Anthony Gismondi: Going to B.C.'s wine country? Here are some wineries you should visit

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I have often said the two questions I get most from readers when it comes to wine is: “How much is it, and where can I buy it?” I can only say the answers have never been more complicated.

Consumers face daily challenges in finding accurate, current pricing for wine. Online prices are often outdated and rarely bear the correct vintage, if any. Private retailers typically display only a small selection of items online. Ever-increasing prices have producers and distributors displaying wholesale prices, usually 30-40 per cent lower than the final retail price before 10 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST. And try discovering the cost of some of the most interesting local wines buried inside a wine club you have to join.

On a more positive note, today I thought I would explore the other most common question I receive: “Which winery should I visit when travelling in B.C. wine country?” To assist, I have compiled a short list of recommendations. While this selection is not exhaustive, as many wineries offer equally compelling experiences, it provides a starting point for your visit.

Here is a list of suggested properties along with brief descriptions outlining reasons to consider visiting them:

• Unsworth Vineyards has recently completed a $15 million renovation, enhancing both its aboveground and subterranean winemaking facilities. The newly designed visitor centre features modern amenities, and the renowned Restaurant at Unsworth is also undergoing significant improvements.

• On the Naramata Bench, Evolve Cellars has found its home at Evolve Sparkling House, a venue dedicated to sparkling wine and only minutes from downtown Penticton. Winemaker Lynzee Schatz, who worked at Australian icon Domaine Chandon, has released three stellar sparklers that guests can enjoy while overlooking Okanagan Lake from a three-tiered patio and rooftop lounge.

• Peak Cellars is hidden away north of Kelowna in Lake Country, but I encourage you to visit the winery, explore their electric wines, enjoy a lunch or dinner at The Garden Bistro, and check out nearby historic Carrs Landing, Sparkling Hill Resort and Predator Ridge Golf Course.

• If you are a Pinot Noir freak and want to taste some of the best producers, consider Okanagan Falls, led by Blue Mountain and Meyer Vineyards; Naramata’s 1 Mill Road; Summerland’s Lightning Rock; Garnet Valley Ranch; and Solvero Wines. Further north in west and east Kelowna, Quails’ Gate, Martin’s Lane, CedarCreek, Spearhead and Tantalus are all focused on high-end Pinot Noir.

• If you’re into sustainability and organics, consider stops at Clos Du Soleil and Orofino in the Similkameen; Tightrope, Deep Roots, and Van Westen Vineyards on the Naramata Bench. In Summerland, Garnet Valley Ranch, Haywire, and Solvero lead, while in east Kelowna, CedarCreek, Tantalus, and Summerhill lead.

• Small, intimate family winery visits can be magical, and my short list includes Nighthawk Vineyards, Liber Estates, Bartier Bros., Over the Fence, Off the Grid Winery, and Observatory Wines. Visiting hours, fees and experiences will differ by property, so we recommend planning to ensure you get the most out of each stop.

Weekend Wine Picks

Black Hills Brut N/V, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

$51.99 I 91/100

UPC: 058976052899

If you are looking to celebrate this summer, the second sparkling wine release from Black Hills, based on 2019 fruit, is a fine local choice. The 79/21 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir has great tension. The Chardonnay brings lemon and tangerine notes with floral scents, while the Pinot Noir adds texture, richness and red fruit. After 40 months on lees, it has a creamy, chalky texture — sheer harmony in the glass.

Orofino Few and Far Between Washington Series Roussanne 2024, Washington, United States

$25.00 I 89/100

UPC: 696852126694

A replacement roussanne grown over looking the Columbia Gorge in the Ancient Lakes AVA, a 3½-hour drive south of Orofino. Look for floral and herbal scents, a medium-weight palate that is more silky than unctuous. Plenty of Meyer lemon and juicy pear with a twist of ripe peach fill the palate. It is a white wine for thinkers that can enliven any dinner conversation, and pair with various foods from turkey to lobster or a root vegetable casserole.

Jean Collet et Fils Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2023, Chablis, Burgundy, France

$55.00 I 92/100

UPC: 348834300508

I tasted this in March, and it is every bit as good today. It is Premier Cru with a bit of Grand Cru feel. The nose is a mix of white fruits with a light dusting of pepper. On the palate, layers of ripe citrus and saline/oyster liqueur, with an excellent mid-weight palate with a stony, flinty underside. Warm weather has enlarged this wine. It still has the intensity and structure you want, but is more hedonistic than complex. Private wine shops only.

El Esteco Don David Reserve Malbec 2023, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, Argentina

$16.99 I 88/100

UPC: 7790189001129

The label pays homage to the winery’s founder, Don David Michel, who has employed malbec vines for more than 30 years. The fruit is all estate-grown in the stunning Cafayate Valley, at 900 metres. The palate is warm, pitching dense, rich black plum with a strong mineral undercurrent of freshness, and a streak of roasted tomato. You can enjoy this now, and it is on sale until Aug. 30.

Taylor Fladgate Historical Reserve Tawny The Mallet N/V, Douro Valley, Portugal

$47.99 I 92/100

UPC: 5013626116432

The Mallet is the latest in the Taylor Fladgate Historic Limited Edition series, a collection of specially blended cask-aged Ports presented in bottles inspired by historic bottle moulds. It’s a bottle moulded in a distinctive “mallet” shape, which became established in England by the 1730s. Look for a darkish red/brown colour that goes brick red at the edge. Old Tawny is always harmonious. In this case, it is a rich harmony. Both maturity and complexity play an equally important role, binding the butterscotch, the caramel, the spice, the toffee, the reserved fruit and, frankly, the history. It’s $10 off until Aug. 30.

Calendar Items

• Krug Week is back at Vancouver’s official Krug Embassy, Published on Main, and it is expanding to run from Sept. 13-28. The immersive dining experience celebrates Krug’s Single Ingredient program and pays homage to the carrot. Chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson’s menu is inspired by Krug’s philosophy of blending unique elements and culinary excellence. A single-ingredient menu is reflective of the Krug vineyard plots that contribute to the creation of Krug Grande Cuvée and Krug Rosé. The menu includes a series of carrot amuse-bouche offerings led by carrot pie caviar paired with Krug Grand Cuvée, 172ème Édition. The Krug x Carrot Chef Pairing Menu includes chilled scallop, carrot, sea buckthorn, ceviche and roasted pickerel, white carrot kimchee, popcorn butter sauce served with Krug Rosé, 28ème Édition and carrot, sea buckthorn, coffee, cardamom and black currant leaf with Krug Grand Cuvée, 28ème Édition.

• Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country hosts the 2025 Festival of the Grape and Grape Stomp on Sept. 21 at Oliver Community Park. The event includes a grape-crushing competition, team participation, themed costumes and a complimentary Youth Stomp for younger attendees. Registration is available for up to 30 teams of three for the timed, three-minute grape-crushing challenge. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams producing the most grape juice, as well as recognition for the best costumes. Adult team registration is $146.16 plus tax and includes festival entry for three, participation in the Grape Stomp heats, souvenirs and treats from Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. More information and registration are available at oliverosoyoos.com/grape-stomp.

B.C. Wine of the Week

Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2021, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

$40.00 I 90/100

UPC: 626990042341

2020 Voluptuous was a winner and so, too, is this 2022. I would describe it as voluptuous, luxurious or, perhaps more precisely, generous. The blend is unchanged at 67 per cent Merlot and 33 per cent Cabernet Franc, each fully ripe as the vines at Naramata’s Boothe Road Vineyard’s silty clay/loam soils approach 20 years of age. Round and fragrant, the nose is an enticing mix of savoury black fruits. Look for more of the same on the palate with that juicy blueberry, boysenberry that runs through a slurry of gentle tannins. It is a drink or hold red, but given its balance, why wait? T-bone steaks, lamb chops, or most anything off the grill would be a fine match. A very friendly style of red wine.

Value Wine of the Week

Cellier du Pont D’Arc Ardeche Blanc 2024, Ardeche France

$18.99 I 88/100

UPC: 3274440062165

This delicious Sauvignon Blanc/Grenache blanc hails from the Ardeche region, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Look for a straw colour and a refreshing nose of lemon, lime, green apple, pear and a streak of black cherry that spills onto the palate. Pure, clean and elegant, it is a wine to enjoy during the rest of the summer and take you into fall. Perfect with the classic goat cheese match or local shellfish. It’s currently on sale until the end of the month. It is also HVE-certified. “Haute Valeur Environnementale” signifies that the wine comes from a farm that prioritizes biodiversity, minimizes pesticide use, manages water resources effectively, and pays close attention to the protection of flora and fauna. Love the value.