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After a much milder and gentler winter than recent years, all signs point to a bountiful 2025 harvest — mostly good if not exceptional
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April traditionally marks the awakening of B.C. wine country after a long winter’s sleep, and the good news is that the winter of 2025-2026 has been much milder and gentler weather-wise for most of the province’s vineyards. The relatively moderate temperatures that allow the vines to rest peacefully, store energy, and recover further from the effects of past harsh winters have been welcomed by growers and owners still recovering from lost production and sales. On a broader level, this will also help some properties avoid closure.
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All signs point to a bountiful 2025 harvest, mostly good if not exceptional. As winery doors reopen full-time this month, consumers can expect a complete lineup of wines, starting with some early-release whites and rosés, along with a selection of 2022, 2023 and 2025 reds. Visitors can also look forward to exciting new experiences at the wineries.
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West Coast Table
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Penticton-based Master of Wine Geoffrey Moss recently shared some early insights into his regional experiences. Moss says, “Growing season conditions were mercifully favourable after the roller-coaster of the past four years. In fact, 2025 will go down as the warmest vintage on record in the Okanagan, surpassing 2023 in Growing Degree Days (GDDs) in most sub-regions.”
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Even better, “2025 didn’t face the harsh heat that reduced yields in 2023. It stayed warm throughout the growing season, with summer temperatures lasting until the end of September. In fact, it was the warmest September in the Okanagan in the last 20 years. However, temperatures rarely exceeded 35°C, which is important for maintaining acidity. Luckily, the vintage was also free of wildfires. 2025 has few recent comparisons, blending the warmth and ripeness of 2023 with the yields and freshness of 2022.”
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Moss also warns that it’s hard to generalize across all producers, as much depends on what happened in the vineyards. Some have recovered miraculously; others have been replanted and are awaiting new crops. Some are still striving to reach a financially viable level of production. There is no single story as the 2026 season unfolds.
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Speaking of stories, wineries are being asked to pivot again, this time by consumers, who want more than just a quick visit to the tasting bar. While it’s uncertain what unique experiences are available, hospitality has become the product, and wine the anchor, just in time for B.C. Wine Month.
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Possible new directions could focus on what I enjoy during my visits — storytelling about the land, the people, and farming practices. Other ideas include serving your wine with food. Thoughtful small-plate pairings, chosen by the winery staff familiar with the wine, will appeal to visitors who frequently meet wine through food. The one-size-fits-all approach is becoming increasingly tone-deaf, so personalization is in vogue. Can visitors bring kids or the dog? Is there a clear path for drivers or others seeking non-alcoholic beverages? Can we hike the property? Can we taste with the winemaker? There is lots to consider.
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Sustainability is no longer just a marketing angle; it is an expectation that should be woven into your stories. How grapes are grown, water and energy management, packaging, and the health and wellness of the workplace.
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Finally, visitors want wineries to feel like destinations, even if only for an hour. That means enjoying viewpoints or outdoor spaces in calm, spacious environments. Ultimately, the best wineries will be seen to offer a sense of presence, not just prestige. For events and detailed winery listings, go to WineBC.com.
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Weekend wine picks
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Villa Sandi Asolo Prosecco Brut Superiore N/V, Veneto, Italy
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$24.99 I 88/100
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UPC: 8017494661015
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Consistency is key with everyday Prosecco. One of the more reliable producers year after year is Villa Sandi. Expect an almost dry, fruity, creamy style with pleasant aromas and flavours reminiscent of red apples and peaches, with a touch of spice. The DOCG Asolo Prosecco comes from the Veneto region on the Montello and Colli Asolani hills, at the foot of the Dolomites. Italians enjoy Prosecco after work, either on its own or with finger foods; we highly recommend you do the same.
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Bel Colle Langhe Nebbiolo 2024, Piedmont, Italy
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$33-$35 private wine stores I 90/100
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UPC: 8032755134046
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DOC Langhe Nebbiolo serves as an introduction to the fuller, more intense versions of Nebbiolo, such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Expect fragrant aromas led by violet and rose petal notes. The palate offers red fruits in a vibrant, elegant nod to the noble nebbiolo grape with plums and raspberries amid perfectly integrated, almost dusty tannins. There is no apparent dryness here, just a delicious, easy-drinking red. It’s worthy of serious study, but why bother? It’s too much fun to drink now.
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Stoneboat Vineyards Sparkling Series Méthode Cuvée Close Grand Piano N/V, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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$34.99 I 89/100
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UPC: 626990156215
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The Grand Piano Brut sparkler is made using the Charmat method, with secondary fermentation in a tank that traps the bubbles while the lees are worked to add creaminess to the texture. It is mostly Pinot Blanc with a touch of Riesling. It’s a sparkling style that has proven highly successful for Prosecco producers and has been produced at Stoneboat for 15 years. Grand Piano is Stoneboat’s top-tier sparkler, with attractive peachy, mandarin, citrus aromas and flavours that slide down easily — the perfect aperitif for a warm spring patio. Pour freely and often.
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Barossa Valley Estate Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2023, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
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$24.99 I 90/100
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UPC: 9311347003120
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Barossa Valley is home to this GSM blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre, with Grenache being the dominant varietal. It has been a decade since we last enjoyed this wine, and we’re pleased to say it has evolved into a bright, fruit-forward red, full of lively red-berry and dark-plum notes, finishing with a spicy note. Think of it as a medium-bodied, soft, juicy wine meant to be enjoyed now, offering great value for everyday drinking. It’s ideal for pairing with savoury dishes around the barbecue or alongside your favourite vegetarian meal.
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Burrowing Owl Syrah 2022, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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$35.00 I 91/100
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UPC: 688229004209
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Deeply coloured and confidently from South Okanagan, the 2022 Syrah offers plenty of ripe blackberry, blueberry, and meaty notes, streaked with violet, black pepper, olive tapenade, and desert scrub. It is a rich vintage with plenty of weight and power, with mostly silky tannins and oak present but not overwhelming. Lamb pairs well with young Syrah.
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Calendar items
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• The Fraser Valley Wine Passport is back, offering access to tastings at 14 wineries, two cideries, and one distillery. You can explore the Fraser Valley’s orchards, vineyards and fields with participating producers across Abbotsford, Langley and Surrey. Every stop features a non-alcoholic option, and many businesses enhance the experience with cocktails and light bites, patio seating, picnic areas, or on-site restaurants. The program runs until May 31, excluding Mother’s Day. Each $30 passport, including taxes, contributes $15 directly to participating businesses and $15 to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation to support local health care. Passports are available while supplies last at any participating location. In Langley, visit Backyard Vineyards, Chaberton Estate Winery, Chapter Estates Winery, Festina Lente Estate Winery, Fraser Valley Cider Company, Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery, Otter Trail Winery, Roots and Wings Distillery, and Township 7 Vineyards & Winery. Abbotsford stops include Cannon Estate Winery, Maan Farms Estate Winery, Mt. Lehman Winery, Ripples Winery, Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery, Singletree Winery, and Taves Estate Cidery. In Surrey, you can visit Gate 22 Winery.
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• The Pig Out Festival runs May 1-3 in Osoyoos, featuring a guest chef dinner, live demonstrations, and a multi-course feast with local wines. Tickets are $129.99 + tax. On May 2 at Oliver’s Cellar Door & More, you can enjoy unlimited bites from more than 16 chefs, wine tastings, cooking demos, music, and a market. Tickets are $109 + tax for adults, $45 + tax for youth, and free for children under 12. Transportation is available for $25. On May 3, join the Pig Out Trails wine tour to visit four wineries by bus for $45 + tax. Tickets at oliverosoyoos.com/pig-out-festival.
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B.C. wine of the week
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Fort Berens Réserve Riesling 2023, Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada
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$29.99 I 91/100
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UPC: 626990248958
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The Réserve Riesling is more tightly structured, with sharp acidity that highlights its tropical notes, while quince notes add bitterness, enhancing a mineral undertone. It is a complex wine that the Germans might describe as gastronomic because of its high acidity. The texture feels slightly creamy, which helps balance the overall profile. It is estate-grown, with fruit from Dry Creek Vineyard, planted in 2009, and Red Rock Vineyard, planted in 2019. The ideal pairing would be a sesame-ginger stir-fry or pork with garlic and lemon.
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Value wine of the week
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Honoro Vera Garnacha 2024, Calatayud, Aragón, Spain
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$23-$26 private wine shops I 89/100
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UPC: 08437005068858
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The Honoro Garnacha is one of the best values in Spanish wine, particularly in 2024. It features a refreshing, well-structured profile that highlights its vibrant red-fruit flavours and minerality. This wine is not only easy to enjoy but also simple to pair with food; consider serving it with a charcuterie board or a mushroom pasta dish. Be sure to look for this label in B.C. private wine stores.
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