The 100-acre Diamondback Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench is planted with a mix of red and white varieties, primarily Pinot Gris, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 50-acre Tinhorn Creek Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench is also planted with a mix of red and white grapes, featuring Gewürztraminer. Tinhorn is noted for its respect of the environment and been stewards of the land. Five star restaurant on site.

Stoneboat Vineyards  356 Orchard Grove Lane Oliver, BC V0H 1T1 Canada Stoneboat is a hands on family winery owned by Julie and Lanny Martiniuk. Their three sons are all involved in the growth of the winery which begin in 1979. Quality wines friendly and the family tradition makes this one winery to visit.

Culmina Estate Winery 4790 Wild Rose Street Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 The new Okanagan winery has it all when it comes to producing great wines and running a winery. This is the Triggs family winery, headed by Donald Triggs of Jackson and Triggs fame. Donald was also former chief executive of Vincor International Ltd. On our visit I was so impressive it was impossible not to once again include them on the Best Wineries to Visit list The location provides a wonder view of the Okanagan Valley. The faculties are state of the Art. Wine tasting by appointment are a joy. Dilemma 2011 made our list for Best Wines of 2014

Clos du Soleil 2568 Upper Bench Road, Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N4 is a small artisan winery and estate vineyard on the South Similkameen Valley Upper Bench; with a brand new tasting room. John Schreiner a well know wine writer gave their cellar of wines scores of 90 plus. He gave Clos du Soleil Estate Reserve White 2013 a 95. Michael Clark is the winemaker the Consultant is Ann Sperling . The valley is a very beautiful place to be; a must visit location as is the winery. The name Clos du Soleil, a French term meaning an enclosed Vineyard of the Sun.

Kraze Legzs Winery 141 Fir Ave. PO Box 108 Kaleden , BC V0H 1K0 Located in historic Kaleden, BC over looking Skaha lake. It is a beautiful winery! With very delightful and charming owners. Kraze Legz Winery is a throwback to simpler times when the decade was roaring the music was jazzed and dancing required kraze legz. Its fun place to visit. Toss in their award winning wines and you definitely have a winery to put on your Must Visit list once again.

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery 1730 Mission Hill Road West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley British Columbia, Canada V4T 2E4 This is a winery that has it all. Amazing architecture, numerous events a world class restaurant and award winning wines. A six-year transformation of Mission Hill Winery was completed under the watchful eye of a dedicated team of international architects, designers and craftsmen who share Anthony von Mandl vision to create a landmark that will stand the test of time and delight visitors from around the world. WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada top winery 2015.

Muse Winery 11195 Chalet Road, North Saanich, BC It is amazing what Jane & Peter Ellmann have done with Saanich Peninsula since they purchased it in 2008. It is THE place to be. The tasting room is a very busy place due to thee quality of the wines and the Bistro Muse THE place to dine. My wife and I make it a point to have lunch at the winery when in Victoria. We have a glass of Bacchus and Ortega. The Ortega is the best I have tasted in years. Look out world the Muse Winery is putting Saanich on the map more

Painted Rock Estate Winery 400 Smythe Drive Penticton, BC, Canada, V2A 8W6 An Okanagan Gem; winner of the 2014/15 Inteervine International Wine Awards. The winery features beautiful surrounds, astonishing architecture and stimulating wines of perfection. The winery uses only grapes grown on its own estate. If you want to know how good a Canadian wine can taste try any Painted Rock offering. Chances are its won a major award or media acclaim. The new facilities were unveiled in September, 2013. The tasting room sits on a picturesque bluff overlooking our estate vineyards and Skaha Lake. The tasting room was a winner at the 2014 Architecture Design Awards The architecture of Painted Rock provides the perfect setting for a modern wedding theme. more

Poplar Grove 425 Middle Bench Road North Penticton BC Canada V2A 8S5 One of the first wineries you see as you enter the Naramata Bench is Poplar Grove with its new 10,000-square-foot . The winery which opened in July 2011 sits high on the flank of Munson Mountain. It is a magnificent facility with a reputation for making fine wines. The Legacy, the winery’s iconic red wine is a must taste wine.

Sea Star Estate Farm and Vineyards 6621 Harbour Hill Drive Pender Island, B.C., V0N 2M1 Can hard work and determination make you successful! Owner David Goudge and his winemaker Ian Baker have proven it with their Pender Island winery. 2015 was a good year for the winery. The Northwest Wine Summit placed them in the Wineries of Distinction. Numerous events and celebrations are held through out the year. The vineyards are beautiful offering spectacular vistas of the sea. The fact that they have sold out of every wine in their cellar highlights the quality of their wines.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery 4870 Chute Lake Road Kelowna, BC Canada V1W 4M3 One of the most popular wineries in the Okanagan. If you believe in the value of organic this is your winery. Summerhill is committed to producing 100% organic wine, and has received Demeter Biodynamic certification for our Kelowna vineyard in 2012 They have a most attractive visitor centre and Sunset Organic Bistro newly renovated for the 2015 season. Top it all off with a visit to their Pyramid and of course their amazing cellar of wines more

Volcanic Hills Vineyards and Cellar 2845 Boucherie Road West Kelowna, British Columbia Canada V1Z 2G6 Located on Mount Boucherie overlooking Lake Okanagan. The winery is owned by Sarwan Gidda who helped co-found Mt. Boucherie Estate. His son Bobby and daughter Christina created the design for Volcanic Hills Winery. Volcanic Hills made its mark in 2011 by winning a Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence for its 2010 rosé. Enjoy their icewine. They have a very nice restaurant called Blu Saffon Bistro. Numerous events are held through out the year.

 

Ontario

Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery 410 Concession 12 Townsend Road Waterford, ON N0E 1Y0 Who doesn't like lavender and wine. Named one of Norfolk's Top Ten Amazing Places in 2014 and Sustainable Tourism Ambassador Award winners in January 2015. Owners Steve and Anita Buehner can trace the history of their farm back to 1801. They live in a beautiful historic cottage. They also produce cider.

Di Profio Wines 4055 Nineteenth St. Jordan Station ON, L0R 1S0 Three generation have made up the history of the winery. Their first Canadian winemaker was Guiseppe Di Profio. Today his grandson Fred is the winemaker having worked at Pillitteri and Brock University He has a honour's degree Oenology and Viticulture from Brock University. They have a very nice wine tasting facility called the Zinc and a B&B among the vines. The Zinc Bistro is open for lunches Friday-Sunday, with cheese and charcuterie platters available all week long.

Fielding Estate Winery 4020 Locust Lane, Lincoln, ON L0R 1B2 The Fieldings searched the Niagara Region for the perfect location and came across the cozy Beamsville location with the rolling hills and the awe-inspiring view of Lake Ontario. Their winemaking skills proved very successful. Fielding Estate Winery was named one of Canada's Top 10 Wineries and was awarded this accolade again in 2013. Annually the Grape Grower's of Ontario select a Grape Grower of the Year (aka Grape King) and Curtis Fielding was selected to represent for the 2012/13 season. This accolade is awarded to grape growers who exemplify excellence and sustainability in Ontario's Grape Growing Industry. The Wine Lodge pays tribute to Northern Ontario’s cottage country, crafted from cedar, stone and glass with a breathtaking view of Toronto across Lake Ontario

Inniskillin 1499 Line #3 at the Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake Canada’s Original Estate Winery with over 35 years of producing award winning wines. They played a key role in the development of Canada's Icewines. Here you can learn about Icewine; compare different flavours of Icewine and discover the history of this historic winery The estate features several restored and redesigned historic buildings, including the Brae Burn Barn, circa 1920. Once home to Inniskillin’s French oak ageing barrels, the newly refurbished Founder’s Hall provides an exclusive dining forum where guests will enjoy wine inspired cuisine with a view into the modern Demonstration Kitchen. Numerous events are held through out the year. photo by Fred Couch

Southbrooks Vineyards 581 Niagara Stone Road, RR4 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0 Bill and Marilyn Redelmeier evolve the family business from a roadside stand in the 1980s to a thriving farm market. Then decided a winery would be a perfect addition to their successful market garden and farm. So they converted their 100 year old barn into a winery. Southbrook Vineyards Canada's first biodynamic winery certified by Demeter Brought on as a winemaking consultant in 2005, Ann Sperling introduces Bill and Marilyn to an excellent opportunity. A 74-acre parcel in the warm Four Mile Creek sub-appellation of Niagara-on-the-Lake is on the market, complete with 36 acres of ideally planted, well-selected varieties and top-notch clones. The couple realizes its potential, and decides on the new location to build the winery of their dreams. They convince Ann Sperling to sign on as full-time Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Today the award winning Pavilion welcomes guest from around the world.

Stratus Vineyards 2059 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada L0S 1J0 A magnificently designed winery in the heart of Ontario's wine country. Stratus It all begins with the incredible wines created by famed winemaker J-L Groux The Stratus vineyard is a sixty-two acre estate moderated by the effects of two bodies of water: the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Niagara-on-the Lake is a special habitat called the Carolinian Zone, an area known for rare species of plants and animals. The vineyards of Stratus benefit from a unique micro-climate that ranks among the warmest in Niagara. These temperatures are comparable to those of northern Rhone and are warmer than those in Bordeaux. Fruit Stratus is committed to responsible stewardship of the land. As a result, the winery is the first building in Canada to achieve LEEDTM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the Canada Green Building Council. Stratus was the first winery worldwide to fully achieve this designation. Environmental sustainability is a core value of all involved in the design and operation of Stratus This winery gives visitors the total experience from wine tasting, numerous events, fine dinning and guest suites.

Two Sisters Vineyards 240 John Street East Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Two Sisters Vineyards is driven by strong family values, comfort and authenticity and a genuine desire to give people something unique `- chef Justin Lessso An amazing location, an amazing facility and wines to match. With a Two Sisters Winery glass and a Journey of Flavours passport, guests visited each of 5 stations to sample delicious plates with the perfectly paired wine.  Read More

 

Saskatchewan

Crypruss Hills Box 122 Maple Creek, SK S0N 1N0 Yes Saskatchewan has a winery.* There is a mystic air about the Saskatchewan Cypress Hills located in the southwest corner of the province A great place to live. This is where we find Marty and Marie Bohnet's winery.  The owners call it a “hobby gone bad” but the employees refer to it as “a dream come true”. The Winery Bistro features a beautiful selection of gourmet sandwiches, garden fresh salads and artisan cheese platters.  Finish your meal with a thick slice of homemade Saskatoon pie!  Seasonal!

Nova Scotia

Domaine de Grand Pré Highway 1, P.O. Box 105 Grand Pré, N.S. BOP 1M0 Our property has been described as “world-class” – from the vineyards and museum to the restaurant and tours. Our 25,000 visitors each year certainly speak volumes about the experience you’ll get at Domaine de Grand Pré The restaurant Le Caveau has won numerous awards as have their wines. The museum offers a look at the history of wines

Avondale Sky Winery 80 Avondale Cross Road RR #2 Newport Landing NS B0N 2A0 Avondale Sky opened their doors to the public in the fall of 2011 and have been producing award-winning wines since 2009.Winery of the Year, 2015 Atlantic Canadian Wine Awards. Recipient of a 2014 Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence in Nova Scotia Wine. Owners Stewart Creaser and Lorraine Vassalo purchased a historic church and had it moved to the winery. Winning the Nova Scotia Heritage Trust’s 2011 Heritage Built Award, Commercial Division. “Today the great travelling church is one of the most tranquil and lovely wine tasting rooms in the world.” – The Globe and Mail

Prince Edward Island

Rossignol Estate Winery RR4 Murray River Prince Edward Island C0A 1W0 Come to Prince Edward Island and meet the passionate owner and winemaker John Rossignol is the only winery in PEI, located in Little Sands along the picturesque south shore of Prince Edward Island. John l left his home in Ontario in1990 moving to Little Sands PEI. The winery opened in 1995. John has received an number of awards for his wines. John's wife Dagny Dryer Rossignol is an artist the winery features her in their Gallery.

 

Quebec

Domaine des Cotes d’Ardoise 879, rue Bruce, (Road 202) Dunham (QC) J0E 1M0 The oldest operating vineyard in Quebec. It has a long list of notable awards and achievements. The beautiful grounds provides a host for an exhibition of sculptures gathered from more than 80 artists. Numerous events are offered through out the year including Sunday Brunch

Clos Saragret 100, chemin Richford Frelighsburg Québec Owner Christian Barthomeuf, a pioneers of modern viticulture of Quebec, planted the first vineyard in Dunham in 1979, was the creator of ice cider in 1989 and planted the first vineyard in Sutton and Frelighsburg. Clos Saragnat is also a research center specializing in wine-growing and fruit wine. Winners of numerous awards, and winner of numerous gold medals and other distinctions , he has also designed "Chapelle Ste Agnès"

 

For the Family

 

Applewood Farm & Winery Stouffville, Ontario Applewood Farm Winery opened it's doors in September of 2000. The winery has a warm and comfortable atmosphere. There is a large tasting bar where you can sample award winning wine and chat with the wine maker. Applewood makes fruit wines,mead and cider. You can browse through a collection of gift ware, jams, jellies and much more. In the spring enjoy fresh fruit that you can pick yourself along with apples in the fall. There are farm animals to see a petting zoo, corn maze, and wagon rides.

The Ice House Niagara-on-the-Lake Ice Wine Maker, Jamie Macfarlane, began his winemaking career in Côte D’Or, France. When he returned to Canada he joined the team to create the first Niagara commercial Icewine.  Jamie produced countless award-winning wines during his 25 years as a senior Canadian winemaker.  In 2005, he fulfilled his dream to establish The Ice House Winery and become the Ice wine maker of the highest quality product. Karen King, Jamie’s wife and business partner is passionate about the magic of Icewine. She applies her food and sensory expertise to The Ice House Winery to support Jamie’s expertise as a master winemaker. Visitors to the winery report that it is very friendly towards children and has Iced slushies they can enjoy. Polaris a life-sized sculpture of the Canadian polar bear provides a great opportunity for a family photo. 2015 Gold Monde Selection Winner Vidal IcewineVintage 2005

Krause Berry Farm 6179 248th Street Langley BC The family fun berry farm that added a fruit winery. A super fun filled visit for the whole family. From the Future Farmers at Work Play" playground , to the petting zoo to fresh strawberry pie on the porch. Taste the wines stay for dinner enjoy numerous events. Their is a huge market to explore and of course tractor rides read more

 

Yes we may have missed some great wineries, if you wish to tell us about them we would love to hear from you

The wineries to watch in 2015~ 2016

Best Wines of 2014 ~ Best Wines of 2015

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