Welcome to BC Wine 101, where I will focus in on a different wine region in each episode for anyone who is interested in learning about BC wine, including the wine bloggers who will be traveling to Penticton for the Wine Bloggers Conference coming up in June.
You can listen online here or download our podcast on iTunes.
The Similkameen Valley is beautiful, and not in an easily identifiable, normal way. There’s something about this valley that is almost other-worldly.
Looking south from the northern edge of Clos du Soleil’s vineyards.
I actually find it distracting to drive through it. The mountains are so shapely and imposing that I cannot take my eyes off them, in any season. This becomes a problem when I’m the only one in the car and must concentrate on keeping the wheels on the winding roads. (Except in Cawston, in the middle of the Similkameen’s vineyard area, where there is probably the longest, straightest stretch of road anywhere in BC’s interior.)
It’s difficult to really explain the place that the Similkameen Valley occupies in terms of BC’s wine industry. The terroir is not as studied as the South Okanagan and the reputation does not precede it like the Naramata Bench. Just like the wineries of the Columbia Gorge AVA from last year’s Wine Bloggers Conference, the Similkameen Valley is the little region that is often overshadowed by the more renowned neighbor and only people in-the-know understand that there is an amazing party going on there with wines that will blow you away.
The Similkameen also happens to be the home of one of my all-time favorite wine and food events – The Similkameen BBQ King Championship. I’ve recorded a podcast at each of the last two events (check out 2011 or 2012‘s posts and podcasts) and each time, the beautiful location of the historic Grist Mill heritage site, the amazing collection of local wines, and the Okanagan and Similkameen’s top chefs competing for bragging rights makes for an unbelievable event you won’t soon forget.
Even driving through the Similkameen is unforgettable. Imagine what the wines taste like from this unique place.
Joining me in this podcast are Similkameen Winery Association Chair George Hanson and Marketing Director Kim Lawton.
The Similkameen river from the patio of Forbidden Fruit Winery.
Wineries of the Similkameen Winery Association:
| Cerelia | Clos du Soleil | Eau Vivre |
| Forbidden Fruit | Orofino | Robin Ridge |
| Rustic Roots | Seven Stones | Sage Bush Winery |
Other Wineries in the Similkameen Valley:
| Crowsnest Vineyards | Herder Vineyards | Little Farm Winery |
Wine shop breezeway at Orofino, and winery built with straw bales.
Vineyards in the Similkameen.
The interview was very interesting. I’m found myself wondering what *challenges* they have growing fruit in this region. I think every region has strengths and weaknesses… and I think it is the strengths/challenges that make them interesting.
Agreed. If everyone could grow the same fruits in the same way and have them all taste the same, how boring would our world be?