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The Okanagan Valley is known for its exceptional vino, and after the results of the 21st Okanagan Wine Festival came to light, our wine connoisseur paradise was only corroborated further.
Kelowna-based wineries are a contributing part of the Okanagan’s wine success as three different wineries—Sandhill, St. Hubertus and Oak Bay Estate, Mt. Boucherie—took home a variety of awards including best Pinot Blanc, best Viognier, and best Marechal Foch.
The results of the 2015 British Columbia Best Varietal Wine Awards were announced on Thursday evening. The competition featured 27 different categories, with a record total of 479 wines entered.
Within each of the 27 categories, the judges narrowed the selection down to 114 finalists with one overall clear winner being declared “the best” in each category.
With the summer season upon us, it’s a great time to take a tour of the Okanagan and indulge in the best that the Okanagan has to offer. From the most delectable Pinot Gris to the most divine Cabernet Sauvignon, we have some of the most amazing wine in the world right here in the Okanagan.
“Farming is often referred to as the 'world’s hardest profession' and as Canadians we have always been incredibly proud of our agricultural history. With the explosion of viticulture in Canada over the last few decades, the Okanagan Wine Festivals are a fantastic way to celebrate the latest of our amazing achievements. I feel honoured and privileged to help celebrate this Canadian tradition of hard work, perseverance and excellence at this year’s Best of Varietal Wine Awards,” said Simon Gillett, Food & Beverage Manager, Watermark Beach Resort and judge Best of Varietal Wine Awards.
The Best of Varietal Wine Awards is managed under the professional eye of Marjorie King who has over 20 years of wine competition experience with the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society.
Here's a list of all the wine winners this year. Enjoy!
Best Cabernet Franc
Harper’s Trail - Cabernet Franc 2013
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Cassini Cellars - Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2011
Best Chardonnay
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Series - Chardonnay 2013
Best Dessert/Late Harvest/Port Style
Harper’s Trail - Late Harvest Riesling 2013
Best Gamay
Pentage Winery - Gamay Noir Estate Bottled 2013
Best Gewürztraminer
Wild Goose Vineyards - Mystic River Gewürztraminer 2014
Best Icewine
Inniskillin Okanagan - Dark Horse Vineyard Riesling Icewine 2012
Best Malbec
Sandhill Wines - Small Lots Malbec Phantom Creek Vineyard 2012
Best Marechal Foch
St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery - Oak Bay Vineyard Foch 2013
Best Merlot
Sandhill Wines - Merlot Vanessa Vineyard 2012
Best Pinot Blanc
St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery – St. Hubertus Vineyard Pinot Blanc 2014
Best Pinot Gris
50th Parallel Estate - Pinot Gris 2014
Best Pinot Noir
Moraine Estate Winery - Pinot Noir 2012
Best Red Meritage Blends Cabernet Dominated
Moon Curser Vineyards - Cabernet Merlot 2012
Best Red Meritage Blends Merlot Dominated
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery - Family Reserve Summit 2012
Best Red Blends “Other”
Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery - Alagria 2009
Best Red Single Variety “Other”
Sandhill Wines - Small Lots Sangiovese Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2012
Best Riesling
Wild Goose Vineyards - Stoney Slope Riesling 2013
Best Rosé/Blush
Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery - Blanc De Noirs Rosé 2014
Best Sauvignon Blanc
Clos Du Soleil Winery - Fume Blanc 2014
The Best Sparkling
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery - Steller’s Jay Sparkling Pinnacle 2006
Best Syrah / Shiraz
TIME Estate Winery – Syrah 2012
Best Syrah/Shiraz Based Blends
Daydreamer Wines - Amelia 2013
Best Viognier
Sandhill Wines - Viognier Osprey Ridge Vineyard 2014
Best White Blends
Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery - Mingle 2013
Best White Single Variety “Other”
Moon Curser Vineyards - Arneis 2014
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