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Okanagan Falls lies near the dividing line between the North and South Okanagan, marked by McIntyre Bluff.
And it has a foot in both worlds. Across the GI, officially recognized in 2018, late-ripening reds are planted next to cool climate varieties such as pinot noir and chardonnay.
The unique topography of the subregion contributes to this duality. Spanning from the southern tip of Skaha Lake to the northern edge of Vaseux Lake, the undulating hills provide a range of sun exposures. Some vineyards are nestled against heat-retaining rocky outcrops, while others are directly exposed to the fierce winds exiting from the narrowing of the valley at McIntyre Bluff.
Temperature data from Summerland RDC Wine Grape Research shows that Okanagan Falls (1639 growing degree days in 2023) is more similar to the relatively cool subregion of Summerland (1634) than West Kelowna (1807) or the Naramata Bench (1815). Although this won’t be representative of all sites, especially given Okanagan Fall’s varied microclimates, it helps to explain why it has earned a reputation for its sparkling wines.
The lynchpin is arguably Canada’s leading sparkling wine producer, Blue Mountain Vineyards and Cellars. They continue to set the standard 33 years after the winery’s founding in 1991. However, other producers, such as Liquidity Wines and Noble Ridge Vineyards & Winery, are showing the breadth of the sub-region’s sparkling wines.
In this video, Anthony and Geoffrey take you to Okanagan Falls to taste some of its top sparkling wines.
