Canadian Wine FAQ

Wicked Tours Kelowna

Frequently asked questions about Canadian wine, winemaking, and wine tasting in Canada, including Kelowna wineries and Okanagan wine tours. Learn more!

Sloping vineyard facing lake with rainbow

Can grapes grow in Canada?

Despite our position in the Northern hemisphere, Canada is home to a diverse agricultural bounty. Our Southern border along the United States is warmer than that of the North, and two areas – the Niagara Falls region of Ontario and the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia – produce a wide variety of excellent wines. Other plucky Canadians are giving it a go in provinces like Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, but Ontario and British Columbia make up most of Canada’s wine production. While Ontario wine production nearly doubles that of British Columbia, BC produces the widest variety of wines due primarily to our warmer, almost tropical Summer climate; it is not unusual to reach 40 degrees Celsius, allowing us to grow grapes the rest of Canada simply cannot.

Canada has produced wine for over 200 years but it hasn’t always been terrific. Initially, European settlers believed the new world of North America to be too cold and harsh to grow traditional Vitis vinifera grapes, the classical European grape varieties most of us know and love. Instead, hybrid plants – Vitis labrusca and Vitis raparia – were imported and planted around the continent. These grapes and wines never developed any renown, being very gamy in taste, also known as “foxy” to wine geeks.

The 1990s were pivotal for Canadian wine with the advent of three critical events: free trade with the United States, the establishment of the Vintner’s Quality Alliance (VQA), and a significant vine replacement program. The VQA was the regulatory body to ensure Canadian wine’s quality and authenticity, and free trade allowed us to export to one of the world’s largest trading partners.

With the onset of free trade, local government-subsidized growers and farmers to replace their Vitis labrusca and raparia vines with vinifera, kickstarting the Canadian wine industry. Over the past thirty years, winemakers and farmers have adapted, continually testing different wine varieties and locations; one of the factors that makes farming wine unique, even more so in Canada: is that we can grow specific grapes only in particular areas, as not every vine thrives in any old block of dirt. In the Okanagan Valley, lighter-skinned varieties like Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer are planted in the valley’s Northern stretch, near Lake Country, Kelowna, and West Kelowna wineries. Conversely, thicker-skinned, heartier varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah are more predominant in the warmer, Southern sub-regions of the Okanagan Valley: Naramata Bench, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Falls, and Golden Mile Bench, all of which are closer to PentictonOliver, and the US border. Penticton wineries along the Naramata Bench are lovely. Many repeat visitors seeking new Okanagan valley wine opt for Penticton wine tours for a change of pace …and epic photos!


Canadian lumberjack looking into distance

Courtesy of cira.ca

Is Canadian wine good?!

Today, Canadian wine dominates wine sales locally, and our wines are becoming more renowned internationally. We receive due recognition at international competitions, including the Decanter World Wine Awards, Syrah du Monde, and repeat wins for Best Chardonnay in the World at the prestigious Chardonnay du Monde, to name but a few. Major publications, including CNN and USA Today, have sung our praises. Some of the most prominent winery experts and names worldwide – including Steven Spurrier and Jancis Robinson – have given the nod of approval to Canadian wine.

We are more than just maple syrup!


Guest holding open menu

Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com

Where are Canadian wines on wine lists?

Regarding overall global wine production, Canada is a relatively small producer. We can grow the grapes, but we have a tiny fraction of our country that is perfectly suitable for grape growing and wine production, and as such, most Canadian wine is consumed locally. In 2017, Canadian wineries exported 2.1 million litres of wine), constituting just 0.1% of global exports!

Anecdotally, we often compare our provincial production in British Columbia with winery juggernaut E&J Gallo and their Chardonnay. Indeed, all of BC’s annual production is nearly that of just one SKU they produce!

Most exported Canadian wines come from our largest producers, and even then, typically, only their most significant production volume SKUs, or labels, are shipped. This means that the international community typically sees only our most mass-produced wines, which are not usually flagships or necessarily the region’s best representations.

This is the same the world over: typically, small wineries and their wines produced in equally small quantities (hundreds of cases versus thousands by the big guys) are often the stars of a wine region. They readily sell out locally to residents and visiting tourists. With a typically labour-intensive schedule, why would an owner bother with regulations, taxes, commissions, shipping, et cetera when you can sell your wine quickly to adoring locals and eager tourists?

It’s a no-brainer and illustrates one of the cardinal rules of wine tasting: you must visit the source – the winery – for the good stuff. Period. Generally, premium, estate-series, and library wines (older vintages) are almost always exclusively sold in tasting rooms. Most do not find their way into liquor stores or restaurants. You must physically visit the winery to experience and purchase them by researching winery locations and operating hours. Now-extensive tasting room protocols, designating a driver, navigating the region yourself… or booking a guided wine tour and letting local professionals do it all for you.

Guided wine tours have become even more relevant with the COVID-19 pandemic and the appropriately stringent protocols now in place everywhere. Like most operations, particularly in tourism – new safety protocols have reduced operating capacities, while local demand has increased with Canadians being unable or unwilling to travel internationally. Wineries are more challenging to access readily without notice, with many requiring tasting appointments in advance. The days of walk-in tasting appointments are mostly gone, particularly for larger groups or in the busy, hot summer months. Waiting extended periods in a socially-distanced line enduring 40 degrees is no fun, no matter how Gram-worthy the backdrop is!


Icewine harvesters picking grapes in vineyard

Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Tantalus Vineyards

What is Icewine?

If you see a wine list with Canadian wine, it is often Icewine. Icewine – one word, precisely, and not two as in “Ice Wine” or “Iced Wine” (or it’s a sure sign that it’s not authentic) is a uniquely Canadian product, invented by crazy European winemakers many, many, many moons ago, and perfected by wild Canadian winemakers in more recent decades.

Essentially, grapes typically harvested in the fall are left to hang on the vines into winter until they freeze solid. The longer they are allowed to hang, the colder the temperatures drop, water within the grapes freeze, and the sugar levels – or Brix – are heightened.

Upon picking these frozen rocks – often in the middle of a cold night, headlamps and all – the grapes must be immediately crushed and maintained at a minimum temperature of -8 Celsius, thereby preventing any water within the grape from thawing. This arduous process draws just one or two drops of pure nectar from each grape. As a result, Icewine takes about ten times the number of grapes used in table wine to produce just a 375 mL bottle. The local wine authority heavily regulates Icewine. These regulations must be closely followed to receive their approval and use of the coveted label and the typically $50-75 price tag accompanying it. Only small blocks of grapes are usually reserved for Icewine growth, often resulting in less than 100 cases produced, another factor in the relatively high price.

Icewine is an intensely sweet, thick, and luscious dessert wine meant to be sipped after dinner with, or instead of, dessert. Many people wrongly perceive Icewine as a table wine and can’t comprehend drinking something so sweet in large quantities, and they would be correct. That’s not the intent! Icewine is ideal after an extensive, savoury meal, sipped next to a slice of decadent cheesecake, a delicate blue cheese, or with dark chocolate, at which point Icewine truly shines. Icewine is served in 2-3 ounce pours, akin to other dessert wines, like Sherry and Port.

Few Canadian wineries produce Icewine, given the regulations, challenging production, and high cost relative to production ratios. Ontario and Quebec have the most Icewine in Canada, given their typically cold Canadian winter temperatures, making them ideal for Icewine production as grapes freeze quickly. British Columbia experiences milder winter weather, making it much harder to produce Icewine. Icewines are not necessarily available in every Canadian winery; they are available at very few. When they are sold, they are invariably absent from tasting menus, given the cost. It is simply not worth the small winery owners’ expense to open and pour dozens of Icewine bottles when they can quickly sell the few hundred bottles produced to eager buyers and wine enthusiasts in the know. Due to the high sugar content, Icewine ages for decades, making it cellar-worthy for collectors. Icewine purchases are often made by guests taking a leap of faith in a brand they trust and by aficionados who understand Icewine’s unique nature and want to add it to their cellar.


Girls and tour guide walking near winery in winter

Are Canadian wineries open all year?

Contrary to popular belief, many wineries across Canada remain open year-round, albeit with limited or adjusted operating hours. This is Canada: we don’t shut down in winter, or little would get done here!

Many facilities close their tasting rooms to the public through the winter. Still, in some more significant hubs like Niagara in Ontario and Kelowna in British Columbia, many wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries maintain year-round tasting rooms, and local tour companies help navigate that for you. Winter wine tasting can be magical, with snow-topped vineyards, roaring fireplaces (hello, West Kelowna wineries), mulled wine, and private wine tastings and tours at no additional cost due to the lack of summer crowds! Wineries are often staffed by their leaders in the winter, and it’s not unusual for guests to experience leisurely wine-tasting experiences with winemakers and owners. Locals and repeat guests in the know understand that October through March can be the best time for a wine tour.

Group of girls walking through vineyard on the West Kelowna Wine Tour
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
no limit

Wicked Wine Express: Half-Day West Kelowna Wine Tour

Explore the enchanting vineyards and breathtaking views on a West Kelowna wine tour. With its rolling hills, lush orchards and majestic lake views, the Westside Wine Trail offers a unique mix of sophistication and rural charm that impress even the most discerning travellers. Sample locally-crafted wines, chat with knowledgeable winemakers, and capture stunning landscapes throughout this fascinating tour.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$139
The View Winery on the Kelowna Wine Tour
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
no limit

Twilight Tastings: Half-Day Kelowna Wine Tour

Kelowna's wine scene is bursting with hidden gems. Explore them all on a guided tour of the city's Southeast area. Discover unique family-run, limited-production wineries with chic bohemian vibes and unforgettable Instagram-worthy posts. Enjoy samples of the area's best-kept secrets, and don't miss out on this off-the-beaten-path adventure!

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$139
Frind Estate Winery near the water on our Westside Wine Trail
Duration
5 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
no limit

Grapes & Gastronomy: West Kelowna Winery Tour and Gourmet Lunch

Take a memorable journey through the beautiful Okanagan Valley on one of the wine tours from Kelowna. Enjoy an eclectic mix of farm-style hospitality and upscale elegance as you explore vineyards along the Westside Wine Trail. Marvel at the stunning lake views and rolling vineyards before indulging in some of the area's finest cuisines.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$159
Arrowleaf Cellars
Duration
5 hours
Group Size
no limit

Discover Scenic Sip: Lakeside Wine Tour

Tour Okanagan Lake Country and explore some of the region's best wines. Taste world-class Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir and experience their crisp flavor, delicate earthy aroma, and superb quality. Immerse yourself in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere as you savor some of this area's finest wines.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$159
Wicked Wine Tours Kelowna BC
Duration
5 hours
Group Size
no limit

Vineyard Vixens: VIP Bachelorette Wine Tour

Soak up the stunning views of Okanagan Lake Country on a wine tour, and sample a range of expertly crafted wines. Enjoy Rieslings, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noirs that are bound with earthy undertones aromas - complemented perfectly by a selection of artisan foods. Relax in an unpretentious atmosphere as you experience world-class wines from this rustic region.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$169
Mission Hill Family Estate
Duration
7 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
Up to 6

Taste of Terroir: Private Wine Tour in Kelowna's Finest Wineries

Indulge in an exclusive, luxurious private wine tour through Kelowna's most picturesque vineyards. Uncover the region's finest flavours on this intimate journey, featuring a fascinating cellar tour at Mission Hill Family Estate, captivating vineyard explorations at Quails' Gate Estate Winery and CedarCreek Estate Winery, and a delectable lunch experience at Quails' Gate. Immerse yourself in the art of winemaking, savour the beauty of the vineyards, and create cherished memories as you indulge in the finest wines Kelowna has to offer. Join us on this extraordinary adventure and discover the essence of perfection in every sip.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$379
Hillside Winery
Duration
6 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
no limit

Sip & Discover Naramata Wine Tour

If you're looking for the perfect wine-tasting experience, the Naramata Bench in Penticton is a must! This winding, scenic road showcases perfectly manicured vineyards overlooking breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake. The area is known for its big, full-bodied reds and whites — perfect for sipping on a sun-dappled patio — and offers fantastic dining opportunities in its many restaurants.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$199
Switchback Vineyard BC
Duration
6 hours
Group Size
no limit

Summerland's Hidden Gems Wine Tour

Experience Summerland wine country with a guided tour of Bottleneck Drive and its award-winning wineries. You'll have the opportunity to explore the diverse local microclimates and taste your way through various wines in this warm, welcoming community setting. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or just looking for an enjoyable day out, there will be something here to please everyone.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$209
Phantom Creek Estates Winery
Duration
8 hours
Group Size
no limit

Golden Mile Wine Odyssey

Discover the Oliver area, known for its world-class wine industry, on an informative and unforgettable tour. You’ll have the chance to explore the stunning terroirs of the Golden Mile and Black Sage regions, view remarkable architecture and artistry, savour exquisite culinary selections and sample award-winning wines from this iconic region. A perfect experience for any wine enthusiast!

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$219