Robert Bell's
Wines of Canada
Since 1992
Wineries of
The Golden Mile Bench
Checkmate Artisan Winery
4799 Wild Rose Street
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0
|
|
Anthony von Mandl owner of Mission Hills Winery bought the winery and vineyards of Antelope Ridge ( Original name was Domaine Combret ) because of its success with Chardonnay. Antelope Ridge was the supplier for Mission Hills award winning Chardonnay.
The CheckMate tasting room is a clever pop-up structure designed by Tom Kundig, the star Seattle architect who redesigned Mission Hill Family Estate winery two decades ago.
Philip McGahan, a young Australian who had been working with a top
Pinot Noir producer in Sonoma, has been hired as CheckMate’s winemaker
and general manager
In addition to Chardonnay, the
winery expects to produce organic
Merlot. Since Philip has a great deal of experience with Pinot
Noir they will experiment
with that variety.
2019 will see new facilities!
CheckMate Artisanal Winery has been awarded a perfect 100-point score by John Schreiner for its 2015 Little Pawn Chardonnay, the first time a Canadian table wine has ever achieved a perfect score. Oh Wow the 2016 also scored 100.
The orginal vineyard Dekleva is located beneath Mt Kobau and the Thompson Plateau. These hardonnay these vines were planted 40+ years ago
Philosophy: To make new world Chardonnay with old world elegance in North America.
|
Culmina Family Estate Winery
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0
|
|
Nested in the hills of the Golden Mile is the new winery (2013) of Donald Triggs. He is joined by his wife Elanine and his Daughter Sara. They have opened Culmina Family Estate Winery.
Culmina, named from the Latin word for peak, is not just another Okanagan winery: it is a legacy project for the Triggs family.
Sara Triggs, the youngest of their three daughters and with a master's in wine business from the University of Adelaide, agreed to join her parents in a family winery
The winery has a new gravity-flow winery, with a capacity to produce 6,000 to 8,000 cases a year, was built last year, surrounded by vineyards on the Golden Mile, on western flank of the south Okanagan Valley . One of the vineyards, with an elevation touching almost 600 meters, is the highest vineyard in the Okanagan
In 2007 The Triggs purchased 44 acres from Olivier Combret and his family, then the owners of Antelope Ridge Estate now called
called Arise Bench.
The varieties planted in Arise, lowest and warmest of the vineyards, are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec
In 2009 they purchased another 60 acres. Divided into two vineyards upper and lower.
Stan's Bench (lower), which has both heat pockets and cooler exposures, is planted to Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Margaret's Bench is planted to Chardonnay, Riesling and 2.3 acres of Grüner Veltliner. This is the first planting of that Austrian white in the Okanagan.
Pascal Madevon, prominent Bordeaux-trained winemaker and viticulturalist joins Don, Elaine & Sara Triggs at CULMINA FAMILY ESTATE WINERY as Vineyard Manager & Winemaker
Donald Triggs is the the former chief executive of Vincor International Ltd.
Culmina’s Reserve Tasting is a structured, sit-down guided tasting that takes place in the winery’s Tasting Room. Seated around the Triggs’ beautiful Doukhobor antique table, guests will be able to learn about Culmina’s appreciation for artistry, science, and excellence while enjoying the entire portfolio in an absolutely stunning, relaxed setting
A Salmon-Safe Winery
Winemakers: Jean-Marc Enixon
Philosophy: Creating wines of excellence through the blending of art and science.
The Triggs' ultimate goal is to make wines that fully express the most desirable characteristics of the varieties planted, and the uniqueness of each block of terroir; wines that are elegant, rich, intensely flavoured, and capable of long term cellaring. The winemaking process is guided at every stage by two key principles: gentle handling / Minimal intervention
July 2019 ARTERRA WINES CANADA ACQUIRES CULMINA FAMILY ESTATE WINERY
|
Fairview Cellars Winery
989 Cellars Road,
Oliver BC, V0H 1T5
|
|
Fairview Cellars, owned and operated by Danielle and Dermott Hutton, is a family-run winery committed to sustainable practices.
Danielle serves as the Winemaker, while Dermott oversees the vineyard management. In 2016 they relocated with their young family to Oliver permanently, to work in the firehall brewery as co-owners and assist in the growth of operations in the “Old Firehall” heritage building on Main Street. They purchased the winery in April 2022.
Danielle, as Co-Owner and Winemaker, is a vital contributor to the winery's spirit. Her passion for creating exceptional experiences stems from years of hospitality management in remarkable restaurants across BC and the world. Beyond the winery, Danielle actively contributes to organizations fostering tourism and the future of the BC wine industry. Her commitment to crafting wines that authentically reflect the unique terroir of the Okanagan Valley is fueled by a genuine love for the art of winemaking.
A boutique winery located on the Reed Creek alluvial Fan at the North end of the Benches of the Golden Mile. Fairview Cellars is the culmination of a life long quest of Bill Eggert’s to own and operate his own winery. Bill had been producing wines since 1997.
The vineyard has 2.4 hectares. Fairview Cellars is primarily known for the three bordeaux classics; ..... These are showcased both as single varietal wines and in blends like 'The Bear', 'Bucket of Blood' and 'Two Hoots'. In the best Cabernet Sauvignon years, Bill produces a top single varietal wine called 'Iconoclast'. This wine stays in the best barrels for a period of 36 months before being bottled and held again for at least 6 months. In 2020 the current vintage release of this wine is the 2012. Fairview also has a small planting of Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Petit Verdot.
Bill's other Vineyard south of Vaseaux Lake called the Eagle Bluff Vineyard, is where all of the Pinot Noir for the Crooked Post Pinot Noir is grown as well as a small amount of Gruner Vetliner.
Philosophy:
|
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery
Road 8, RR1, Site 23, Comp 4
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0
|
|
Gehringer Brothers' dream of an estate winery was conceived in the year 1973. After high school, Walter Gehringer went to
West Germany. There he acquired their fine wine-making skills. After five years he graduated from the world renowned University of Geisenheim
with an engineering degree in viticulture and oceanology. His brother Gordon also spent four years in West Germany acquiring the wine master's
art, graduating with a degree from Weinsberg. The present buildings were built in 1985 the same year as their first vintage.
The wineries cellars are built either into or beneath the hillside
They produce over 30,00 cases each year. The estate vineyards have 10,5 hectares.
They produce mostly white wines such as Riesling, Auxerrios and Ehrenfelser
in an off dry german style. In 1996 they bought Dry Rock Vineyards located
right next door. This vineyard is planted with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,
and Cabernet Sauvignon
Their labels include Dry Rock Vineyards and Optimum .
Winemakers: Walter and Gordon Gehringer:
Philosophy: In the fall the grapes are pressed and
a portion of the juice is stored fresh and fermented. Before bottling in the
spring,we blend the unfermented juice which has retained its rich flavour,back
into the dry wine. This results in the varietal fruit flavours components being
combined with the developed wine, yielding a complex full-bodied wine.
|
Hester Creek Estate Winery
13163—326th
Avenue(at Road 8)
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0
|
 |
Hester Creek Estate Winery is situated within some of British Columbia's oldest vineyards in the bountiful Golden Mile
region. The 95-acre, Mediterranean-influenced grounds, winery, and guest villas evoke an old-world sense of tranquility that take you back
to a more simple, unhurried era: a time when a young girl named Hester pondered life and daydreamed by the edge of the creek that would
later take her name. The winery is owned by Curt Garland.
Hester
Creek's vineyard is just south of Oliver on a spectacular piece of benchland
referred to as the Golden Mile. This benchland is considered to be the best
grape-growing area in the Okanagan Valley. The vineyard is planted mainly with
Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Trebbiano. Future planting
will include Gamay. Hester Creek has 83 acres of agricultural land, of which
75 are under vine. Trebbiano Dry is one of their most noted wines
Although the winery is among the Okanagan's oldest it has a new wine shop and
tasting room for visitors to enjoy. There is a relaxing patio and a guest villa.
Also a new 23,000 square foot state-of-the-art wine producing facility. The
35,000 case capacity winery for crush 2009 is partially buried in the hill
to take advantage of the natural temperature control of the earth and thereby
reduce the need for energy. The cellar room is completely underground and the
site’s natural vegetation has been restored on the top of the building.
Signature Wines: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Trebbiano
Unique Offerings: Trebbiano, Late Harvest Pinot Blanc, Double Magnum Cabernet Sauvignon,
The 2013 Syrah-Viognier wins a 2016 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in BC Wine
Winemaker: Robert Summers
Winemaking Philosophy: strict attention to detail and quality produces truly superior wines. Only fully mature
and healthy fruit arrives at the crushing platform, and the best French and American oak barrels are used in the fermenting and aging
processing to bottling is performed meticulously and the utmost care is used in the fermenting of our wines.

|
Inniskillin Okanagan
Road II, R.R.#1 S24, C5
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0
|
|
The winery is a partnership between Inniskillin and the Inkameep Indian Band. The band has 265 acres of premium Vitis vinifera
grapes.
Inniskillin Okanagan vinified its first vintage in 1994 producing 3,300 cases of VQA Merlot, Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Icewine. Current production is about 20,000 cases of VQA wines annually. Winemaker and general manager Sandor
Mayer has worked with Inniskillin since 1990. Winemaking
Dark Horse Estate: Inniskillin's 23 acre 'Dark Horse' Estate
Vineyard is located on the western slope of the valley. north of the Osoyoos Lake.
Bull Pine Vineyard: Along picturesque mountain slopes that stretch up to 200 feet above Osoyoos Lake in the southern-most tip of the Okanagan
Valley, BC, thousands of new vines are starting to grow. The first single vineyard has been named the Bull Pine Estate Vineyard. The Osoyoos
Lake area enjoys high heat during the day balanced by the nighttime cooling effect of the lake, providing optimum conditions for vine growth
and grape ripening.
The winery is a heritage property that has been completely updated
. The original owners tunneled 11 horizontal wine tanks into the hillside. which
(we believe) makes them the only winery to still use horizontal tanks.
A Salmon-Safe Winery
Winemaker: head winemaker Derek Kontkanen, Dave Carlson
Philosophy:s to make the best wine possible,
combing the latest technology and traditional methods while
respecting the varietal characteristics of the fruit he is given to
work with.
|
Road 13 Vineyards
799 Ponderosa Road
Road 13 RR#1 S28A C4
Oliver BC, V0H 1T0
|
|
Dec 2018 the winery was sold to von Mandl Family collection of wineries that includes Mission Hill Family Estate, CedarCreek Estate Winery, Martin’s Lane Winery and CheckMate Artisanal Winery.
A small farm winery operated by the Luckhurst family (Pam and Mick) who purchased the winery in 2003. The property came
with a vineyard, a winery and a name: Golden Mile Cellars. Since then, the Luckhursts and their winemaking team have come to understand the
significance and value that the term "Golden Mile" has to the wineries located in the area along Highway 97, between
Fairview and Road 18. As a renewed commitment to their land and to return the name "Golden Mile" to
the region, Golden Mile Cellars has proudly become Road 13 Vineyards - a name chosen to evoke a sense of place. Signature wines: Chardonnay
and Pinot Noir,
The winery now focus on Blends
Stemwinder (a white blend) and Rockpile (a red blend) Fifth Element (red), Honest
John’s White and Honest John’s
Red.
Their motto, "it's all about the dirt" reflects their belief that great wines start in the vineyard.
Platinum winner 2017 Nationals Road 13 Vineyards 2014 Similkameen Collective GSM, Similkameen Valley
Winemaker: Jeff Del Nin
Philosophy: "Winemaking is about
creating a final bottle that, when opened, conveys a sense
of place. "This is a special patch of dirt. I want our
wines to reflect that."
|
Rust Wine Co
4444 Golden Mile Rd
Oliver, BC
|
|
Opened in 2017 located on the famed Golden Mile Bench They also have vineyards in Osoyoos, Okanagan Falls, Similkameen.
The home vineyard 'South Rock' was originally purchased from the Crown in 1963 by John Tokios. In 1968 it was planted to Okanagan Riesling, Bacchus, Chancellor and other hybrid varietals that have since been replaced. This makes it one of the earliest established sites in British Columbia.
The Rust Wine Co. home vineyard is a 12-acre block that is the most Southern vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench. Rocky soils and a gentle East facing slope produce balanced mineral-laden reds and a rich Gewurztraminer
In the early 70’s the first vinifera was planted – Gewürztraminer, which was recommended through the Becker Project, often considered the second stage of BC wines evolution. The vineyard continued to be upgraded with more suitable varieties and now grows Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and some of BC’s only Zinfandel.
Why Rust : the evolution of Rust is unscripted. Its colour emerge from nature and blend in unpredictable forms. Rust therefore serves as a perfect metaphor for wine.
Vancouver businessman Sonny Haung purchased this vineyard in 2015. Same owner as Mt Boucherie.
Philosophy:
|
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
537 Tinhorn Creek Road
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0
|
|
Nestled on the hillside of a former gold mining creek, Tinhorn
Creek Vineyards sits unrivaled on top of the "Golden Mile"
in Oliver, "the Wine Capital of Canada", and offers a truly unique wine experience.
Tinhorn Creek is rapidly establishing themselves as one of the premiere wineries
in BC. Originally Winemaker Sandra Oldfield CEO and Kenn Oldfield (chairman) created
a winery worthy visiting. In 2017 the winery sold to Andrew Peller Ltd. Visitors will find a lush vineyard with views of
the grape crush pad, and impressive interior galleries overlooking the stainless
steel tanks, oak barrels and cellar.
Tinhorn Creek the first carbon neutral winery in Canada as well as the first winery in British Columbia to receive a certificate of recognition for its vigorous health and safety program. A Salmon-Safe Winery
Wines available in USA in 2014
The first carbon neutral certified winery in B.C. The winery team recently received an Occupational Safety Standard of Excellence certification, the first small business in B.C.’s food manufacturing industry to do so.
Philosophy:To produce only premium vinifera-based red and white table wines by focusing on tightly
controlled, low cropping,viticultural practices.

|
Willow Hills Wines
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0
|
na |
A small winery that exclusively produces icewines, owned by Lanny Swanky and Patricia Venables They have taken
the challenge of producing Merlot icewine. Their first vintage was in 2001.
Lanny and Patricia took over the dome-shaped Willow Hill property
in 1997. Then raw land, it is well located beside the road to the
Gehringer Brothers and Hester Creek wineries. Their target
is to produce a total of about 5,000 half bottles a year while selling the
rest of the vineyard’s grapes to other wineries.
They also produce icewine for clients such as Church and State and Dirty Laundry.
There are no tasting facilities
Winemaker Lanny Swanky
|
Osoyoos Lake Bench ~ The Golden Mile ~ Similkameen Valley ~ Okanagan Falls ~ Skaha Lake
~ Naramata Bench
Summerland and Peachland ~ Mount Boucherie ~ Kelowna and Lake Country ~ Northern ~ Kootenays
~ Thompson River Valley ~ Black Sage
Home | About |Sitemap | Wine Towns| Tourism
Links | BC Wineries | Salmon-Safe | Gallery| Okanagan | Contact
Us

©2024
Robert A Bell |