British Columbia
Canada
Connect with British Columbia:
Located four hours east from the city of Vancouver and north of the 49° latitude, British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley, where most of British Columbia’s grapes are grown, have a unique combination of extreme heat and cold that result in intense fruit-driven, fresh and structured wines. The wines of British Columbia depend on the heat from the sun to create intense flavors, and the cool nights to preserve the natural acidity that allow the wines to remain fresh and lively.
Region
1,130 hectares of growing area
People
280 licensed grape growers
929 vineyards
Production
21,351,200 liters of wine shipped (2015)
984,948 liters of wine exported (2016)
$1.5 million total sales annually
Impact
12,000 full time jobs
1 million annual visitors
$600 million economic impact
from tourism
$2.8 billion economic contribution to British Columbia's economy
Primary Grape Varietals
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Syrah/Shiraz
Pinot Gris
Chardonnay Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc
