Kelly Josephson
British Columbia is home to a number of grape growing regions, each producing distinct styles of wine but sharing in a rich history and awe-inspiring landscapes. The cool climate terroir sets the stage for exceptional wine.
Now with 30+ years behind the modern industry, BC can count itself as an established and premium wine region that attracts wine tourists as well as wine professionals from across the world.
The wine regions of BC are identified by ‘Geographical Indications’ (GI’s). With a focus on terroir-driven wines, the BC wine industry is naturally looking towards the creation of ‘Sub Geographical Indications’ (sub-GI’s) in certain sites.
“It’s time to recognize areas that stand out as having consistently unique terroir,” says Miles Prodan, President & CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia. “It is the next step in providing wine drinkers with additional assurance of origin and quality when they are buying a bottle of BC wine.”
Much like the study of wine itself, the creation of a region of distinction has to do with the people, the place, and the history. Take, for example, the most recently approved sub-GI in the southern Okanagan Valley: Golden Mile Slopes.
Honouring the place, the geographical boundaries of Golden Mile Slopes are based around the natural features of gentle east-facing alluvial fan footslopes and glaciofluvial landforms existing between the western valley wall of Mount Kobau and the floodplain of the Okanagan River.
This area is deemed ideal for premium wine production due to the history of Pleistocene glacial retreat and post-glacial erosion resulting in the landscape formation as well as sediment deposits in the soil optimal for viticulture.
The borders of the Golden Mile Slopes sub-GI respect existing natural and community features and are based only on sites primed for the production of quality wine grapes, for example, excluding the floodplain of the Okanagan River with its high water table and likelihood of consistent shoulder season frosts.
The defining features of Golden Mile Slopes include Mount Kobau, which allows for vineyard sites east of the Mount’s western aspect to enjoy early sunlight when ambient temperatures are coolest and limited afternoon exposure during the heat of the day. Mount Kobau also provides vineyards with cool wind flows, preserving acidity in the fruit.
The presence of ideal landscape features and coarse, stony soil combined with low rainfall allows for the production superior quality red wines with good balance, deep colour, ripe fruit flavours and aroma, and ample body.
The most planted variety in Golden Miles Slopes sub-GI is Merlot, followed by Cabernet Franc. The area is also making a name for premium Pinot Gris.
Criteria for the application of a proposed new Sub-GI*
- The area must be geographically distinct and have clearly defined boundaries
- Appropriate consultations must have taken place in the area and the region surrounding the area, with no credible objections made on the basis that the area is not geographically distinct
- Grape production in the area must be commercially viable
The administrator must hold a vote, by ballot, with respect to the proposal, and the proposal must be supported by at least 2/3 of the following:
- The practice standards certificate holders who process, in the area, at least 2/3 of the total wine processed from grapes grown in that area
- The registered grape growers who grow at least 2/3 of the total volume of grapes grown in that area by registered grape growers
*British Columbia Food and Agricultural Products Classification Act: Wines of Marked Quality Regulation. B.C. Reg. 168/2018. Section 9 (3).
BC wine connoisseurs are encouraged to explore the established sub-GI’s of British Columbia wine regions by taking note of their mention on wine labels! Learn more about each of the approved Sub-GI’s below:
Okanagan Valley GI
- Golden Mile Bench Sub-GI
- Okangan Falls Sub-GI
- Skaha Bench Sub-GI
- Naramata Bench Sub-GI
- Golden Mile Slopes Sub-GI
Vancouver Island GI
- Cowichan Valley Sub-GI