Words by Eric Gooden
As we start to enjoy more time at home, many of us are honing our skills in the kitchen, from conquering cassoulet to mastering sourdough boules. But what to drink with this abundance of homemade fare? We’re not looking any further than our own (greater) backyard, especially since April marks the return of B.C. Wine Month.
British Columbia is home to a staggering 929 vineyards, and more than 175 wineries that encompass an industry supporting 12,000+ jobs. Our desire to support local businesses has never been stronger, and many wineries are making it easy with the introduction of free shipping — not only within the province, but also across the country.
We’re as excited as anyone to get back to wine touring, but for now we’re content enjoying these world-class vintages from home. Here is a look at six of our favourite locally owned B.C. wineries that let you click and sip.
Ex Nihilo
Located an easy drive north from Kelowna in Lake Country, Ex Nihilo’s vineyard and tasting room are perched on the eastern edge of Okanagan Lake. Its name, meaning “out of nothing”, was inspired by a Frederick Hart sculpture of the same name, depicting figures emerging from chaos.
Don’t miss: 2018 Ex Nihilo Pinot Gris. Described as summer in a glass, it features aromas of green apple, pear, and notes of ginger and white nectarine with balanced acidity.
Pair with: a spring vegetable risotto.
Shop: Curbside pickup and, for a limited time, free shipping (six or more bottles) to major Canadian cities, no code required.
50th Parallel
Impressive architecture anchors this 10,000-square-foot winery on its 61-acre estate, located just ten minutes from the Kelowna airport in Lake Country. Pinot noir reigns supreme here; the sensitive fruit is gently processed with the aid of gravity on the naturally sloping grade of the site.
Don’t miss: 2016 50th Parallel Estate Pinot Noir. A medium plus-bodied pinot with notes of sage, rosemary, black cherry, pepper, and truffle. Fine tannins linger with a silky long finish.
Pair with: pepper-crusted rack of venison.
Shop: Curbside pickup and, for a limited time, free shipping (six or more bottles) to major Canadian cities with code FREESHIP6.
Play Estate Winery
Found at the entrance to Skaha Hills, the modern architecture of the tasting room and bistro at Play afford guests one of the best views of Penticton. Fourteen acres of vines consisting of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sauvignon blanc, muscat, and viognier complement the property.
Don’t miss: 2019 Play Saignée. A rarer production method for rosé, saignée wine is bled off from red wine early in its maceration stage, producing a darker, and bolder-flavoured rosé. This bone dry offering from Play features ripe red berry notes, and is aged on the lees, providing a rich mouthfeel.
Pair with: Chinese char siu pork belly.
Shop: Curbside pickup and, for a limited time, free shipping (six or more bottles) within B.C.
Tightrope
On the east side of Okanagan Lake, just north of Penticton, you’ll find Tightrope Winery. Tightrope is perfectly situated on a rolling hillside on the Naramata Bench, a location that benefits from multiple microclimates that walk a fine line between the best of sun and shade throughout the day. You may have previously experienced their grapes in bottles from various B.C. wineries such as Road 13 or Mission Hill, but the O’Rourke family has proudly produced their own award-winning wines since 2012.
Don’t miss: 2017 Tightrope Syrah. This medium-bodied syrah is co-fermented with 3% viognier, accounting for subtle floral notes on the nose. The palate is smooth with plum, blackcurrant, spice and anise.
Pair with: beef short rib ragu over creamy Parmesan polenta.
Shop: Curbside pickup and, for a limited time, free shipping (six or more bottles) across Canada with code ShiptoSip.
40 Knots
One of the largest wineries on Vancouver Island, 40 Knots is located on 24 acres in the Comox Valley, facing the Salish Sea. The wines grown here are shaped by the unique microclimate of the region. Ethical and sustainable production are core pillars guiding every step of their natural, vegan wines.
Don’t miss: 40 Knots Sieg. Siegerrebe is a lesser-known hybrid varietal, but one that is uniquely suited to the cool Vancouver Island climate. The 40 Knots Sieg is grown right on the ocean’s edge. Expect ripe tropical fruits and lime zest on the palate with a floral nose and a crisp, dry finish.
Pair with: spicy Thai crab and green mango salad.
Shop: Curbside pickup and, for a limited time, free shipping across Canada, no minimum, no code required.
Averill Creek
Built into the side of Mt. Prevost on Vancouver Island, Averill Creek at Duncan is about halfway between Victoria and Nanaimo. Producing wine since 2001, Averill Creek is led by owner Andy Johnston, who gained experience at several wineries in Europe and Australia, before settling in the Cowichan Valley. The subtropical Mediterranean climate and unique soil composition nurture their small-lot plantings of various grape varietals, which are tended to by hand. The wines are a great expression of Island terroir and have been recognized internationally.
Don’t miss: Averill Creek Charme d’Ile. Produced in the Charmat method from pinot gris and pinot noir, this Prosecco-style sparkler delivers a smooth mousse of crisp dry apples, citrus, and toast, with slight minerality.
Pair with: Parmesan shortbread, as an apéritif.
Shop: Curbside pickup and, for a limited time, free shipping across Canada (six-bottle minimum), no code required.
Eric Gooden is the marketing manager for Bellstar Hotels & Resorts and a wine enthusiast. In his spare time Eric can be found exploring foreign locales, snowboarding in the Rockies, sharing his culinary prowess with family and friends in the kitchen, or behind the bar building the perfect cocktail.
