Laura Kittmer
It was about learning first hand from winery-goers what keeps bringing them back. This was the passion behind the BC Wine Institute’s second annual Best of BC Wine Country Awards, which called on the public to vote on their top picks from the Wines of British Columbia in all nine diverse wine regions. Voting lasted four weeks and crowd sourced close to 3,500 votes, with 25 per cent of people voting on multiple wine regions.
Director of Communications and Content Maggie Anderson is pleased with the uptake from the public. “The participation from both the public and wineries was outstanding,” she says. “In its second year running, we received 175 per cent more votes than last year and what really impressed us was the engagement we saw on social media.”
Travel expert and best-selling author of Travel Best Bets, Claire Newell is a big supporter of the Best of BC Wine Country awards, blogging, “Here in BC they are essentially the people’s choice awards of wine. Winners are voted on by tourists and locals – not wine experts - making this a truly consumer-based award.”
So what are the “people’s choice awards” or “best of” in BC wine country for 2018?
BEST OF BC WINE
- Best BC Red: Black Hills Estate Winery Nota Bene Red Blend
- Best BC White: Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery Autumn Gold White Blend
- Best BC Rosé: Quails’ Gate Winery Lucy's Block Rose
- Best BC Sparkling: Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cipes Brut
BEST OF BC PLACE
- Best Wine Trail: Naramata Bench Winery Association
- Best Winery Accommodation: The Guest House at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
- Best Restaurant Showcasing Local Food: Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Winery
- Best Winery Pet: Desert Hills Estate Winery – Ali the dog
BEST OF BC EXPERIENCE
- Best Winery Tour: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
- Best Tasting Room: Silver Sage Winery
- Best Events: Concerts at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
- Best View: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
Visit http://bestof.winebc.com/ for a complete list of region winners in each of the above categories.
Votes indicated that beyond general enjoyment of BC wines, the local culinary, educational experiences, culture and scenic views at wineries are encouraging people to explore beyond their usual BC wine experience.
Celebrated Kelowna-based social influencer Tori Wesszer of Fraiche Nutrition blogged about her wine touring experience in August saying, “British Columbia wineries are truly one of the most interesting places to visit. From local gourmet food trucks and restaurants, boutique accommodations, artisan shopping and world-class views, every winery is different and offers a rich and unique experience. There’s so much more than just wine to be enjoyed at these wineries!”
What does the future hold? The wine industry in BC has boomed, now boasting nine official Geographical Indications (GIs), two official Sub-Geographical Indications (Sub-GIs) and more than 276 wineries. BC wineries continue to expand their wine touring experiences for consumers, and with grape harvest upon us we can look forward to another excellent BC wine vintage.
Laura Kittmer is the Media Relations Manager at the British Columbia Wine Institute. www.winebc.org @WineBCdotcom