Know Before You Go: The Wine Regions of the Okanagan

The Black Sage Osoyoos region stretches north from the Osoyoos Lake. It
actually straddles the border with the US state of Washington. This is the
northern part of the Okanagan Valley. The Coast Range to the west blocks cool,
wet climates from the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, the Black Sage and Osoyoos is a
very hot and dry region with very low annual rainfall.

Because this region has a warm and dry climate, you will find the production
of concentrated red wines from the Bordeaux (grape) varieties such as Cabernet,
Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Here are a few wineries to visit in Black Sage Osoyoos:

You will find the Gold Mile region of Okanagan Valley covering the
western slope and the surrounding town of Oliver. Here you will find
desert-like climates. The Golden Mile vineyards lie on fertile soil types much
like clay. The clay soil helps to retain moisture during dry summers and retain
warmth when it is cold. Typically the Golden Mile has warm, sunny days followed
by cooler nights.

Because of the climate and soil type, there is an extended ripening
period for the grapes that gives them a rich fruit flavor. This region is
particularly well-known for its elegant red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, and Cabernet Franc (grapes). Some are found blended with Bordeaux.

Here are a few wineries to visit in Gold Mile:

Kelowna region is actually a city. And, it is the largest city in the
Okanagan Valley.  The region is one of
the key spots for wine destinations in Canada. The New York Times called
Kelowna the “Napa of the North” because of its fine wine, culinary focus, and
thriving tourist industry.

So, be prepared for a lot of people. If you are like me and loath most
people, you might want to pick a region not so touristy.

Kelowna is one of the coolest areas in all of the Okanagan Valley thus
makes cool climate wine varieties. Wine’s in this region include: Pinot Noir,
Riesling, and Chardonnay.

Here are a few wineries in Kelowna to visit:

Naramata Bench is located on the South-eastern shores of Lake Okanagan.
The vineyards sit on the cliffs right above the shores of the lake on the
west-facing slopes. The vineyards enjoy all-day sun exposure with cooling
breezes off the lake. This is a perfect mesoclimate for grape growing as it
slows the ripening process allowing the grapes to develop rich varietal
character.

Naramata Bench’s Lakeside terrain is well suited for the following
aromatic wine varieties: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris which produce
crisp, fresh white wines.

Here are a few wineries to try out in Naramata Bench:

The Okanagan Falls is located between the towns of Penticton and Oliver.
It is on the southern edge of Skaha Lake which is the narrowest part of the
Okanagan Valley. This part of the valley is home to some of the highest
altitude vineyards in all of the Valley.

In this area, it is climatically transitional within the Okanagan
Valley’s climate. It is warmer than Naramata Bench to the North yet cooler than
Osoyoos and Black Sage in the South. The vineyards sit on the Okanagan Falls
high above the valley floor. Because of the variation in climate in this
region, Gewurztraminer can be planted adjacent to Pinot Noir grapes, or
Cabernet Sauvignon can be adjacent to Riesling.

All that mumbo jumbo boils down to Okanagan Falls is quite literally the
perfect region to provide a wide variety of wine styles. Meaning you get the
best of all worlds here! From aromatic whites made from Riesling and
Gewurztraminer to Bordeaux Blends made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, you
can find pretty much any wine you are looking for.

Here are some wineries you should visit in Okanagan Falls:

What region of Okanagan Valley do you want to visit? Share your
experiences and thoughts in the comments below. We would love to know what you
think.