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Celebrate Holiday With Featured VQA Wines From B.C
Celebrate Holiday With Featured VQA Wines From B.C
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS B.C. STYLE. A GIFT GUIDE FEATURING FIVE STANDOUT BC VQA WINES
Each bottle tells a story of place, passion, and celebration, making BC VQA wines the perfect pour for every personality on your holiday list!
VANCOUVER, B.C.: This holiday season, celebrate connection, craftsmanship, and Canadian pride with BC VQA wines, a collection of bottles that embodies the essence of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Perfect for gifting, entertaining, or sharing over a cozy dinner, these five wines offer something for everyone, from the dinner-party host to the wine enthusiast who’s seen it all.
As Canadians gather around tables filled with laughter and good food, our B.C. made wines invite everyone to raise a glass to locally crafted excellence. Each bottle tells a story of resilience, rooted in the land and the people who bring these wines to life.
FIVE WINES TO GIFT AND GATHER AROUND
Gray Monk Estate Winery, Cabernet Merlot 2022, Okanagan Valley, B.C.
A bright garnet-hued Cabernet Merlot with aromas of blackberry, black currant, and chocolate and a subtle undertone of oak. This full-bodied wine has great structure and soft, delicate tannins. It’s the perfect gift for the holiday host or the friend who loves pairing wine with good conversation, a juicy roast or a delicious cheese board.
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, 2022 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, B.C.
Fruity aromas of raspberry, red plum are followed by subtle herbal notes. Aged in French oak barrels, it reveals layers of vanilla and spice that complement its bright fruit character. Ideal for those who appreciate refinement and sustainability, it’s the go-to gift for someone who enjoys cozy winter dinners or the ritual of opening a thoughtful bottle on a quiet evening.
Sandhill Wines, Sparkling Brut NV, Okanagan Valley, B.C.
This elegant wine has a beautiful straw yellow colour and fine bubbles. The fruit is bright and expressive, with pristine, ripe lemon and apple that’s lifted by fresh biscuit and honeysuckle. Perfect for the entertainer who loves hosting guests, this wine pairs beautifully with creamy pastas, baked cheeses and conversation that lasts all night.
Red Rooster Winery, 2023 Pinot 3, Okanagan Valley, B.C.
Vibrant and refreshing with lemon, melon and a hint of almond, this wine is made for the free spirit, the one who hosts brunch, decorates early, and believes the holidays start the moment the music does. Serve it with smoked salmon, fresh salads, or your favourite festive appetizers.
Black Hills Estate Winery, 2023 Nota Bene, Okanagan Valley, B.C.
A bold Bordeaux-style blend and a true collector’s piece, Nota Bene delivers layers of dark cherry, plum, and warm spice. It’s the ultimate gift for the connoisseur, a statement bottle that elevates any table and celebrates the richness of the season.
Together, these five BC VQA wines represent the heart of the Okanagan, where dedication, innovation, and community come together in every pour.
Gray Monk’s founders, George and Trudy Heiss, planted their first grapes in Okanagan’s Lake Country in 1972 with a vision of making wines as enjoyable as the ones they’d grown up with in Germany and Austria. That mission fueled the odyssey that led to pioneering the growth of cool-climate vinifera in British Columbia and forging a future for estate wineries that evolved into the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA). Gray Monk was the first to bring the famed Pinot Gris grape to B.C. (the name “Gray Monk” is a playful homage to the German nickname). Now, under the helm of the Pellers, Gray Monk is the leading producer of Pinot Gris, the Okanagan Valley’s signature white grape varietal, and other cool-climate wines made from heritage vines. www.graymonk.com
Established in 1997, Sandhill is uniquely positioned to be Kelowna’s premiere wine destination, conveniently located in the heart of downtown Kelowna. The Estate, once home of Calona Wines, was established in 1932 and has the distinction of being B.C’s original and oldest continuing winery. Sandhill is a top VQA wine brand that delivers expertly crafted and easily approachable wines made from classic varietals, which are an essential part of our White Label tier, and from distinctive Italian grape varietals, which form part of our exclusive Small Lots program. Each bottle of Sandhill wine is made from grapes that come from six unique vineyards located in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. This unique variety gives our winemaker an opportunity to create wines that have complexity while ensuring the best expression of each varietal. www.sandhillwines.ca
Red Rooster Winery is one of the original wineries established on the Naramata Bench, proudly crafting award-winning wines since 1997. Celebrated for its precise, contemporary style, Red Rooster creates wines that resonate with both traditionalists and free spirits. The team approaches winemaking with dedication and a sense of humour, taking their craft seriously but never themselves. Open seasonally, the tasting room offers a warm, relaxed atmosphere with some of the most striking views on the Bench. www.redroosterwinery.com
Established in 1993, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards is a fixture of the South Okanagan wine community, situated along the distinct terroirs of the Golden Mile and Black Sage Benches. As Canada’s first Certified Carbon Neutral winery, Tinhorn Creek is committed to sustainability, with its home vineyard certified by Sustainable Winegrowing B.C. The winery is known for crafting expressive, site-driven wines. Most notably, the estate’s standout Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay reflect the purity and character of the region. The winery is guided by the belief that great wine is shaped by the land, the people, and the practices behind it. www.tinhorn.com
ABOUT ANDREW PELLER LTD.
Andrew Peller Ltd. is Canada’s largest premium wine producer, with a rich heritage dating back to 1927 when Andrew Peller arrived in Canada with just five dollars and a dream. Today, the company stands as a leader in the Canadian wine industry, producing and marketing an extensive portfolio of award-winning wines, spirits, craft beverages, and home winemaking products. With nine acclaimed wineries across British Columbia and Ontario, including Peller Estates, Trius, and Wayne Gretzky Estates, Andrew Peller Ltd. offers best-in-class wine and dining experiences that attract thousands of guests each year. The company’s diverse range of brands, including No Boats on Sunday and Wayne Gretzky No. 99, reflects its commitment to innovation and quality. As a publicly traded company, Andrew Peller Ltd. continues to execute its vision of “Pouring Extraordinary into Everyday Life” by expanding its product portfolio, embracing new technology, and ensuring excellence across its operations. For more information, visit andrewpeller.com.
