Anthony Buchanan

205 Lombardy Place
Kaleden, BC,V0H 1K0

Anthony began his winemaking career in 2006. After completing several wine-related courses and getting his feet wet in cellars on Vancouver Island and in the Okanagan Valley,He decided he needed more education if we were going to be successful. In 2009 he started the Enology program at Washington State University and shortly after packed up and moved to the Okanagan to fully submerge myself in the wine industry. In 2014 he sucessfully launch his own label.

In 2022 he opened his winery in Kaleden on the Vantage Point property. A true family winery with wife and co-owner Nichol and two children Ashlyn and Lawson.

His wines are that good! Watch for more in 2023!

 

Mark Simpson

Sonora Desert Winery
10238 160th Avenue
Osoyoos, BC, V0H 1V2

 

 

Mark Simpson is a talent winemaker and consultant for numerous wineries. You can be assured wines made under is own label rank among the best !

Mark's beverage career was launched in 1982 with the Molson Breweries after he earned a microbiology degree at the University of British Columbia. In 1992 Mark became the brew master for the Granville Island Brewing Company in Vancouver, developing such popular beers as Cypress Honey Lager.

It was not until 2001 that Mark discover the joys and passion of making wine. Mark had accepted a position with Vincor (Later called Constellation Brands ) managing their winemaking kit division. His role at Vincor included winemaking as Director of Research, Development and Quality Assurance.

In 2007 he set up his own company in Vancouver Artisan Food & Beverage Corp., a consulting company.

In 2010 Mark created his own label Siren’s Call made at Alto Wine Group (now Synchromesh Wines) from carefully selected Okanagan Grapes.

Artisan Food & Beverage Group, one of Western Canada’s premier wine consulting groups, has announced the acquisition of Sonora Desert Winery and South Okanagan Craft Distillery.

Founder and Winemaker Mark Simpson has partnered with Siren’s Call Wines Sales Director and British Columbia wine industry veteran Teresa Centanni to acquire the stunning property located roughly 5 kilometres north of Osoyoos.

Keep your eye on Mark Simpson.

Black Hills Estate Winery

30880 Black Sage Road
Oliver, BC

Back Hills Estate Winery vineyards have some of the most favourable grape growing conditions in the country, resulting in exceptional terroir. Located on the famed Black Sage Road, 13 kilometres north of Osoyoos, BC and 10 kilometres south of Oliver, BC. 

The winery has a long history of producing amazing wines. This tradition should continue under the new owners Andrew Peller Ltd.

The winemaker is Ross Wise.

Blue Grouse Estate Winery

2182 Lakeside Road
Duncan, BC V9L 6M3

One of the older Estae winerie on Vancouver Island . Who over the years gained a reputation for great wines

The 31 acre winery was build one vine at a time by the Kiltz family. Aug 2012 the winery was sold to New owners Paul, Christina, and daughter Paula Brunner - They build a new winery and tasting room renovations, the addition of a boutique inn with a farm-to-table style restaurant, and vineyard updates that would help realize the property's full potential. 

In Dec of 2022 the winery was sold to the Jackson Family of Wines from California.

 

Bottega Wine Studio

665 Beecroft Avenue
Cawston, BC V0X 1C2

 

A Family owned and operated winery built on passion and creativity. Owners Kristine and Daniel Bontorin have created a home and winery for themselves in the Similkameen

The Bontorins have planted just over 3.5 acres of vineyard on their estate that includes Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Grenache to support and grow their Seven Directions Rosé portfolio.

Wine writer Anthony Gismondi has high praise for their wines along with many others. 2023 should be their year to shine!

“It might be hard to find an Okanagan winemaker more passionate for rosé than Daniel Bontorin. His own label, Seven Directions, produces only rosé – but rosé with a difference.” John Schreiner

 

Bordertown Winery and Vineyards

9140 92nd Avenue
Osoyoos, BC

Castoro de Oro Estate Winery

404 Highway 97
Oliver BC V0H 1T1

Bruno Kelle and Stella Schmidt  feel in love with the Okanagan back in 2003. They decided to purchase a winery in Oliver, Canada's Wine Capital.

It was the right decision. They have taken the winery to new heights producing some of the best wines in the province.

 

Chaberton Estate Winery

1064 216 St.
Langley City, BC V2Z 1R3

The pride of the Fraser Valley founded in 1975. Chaberton is the most popular winery in the Fraser Valley. Known for it award winning Bacchus and Siegerrebe.

Their Cabernet Sauvignon was also received a double gold;

Chaberton Estate Winery produces over 50,000 cases of wine a year, made not only from grapes grown in their vineyard but also from grapes grown in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.

Checkmate Artisan Winery

4799 Wild Rose Street
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

The Golden Mile Winery is owned by Anthony von Mandl. They are known around the world for there Chardonnay.

Their 2015 and 2016 Little Pawn Chardonnar award a perfect 100 by noted wine writer John Schreiner.

In addition to Chardonnay, the winery expects to produce organic Merlot. Since winemaker Philip McGahan has a great deal of experience with Pinot Noir they will experiment with that variety.

Clos du Soleil 

2568 Upper Bench Rd,
Keremeos, BC V0X 1N4

A small artisan winery and vineyard on the South Similkameen Valley Upper Bench. They just keep producing top quality wines. Clos du Soleil recently purchased Whispered Secret Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley, BC, has been granted organic certification

Clos du Soleil farms four vineyards totalling 40 acres, all in the Similkameen Valley and all fully organic. “The quality of our wines is a direct consequence of our organic practices,” Michael Clark, winemaker,believes.

For those of us who review and score wines Clos du Soleil constantly gets scores in the 90's

Capella 2019 received a double Gold from Sip

They are always a winery to watch for!

Corcelettes Estate Winery

2582 Upper Bench Road
Keremeos, BC
V0X 1N4

One of the Silmilkameens better known wineries. Their Merlot 2019 was named “Best In Class” at this year‘s Alberta Beverage Awards by Culinaire Magazine! Corcelettes. The 2019 Syrah gold at Nationals.

Winemaker Brett Meier oined us in 2019 as a key player in our cellar and viticulture program. He brings forth several years of experience in the wine industry and has an incredible wealth of winemaking knowledge. Brett is meticulous in everything he does and is always keeping us "up to speed" on cutting edge winemaking tools and techniques.

Howling Bluff Estates

1086 Three Mile Rd
Penticton, BC V2A 8T6

Penticton, BC: Luke and Jennifer Smith announce a new partnership with Blair and Faith Gillingham, another Penticton family, at Howling Bluff Estate Winery on the Naramata Bench.  
With over 20 years of winemaking experience globally and the last several vintages making award-winning wines on the Naramata Bench, Blair now assumes the role of winemaker at Howling Bluff. This will allow Luke to take on a larger role of turning the winery into a net-zero farm and winery, and radically reducing use of fossil fuels at Howling Bluff.  
“It was time to bring some young energy to the winery, and I’m excited about Blair’s talent and his experience with cool climate wines here in Canada, Europe, and the Southern Hemisphere,” says Howling Bluff founder Luke Smith. 

JoieFarm Winery

2825 Naramata Rd
(Access through Aikins Loop)
Naramata, BC
V0H1N1

A very popular winery has a new owner. Alistair Veen and partners purchased the winery in June 2022.Veen is the owner & chef of South Surrey’s Tap Restaurant, which opened in 2007. He has received the Advanced Sommelier designation from the Court of Master Sommeliers and was named Best Sommelier of BC in 2016.

Along with the purchase of the winery and the four-acre vineyard property on-site, the new owners have purchased an additional 62 acres of vines throughout the Okanagan Valley, with plans to invest even further in acquiring estate vineyard properties.

 

Kalala Organic Vineyards

Lake Country, BC V4V 1K1

Founder and President Karnail Singh Sidhu left his native India in 1993 with an Electrical Engineering degree and 25 years of experience in agriculture. Upon his arrival in Canada, Karnail moved to the pristine Okanagan Valley and started a family. He learned his trade at Summer Hill Pyramid Winery developing organic techniques. The winery overlooks the lake, opening 5th of July 2008. The vineyards were deemed certified organic in September 2010.

Kalala Organic Estate Winery won top spot in the Chardonnay du Monde competition in 2016 for its 2013 Chardonnay Icewine

In 2020, the B.C. Grape Growers’ Association presented its inaugural Viticulturist of the Year award to Karnail.

 

La Frenz Winery

740 Naramata Road
Penticton, BC

A Naramata bench family owned winery with a reputation for producing high quality wines.

La Frenz is one of the most awarded wineries in Canada. Thus year along they collected over 20 medals in just two major competitions.

 Best Performing Small Winery Canada 2021 at the National Wine Awards

Always keep your eye on La Frenz!

Maverick Estate

29686 Highway 97
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

When you ask people about their favourite BC wines Maverick is always mentioned. The winery is doing exceeding well under winemaker Andrew Windsor, .

They received a Platinum medal & 94 points for their 2019 Bush Vine Syrah at the 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada. They also gather 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze.

They added more awards in 2022.

Meyer Family Vineyards

4287 McLean Creek Rd,
Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R1

Meyer Family Vineyards has been crafting premium wines in the Okanagan Valley since 2006 and in 2010 they opened a tasting room in Okanagan Falls.

The Meyer Family Vineyards they were awarded Gold for their Micro Cuvée Old Main Road Vineyard Chardonnay at Decanter worlds. They also pick up a number of medals at the National Wine Awards.

Make sure you keep your eye on them in 2022.

Monte CreekWinery

404 Highway 97
Oliver BC

You have to be impressed what what Monte Creek Winery has done since the Sidhus family immigranted from the Punjab in India

Situated on the biodiverse 1,200-acre property just a 10-minute drive outside Kamloops City, Monte Creek Winery offers guests a breath-taking view of 75-acres of vines.

It would take this entire page to list all of the awards they have recieved in recent years.

Their growth has been a Canadian success story!

Niche Wine Co

1901 Bartley Road
West Kelowna , B.C
V1Z 2M6 Canada

Niche Wine Co is up and coming winery owned and operated n by Joanna and James Schlosser who believe the vineyard occupies an ecological niche and the wine business represents a career niche for them.

The winery has been established in a former barn on a rural property purchased in 1980 by James's parents, Kelowna lawyers Jerold and Kathleen Schlosser, who began planting in 1997.

It is their passion for the wine that makes them a winery to Watch For in 2023.

Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery

2320 Oliver Ranch Road
Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0

Noble Ridge Vineyard Winery lays in the Okanagan Valley at the northern most tip of the only desert in Canada. The winery is named for the noble varieties of grapes grown and the ridge that divides the land on which they thrive. 

 

Golld All Canadains

Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery, BC           2017       King’s Ransom Meritage $80.50

The Pink one - Sparking Wine

Gold King Ranson Chardonnay

Double Gold..White Blend Mingle

Plus a silver and two bronze

 

Haywire Wines

16576 Fosbery Rd
Summerland, BC
V0H 1Z6

A very busy summer for OCP as they make numerous upgrades.

January 2023 name chaged to Haywire Wines

Matt Dumayne joined OCP in 2013 taking on role of Chief Winemaker. Matt received his winemaking training in New Zealand and has worked over 30 vintages around the world increasing his knowledge and perfecting his craft. 

Katrina D'Costa, production winemaker spent 12 years in the restaurant industry as a Sous Chef and Front-of-House Management. D’Costa then moved to the wine industry in Naramata Bench for 6 years working as a Tasting Room Manage.

This team will once again produce outstanding wines for 2023.

Painted Rock Estate Winery

400 Smythe Road
Penticton, BC V2A 846

 

Consultant Alain Sutre of Ertus Consulting in Bordeaux oversees the vineyard and winemaking team, lead locally by Gabriel Reis. This combination alone is enough to make Painted Rock a winery to watch in 2023

 

Toss in a very passionate winery owner John Skinner.

They will continue to make superior wines in 2023.

 

Poplar Grove Winery

425 Middle Bench Rd
Penticton, BC
V2A 8T6

One of Naramata Bench most popular wineries. Founded in 1993, Poplar Grove Winery is one of the original five wineries on the Naramata Bench. Tony and Barb Holler purchased the winery in 2007 with the long-term vision and commitment to building one of the most respected wine growing estates in Canada.

The Legacy, 2019. Okanagan Valley, 750 ml. winner NY world wine competition.

At the 17th annual Decanter World Wine Awards, Poplar Grove Winery was awarded a prestigious gold medal for its signature blend, The Legacy.

 

Ruby Blues

 

The funkiest, small boutique winery in the South Okanagan.new Graham Pierce is headed to the Naramata Bench. Pierce has joined Ruby Blues as full time Head Winemaker.

Graham has an extensive knowledge of the Okanagan wine region in addition to his experience in the winery operations. 

Prudence Mahrer co-ownwer with her husband Beat knows the Narmata grapes like no one else

 

SpearHead Winery

3950 Spiers Rd,
Kelowna, BC V1W 4B3

Located ten miles from Kelowna's city hall the winery sits atop of Spier Road. To reach the tasting room and gallery you must drive through the Orchards and vineyards. The winery opened in 2010 and is owned by Bill and Marina Knutson along with Bruce Hirtle/Vancouver; William Knutson/Vancouver.

There is not enough space here to list all the awards their wines have received.

Named Best Performing small winery at the All Canadian.

Symphony Vineyards

6409B Oldfield Rd
Saanichton, BC
V8M1X8

Symphony vineyard has been farmed by the Brooks family in Central Saanich since the mid 1950's.  First in strawberries and then 20 acres of loganberries.  They planted our first vines in 2004 and focus on crisp, dry, aromatic white wines and rosé, and lightly barrel aged, fruit forward reds.

Its a true small family winery making wines beyound expectations.

Tight Rope Winery

 

1050 Fleet Road
Penticton, BC, Canada, V2A 8T7

After years of studying and working for other wineries Lyndsay and Graham O'Rourke decided to open their own winery. Having attained honours degrees in both oenology and viticulture while studying in New Zealand at Lincoln University, Lyndsay and Graham made a welcome return to the Okanagan Valley, settling on the Naramata Bench in 2007.

From the beginning Graham & Lyndsay knew they wanted Tightrope Winery to be a sustainable business. After all, the property was also to be the home to their young family, and they wanted to ensure it would be a healthy environment for their family for generations.

 

They produce some of BC's best Wines!

 

Time Family of Wines

361 Martin Street

Penticton, British Columbia

Winemaker Lynzee Schatz is on firer. The wines she is producing are amazing!

The winery was originally founded by Harry McWatters. Ron and Shelly Mayert purchased the winery along with the Evolve Cellars brand and the McWatters Collection July1 2020. T

Evolve Cellars Effervescence, Chronos Rosé   and Chronos Chardonnay  all won double gold at the All Canadians.

TIME Family of Wines’ Penticton location is gearing up to reveal its stunning new Chronos Tasting Room, as well as the launch of OROLO, a new restaurant and cocktail bar option for Penticton – both scheduled to open Spring 2023

Van Westen Vineyards

2800A Aikins Loop
Naramata, BC
V0H 1N0

It is all about the skills of the winemaker Robert Van Westen.

In 2022 Rob received 8 medals from the National Wine Awards.

His Viognier is among the best produced in the Okanagan.

His red blends are also very popular.

Watch for Van Westen Wines!

Vanessa Vineyards

 

1090 Highway 3,
Cawston, BC V0X 1C3

Vanessa is owned by two Vancouver businessmen: real estate developer Suki Sekhon and retired stock broker John Welson.

They purchased the land in 2006. The vineyard sits on a hillside above Highway 3, south of Cawston. It is almost diagonally across the highway from the Seven Stones Winery. Vanessa Vineyard's grapes are cultivated on 75 acres of sloping, well drained, rocky terrain. The vines grow in rows of rocks, absorbing the day heat and imparting that warmth during the cooler nights.

Vintner Howard Soon is producing award-winning wines here

2014 Meritage – Gold – Intervin International Wine Awards 2018
2014 Meritage – Double Gold – Wine Press Northwest Platinum Competition 2019

2018 Syrah – Double Gold – All Canadian Wine Championship 2021
2016 Syrah – Silver – BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards 2020

 

And the list goes on!

Wesbert Winery Ltd., BC    

1465 Naramata Rd
Penticton

The Joubert family, originally from South Africa, founded Wesbert Winery in 2019 and garnered an instant reputation for the warm hospitality South Africans are known for.

 

Situated on the famous Naramata Road outside Penticton, British Columbia, Wesbert Winery is home to a working vineyard cultivating five varietals of grapes to produce its wines. 

Best red at the All Canadian Championships 2022 their 2020 Syrah

Whispering Horse Winery

 43721 Vedder Mountain Road,
Chilliwack, BC, V2R,

 Located in beautiful Yarrow, BC, Whispering Horse Winery is a family-owned boutique winery that aims to showcase the unique terroir of the Fraser Valley through the production of high-quality wines made from 100% estate grown grapes.

Winner of a double gold at the all Canadians

 

Festina Lente Estate Winery Ltd.

21113 16th Avenue
Langley BC, V2Z 1K3

An amazing cellar of really good meads!

Located in the beautiful countryside of Langley township ( horse country) near the USA boarder. The meadery is owned by Teresa Townsley and Bill Townsley

As beekeepers and winemakers, it was a natural fit to explore the lost tradition of Mead or Honey Wines. Of course, over the years, tastes change and we have developed a drier and more sophisticated honey wine that can be appreciated for many years. Honey wine is the white wine that ages like a red, so white wine drinkers can now command room in the most refined cellars and enjoy the depth and breadth of ever changing flavours over time.

Wards Hard Cider

2287 Ward Rd
Kelowna, BC
V1W 4R5

 

This is the cider house that made me realize how good cideries can be.

Great Grandad Ward emigrated from England to Canada in the early 1900’s and moved onto our family orchard in 1918. In 1922 Wards Packinghouse was built and became the main packing facility for neighbouring Southeast Kelowna orchardists.

In the 1970’s, grandsons Ted and Chris Turton took over ownership and management of the property and continued growing premium pears, cherries and dessert apples as well as vitis vinifera grapes.

Later, under Chris’s lead, an apple belt-press was installed into the old packinghouse and the framework for Wards Cider was laid. In 2006 his daughter Jennifer Turton-Molgat joined the company and became involved in developing the family estate into a winery and cidery.