What grapes are grown in British Columbia and what are the top wines coming out of the BC wine country?
The British Columbia wine regions have a diverse macro and microclimates ranging from hot and arid to intercoastal rainforests, which are well suited to all styles of wine from still wine to sparkling wine and fortified and dessert wines.
Of the 80+ grape varietals grown in British Columbia each year, the following list depicts the most popular and most abundantly produced based on the amount of vineyard acreage that is planted. (Source)
The most famous wine produced in Canada is Ice Wine, a sweet wine made from frozen grapes.
TOP 10 RED VARIETIES
- Gamay Noir
- Maréchal Foch
- Malbec
- Petit Verdot
- Zweigelt
TOP 10 WHITE VARIETIES
- Pinot Gris
- Chardonnay
- Gewürztraminer
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Blanc
- Viognier
- Ortega
- Ehrenfelser
- Blattner Whites
Now, if you’re looking for where to sip BC wines or which BC wines are worth sipping, the BC Wine Institute has helped to narrow it down. Every year, the group asks wine lovers to vote for their favorite British Columbia wineries. Here are some of the top picks!
BEST BC SPARKLING
OKANAGAN VALLEY, SUMMERHILL PYRAMID WINERY CIPES BRUT
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY, CORCELETTES ESTATE WINERY SANTÉ
VANCOUVER ISLAND, UNSWORTH VINEYARDS CHARMES DE L’ILE
FRASER VALLEY, BACKYARD VINEYARDS BLANC DE NOIR
THOMPSON VALLEY, MONTE CREEK RANCH WINERY SPARKLING 2017
GULF ISLANDS, SALT SPRING VINEYARDS WINERY & B&B KARMA
BEST BC ROSÉ WINE
OKANAGAN VALLEY, QUAILS’ GATE WINERY LUCY’S BLOCK ROSÉ
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY, CORCELETTES ESTATE WINERY ORACLE ROSÉ
LILLOOET, FORT BERENS ESTATE WINERY ROSÉ
FRASER VALLEY, BACKYARD VINEYARDS ROSÉ
VANCOUVER ISLAND, UNSWORTH VINEYARDS ROSÉ
GULF ISLANDS, SEA STAR ESTATE FARM AND VINEYARDS BLANC DE NOIR
BEST BC RED WINE
OKANAGAN VALLEY, BLACK HILLS ESTATE WINERY NOTA BENE
THOMPSON VALLEY, PRIVATO VINEYARD AND WINERY RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2012
VANCOUVER ISLAND, AVERILL CREEK VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY, CLOS DU SOLEIL SIGNATURE RED
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY, CORCELETTES ESTATE WINERY PINOT NOIR
FRASER VALLEY, TOWNSHIP 7 VINEYARDS & WINERY BLACK DOG
GULF ISLANDS, SEA STAR ESTATE FARM AND VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR and SEA STAR ESTATE FARM AND VINEYARDS ENCORE
BEST BC WHITE
OKANAGAN VALLEY, WILD GOOSE VINEYARDS AND WINERY AUTUMN GOLD
FRASER VALLEY, CHABERTON WINERY BACCHUS
SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY, CORCELETTES ESTATE WINERY GEWÜRTRAMINER
LILLOOET, FORT BERENS ESTATE WINERY RIESLING
VANCOUVER ISLAND, AVERILL CREEK PINOT GRIGIO
GULF ISLANDS, SEA STAR ESTATE FARM AND VINEYARDS PINOT GRIS
Touring BC Wine Country
With countless wineries in British Columbia to sip in, narrowing down which ones to visit can be a challenge. If you’re looking for BC wineries with amazing tours take a peek at these. We’ve also noted a few with stellar tasting rooms that will enhance any BC wine country visit.
BEST BC WINERY TOURS
- OKANAGAN VALLEY, MISSION HILL FAMILY ESTATE WINERY
- SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY, SEVEN STONES WINERY
- FRASER VALLEY, CHABERTON WINERY
- THOMPSON VALLEY, MONTE CREEK RANCH WINERY
- VANCOUVER ISLAND, UNSWORTH VINEYARDS
- GULF ISLANDS, SEA STAR ESTATE FARM AND VINEYARDS
BEST BC TASTING ROOMS
- OKANAGAN VALLEY, SILVER SAGE WINERY
- SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY, CORCELETTES ESTATE WINERY
- FRASER VALLEY, CHABERTON WINERY
- LILLOOET, FORT BERENS ESTATE WINERY
- VANCOUVER ISLAND, AVERILL CREEK VINEYARD
- GULF ISLANDS, SEA STAR ESTATE FARM AND VINEYARDS
