Summerland Strong

No matter the destruction, the response from Summerland growers, winery owners and residents has been swift and positive. For those producers unaffected, they will be hard at work hoping to rescue this year’s harvest. For others, rebuilding will be the refrain. As for the impact of the smoke, it will be a touch-and-go project until the fruit is assessed, picked and fermented into wine, so let’s leave the speculation out of any quality assessments until that happens. There has been a lot of progress on eliminating smoke taint, so it is time to be calm and wait for the experts to do their work.

Meanwhile, and more importantly, the valley has plenty of wine to sell thanks to a large and high-quality 2025 vintage. If you're planning to visit the Okanagan from now until late fall, remember that wineries, hotels, restaurants, and their partners are eager to host guests. Before your trip, contact the wineries you plan to visit and stay informed about current local conditions. Weather and smoke levels can vary significantly across the 175 km-long valley and throughout regions like the Similkameen, Thompson Valley, Lillooet, Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island.

If travelling isn’t feasible, consider purchasing online gift certificates or products. Any level of support will be greatly appreciated by everyone in the region, many of whom have faced challenging times since the pandemic.

• Haywire Winery and Garnet Valley Ranch Winery are preparing to reopen as soon as they are permitted back onto their properties. Both are influential modern wineries, producing still and sparkling wines, and their Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay rank among Summerland and B.C.’s most recognizable offerings.

• Lightning Rock Winery is regularly ranked among B.C.’s top small wineries, with an impressive portfolio of site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines.

• Dirty Laundry Vineyard has been a major tourist draw since opening, and its casual atmosphere and quality wines have made it one of the best-known brands on Bottleneck Drive.

• Sage Hills Organic Vineyard & Winery was an early pioneer of low-intervention wines and authentic vineyard expression, as is Thornhaven Estates, a Summerland original with a long history of producing pure aromatic whites and popular picnic-friendly wines.

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• 8th Generation Vineyard is a typical small, family-owned winery producing a series of elegant Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines.

• Solvero Wines, a high-elevation Garnet Valley producer, survived the fire and has a cellar full of outstanding Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.

• Lunessence Winery is a must-visit for its enticing Rhône varieties, elegant whites, and those seeking a lakeside setting.

• At Giant Head Estate Winery, Pinot Noir is the story.

• Summergate and Heaven’s Gate are tiny boutique producers of friendly, ready-to-drink estate wines.

Summerland's cideries deserve equal attention. Dominion Cider Co. is one of the leading cideries in the Okanagan, making serious, classically styled ciders from a range of apple varieties. We'd be reaching for First Principles – more of an English take, sourced from English and French cider apples – which is solid value at $6.49 for a tall can. And for everyday sippers, you can't go wrong with Nomad's Semi-Dry Cider ($7.99 a tall can) or Summerland Heritage Cider Co.'s Tuesday's Original ($8.99 for a 500 mL bottle).

Of course, ordering from a retailer is just one way to support Summerland's wineries and cideries. Many are still accepting online orders, even if it's unclear when they will be safe to ship. We'd encourage you to shop generously from your favourites – and be patient.

 The focus now is on immediate help, with wineries and an entire community evacuated. Charitable donations matter, but so does something simpler: supporting affected businesses. Victoria-based Vessel Liquor has made that easy through its online store, with Summerland wines and ciders in one place. With that in mind, we've put together a few recommendations to carry you through the rest of summer.