Wine Grapes of British Columbia

Colleagues, friends, fans and members of the general public often ask me -
Just what are you growing up there?
So, in an effort to shed some light on this dark secret, I will now reveal the top grapes by tonnage grown in BC. Almost all the grapes are grown in the Okanagan Valley, but there are significant acreages on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and in the Lower Mainland portion of the Fraser River Valley.
These figures are supplied by the British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI) and are for the 2007 growing season.

Merlot 3258
Chardonnay 2479
Pinot Gris 1687
Pinot Noir 1532
Cabernet Sauvignon 1390
Gewurztraminer 1339
Pinot Blanc 1307
Other (< 60 tons) 1125*
Riesling 979
Sauvignon Blanc 977
Cabernet Franc 777
Syrah/Shiraz 613
Gamay Noir 486
Ehrenfelser 228
Semillon 202
Auxerrois 189
Marechal Foch 170
Bacchus 124
Chasselas 104
Chancellor 103
Muller Thurgau 102
Icewine Riesling 99
Chenin Blanc 84
Viognier 84
Vidal Blanc 75
Zweigelt 67
Madeleine Angevine 61
Kerner 42
Pinot Meunier 41
Optima 38
Verdelet 14

*In the other category there are a lot of hybrids and some vinifera. Petit Verdot, Pinotage, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Sangiovese and Muscat are just a few of the smaller tonnage titles.

While there are no 'native' grapes indigenous to the area, there are some tasty Saskatoon berries just up the mountain behind my house right now.

Does Gewurztraminer start with the letter 'S'?

No, children, it does not.
But today I am participating in something called Wine Blogger Wednesday. For the first time.
It's been going on for about four years but I've never been able to get my sh*t together and participate.
One Wednesday a month, bloggers taste a wine and comment. There's a theme as set by the host. So today it is "Brought to you by the letter S".
The 'S' in my Gewurztraminer is the fact that I made it at Township 7, which has an S.
It's crisp, assertive, slighty spicy and full of fresh pear and apple. We blended three vineyards to get the depth and dimension. To me, as much as I like Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, this Gewurztraminer tastes like summer in the Okanagan Valley.

Winery Vineyard Supervisor Wanted

Based in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. Growing operation requires experienced vineyard worker to maintain small winery's vineyard properties and enhance grower relations. Knowledge of annual and seasonal viticultural practices essential. Experience in people management, budgeting, planning and site development definete assets.

Contact me directly for more information.

cooper.bradley@gmail.com

Vinifico! is Magnifico!

You can spend a long time looking for a wine site, based in BC, that day-in, day-out provides the same kind of quality wine reviews as Sean Calder's Vinifico. Actually, you'd be hard-pressed to find one this good outside of BC.

Sean acts like my point man in the market place. He's out there tasting and giving his two cents worth and that helps me find wines that are helping me compare and contrast my own projects. He has a liver of heroic description.

In the past, Sean has been assisted by fellow wine buff Graham. Not sure if that arrangement still exists but, nonetheless, they both have great palates.

Check out Vinifico before your next trip to the bottle shop.

Wine and a Hike in the redwoods

It's not news to most people but here it is anyhow: California is full of things to do. For wine lovers, California is a diverse growing region with thousands of wine-related activities. But to return home after a truly rewarding experience in wine country is not always an easy achievement.

A lot of the time there is a cookie-cutter feel to many attractions. There pre-packaged tours and winery visits that start to look pretty typical. Most of the big name tours could be lifted from anywhere. Just insert different names where applicable.

Among the packed tasting rooms, the parade of buses and the drunk-filled limousines is a California wine country experience that really stands out as unique and fun. California Wine Hikes takes two great activities and combines them for some special memories and genuinely exclusive glimpses of the Golden State.

I've talked about California Wine Hikes in this space before as being something different I had heard about. Back in late May, I got to experience it firsthand.

My wife and I have our best hiking years behind us. We weren't looking for a death march with tough technical sections. So we were delighted with the trail chosen for us by Russ Beebe, owner, operator, guide and all-round great guy. We spent about half a day in the mountains at the south end of the San Franciscan peninsula, somewhere between San Mateo and the ocean. We saw huge redwoods, quiet ravines and an array of wildflowers. The traditional fog off the coast started the day. We ended it in full sun for our mid-afternoon lunch.

Of course, our walk was punctuated with visits to wineries like Thomas Fogarty and Savannah-Chanelle.

Russ' knowledge of the area, his running commentary on the flora and fauna and his contacts within the wine business makes for a memorable day out. Nowadays, I can't think of a trip to California without a wine hike in the itinerary.

(top photo: me and a redwood. Sorry about the focus. bottom photo: Me (left), my wife Audralee and Russ Beebe at Savannah Chanelle)

It's only a matter of time that this kind of thing shows up here. I'm sure BC is ready for one of these businesses dedicated to showing off the scenery and the wines in the various regions of the province.

Until then, make sure you book one of these hikes on your next trip to California.

Two Buck Chuck, Trader Joe's and a Dead Field Worker

The saga continues as this diligent blogger does a little investigation.

Click here.

Wine Revelations: Inspired By Tom Wark

One of the most popular wine blogs is Tom Wark's Fermentation.

Lately he's posted some revelations that I think would be good reading for anyone in the wine business (or just a wine lover) who is taking stock or just looking back on their life and wine.

It's here.

Have a read, grab a bottle of Rose and just muse on your own set of revelations.

Immersed in Wine Country

There's nothing else like it around here. If you or someone you know wants the ultimate wine country experience they should check out Naramata Unfiltered.

Visitors and residents looking for the definitive BC wine-centric package will find it here.

Great accommodations, fantastic food, scintillating personalities and tons of different wines. It's a top-notch production.

Wine Country Weather

Don't read this if the f-bomb is a problem for you.

The weather has improved since this would have been appropriate last week.

Wine Maker Wanted / Stag's Hollow

Thanks for checking... POSITION NOW FILLED


One of the better small wineries in the Okanagan is looking for a wine maker. Stag's Hollow in Okanagan Falls makes around 5,000 cases and has a newish production facility. Prospective candidates should have considerable experience; a proven track record in wine making is required.
Contact Larry Gerelus directly at info@stagshollowwinery.com or
250-497-6162

More about Stag's Hollow

Cheap wine? At what cost?

Next time you wince at the price of BC wine and think some wine maker or owner is getting rich at your expense remember this example of how cheap wine is produced on the back of cheap labour and all the social ills that brings with it.

The story is here.

Double Gold Trophy for Township 7 Reserve Chardonnay

Last week I was pleased to hear that the Township 7 2006 Reserve Chardonnay Harmony One Vineyard was awarded best of class 'double gold' at the All-Canadian. This was in the Chardonnay Over $20 category so I suppose that means it is one of the best Chards in the country. Thanks to all who helped me make this wine and to our fine growers at Harmony One. Year after year H1 produces excellent fruit.

If you're considering getting your hands on a case or a bottle, please do it now. There's about 60 cases left from the original 225.

Our regular Township 7 2006 Chardonnay was awarded a gold at the NW Wine Summit and the 2005 Reserve Chardonnay Stone Mountain Vineyard received a silver.

Overall, it looks like Township 7's Chardonnay heritage is shining through.

Contact Township 7 directly at 604-532-1766 or 250-770-1743 to obtain these wines.