KELOWNA, British Columbia — Okanagan Valley winemaker Dave Carson earned a photo op with British Columbia Premier Christy Clark when his See Ya Later Ranch 2012 Rover Shiraz-Viognier ($22) won best of show at the 2014 British Columbia Wine Awards.
The competition had a record 540 entries, which led to 33 gold medals, 113 silver medals and 122 bronze medals. Five of the gold-medal wines, including the 2012 Rover, were selected to receive platinum awards. They were Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc, Quails’ Gate Winery 2012 Syrah, Silkscarf Winery 2013 Viognier and SpierHead Winery 2013 Pinot Gris.
Clark presented Carson with the Premier’s Wine Award on Wednesday in a public ceremony at the Laurel Heritage Packinghouse in Kelowna, and the event served as the official kickoff to the 34th Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, presented by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. The fall festival, created by the iconic Harry McWatters, now features more than 125 wine-related events and draws 10,000 visitors to the Okanagan Valley.
“BC wines are a source of pride for British Columbians throughout our province,” Clark said in a news release. ”Our wine industry creates jobs and drives economic activity in communities from the Okanagan up to Prince George. That’s why I’m proud to have presented the Premier’s Wine Award to See Ya Later Ranch for their Rover Shiraz-Viognier. Along with the other recipients, See Ya Later Ranch is at the forefront of BC’s thriving wine industry.
“Today more than ever, BC wines are taking their rightful place among the world’s best,” Clark added. “As we make concerted efforts to expand the market for our wine within Canada and around the world, the industry’s future is bright.”
Leo Gebert, founder St. Hubertus Estate Winery and Oak Bay Estate Vineyard in Kelowana, was presented with the Founder’s Award in recognition for his three decades of pioneering and contributions to the province’s wine industry.
Judging includes Kansas City MW Doug Frost
The BC Wine Awards, which concluded Sept. 24, were staged at the Naramata Heritage Inn overlooking Okanagan Lake near Penticton. The nine-judge panel included Doug Frost, a Master of Wine and Master Sommelier based in Kansas City, and acclaimed wine educator DJ Kearney from Vancouver.
Carson, who produced the competition’s top wine, took over the winemaking at the Okanagan Falls winery in 2003, but he’s been a part of the BC wine industry since 1981 when he helped McWatters plant vineyards at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery in Summerland and also played a role in the Becker Project, the region’s groundbreaking research enterprise. He served as assistant winemaker from 1996 until 2003, when he was promoted to sister winery Hawthorne Mountain Vineyard in 2003.
Rover is a tribute to the final dog buried on the property by Maj. Hugh Fraser, a former World War I prisoner of war who first planted vines on Hawthorne Mountain in 1962. There are a dozen headstones of canines on the site that overlooks Skaha Lake, and Fraser named his property See Ya Later Ranch.
In 1995, McWatters purchased Albert LeComte’s winery and vineyard, which excelled with Gewurztraminer, and renamed it Hawthorne Mountain Vineyard. McWatters sold Hawthorne Mountain Vineyard and Sumac Ridge to Vincor in 2000. The winery subsequently launched a reserve tier called See Ya Later and a rebrand by Constellation led to the adoption of the name for the entire winery.
Premier’s Award for Best Wine
See Ya Later Ranch 2012 Rover Shiraz-Viognier
Platinum
Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc
Quails’ Gate 2012 Syrah
See Ya Later Ranch 2012 Rover Shiraz-Viognier
Silkscarf Winery 2013 Viognier
SpierHead Winery 2013 Pinot Gris
Gold
Arrowleaf Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir
Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery 2012 Pinot Noir
CC Jentsch Cellars 2012 Syrah
Cassini Cellars 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2013 Platinum Viognier
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2013 Riesling
Eau Vivre Winery & Vineyards 2013 Riesling
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc
Gray Monk Estate Winery 2010 Odyssey Traditional Brut
Gray Monk Estate Winery 2012 Odyssey White Brut
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2013 Reserve Riesling Icewine
Kraze Legz Vineyard and Winery 2013 Skaha Vineyard Mystique
Kraze Legz Vineyard and Winery 2013 Skaha Vineyard Pinot Blanc
Meadow Vista Honey Wines NV Ostara
Mission Hill Family Estate 2013 Reserve Riesling Ice Wine
Mooberry Winery 2014 Raspberry
Moon Curser Vineyards 2012 Border Vines
Moon Curser Vineyards 2012 Dead of Night
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2011 Semillon
Quails’ Gate Winery 2013 Chenin Blanc
Quails’ Gate Winery 2012 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay
Robin Ridge Winery 2012 Gamay
Ruby Blues Winery 2013 Commune Pinot Gris
Sandhill Wines 2012 Small Lots Syrah Phantom Creek Vineyard
Saxon Winery 2013 Leon Millot Estate Reserve
Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2011 Syrah
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery 2012 Black Sage Vineyard Merlot
Thornhaven Estates Winery 2012 Syrah
Tightrope Winery 2013 Riesling
Time Estate Winery 2013 The Girls Vivacious Rose
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay
Wild Goose Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris
Wild Goose Vineyards 2012 Red Horizon Meritage
Silver
Arrowleaf Cellars 2013 First Crush White
Arrowleaf Cellars 2013 Pinot Gris
Arrowleaf Cellars 2013 Special Select Late Harvest Vidal
Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Chardonnay – Keremeos
Bench 1775 2013 Chill
Bench 1775 2013 Paradise Ranch Riesling Icewine
Calona Vineyards 2013 Artist Series Sovereign Opal
Calona Vineyards 2013 Artist Series Unoaked Chardonnay
Cana Vines 2012 Water to White
Cassini Cellars 2011 Cabernet Franc
Cassini Cellars 2013 Cabernet Merlot
Cassini Cellars 2010 The Godfather
Cassini Cellars 2011 Syrah Collector’s Series
Cassini Cellars 2011 Syrah Grand Reserve
CC Jentsch Cellars 2013 The Chase
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2013 Ehrenfelser
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2011 Estate Winery Cabernet Merlot
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2013 Estate Winery Pinot Gris
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2013 Gewurztraminer
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2012 Merlot
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2013 Platinum Block 3 Riesling
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2012 Platinum Block 5 Chardonnay
Church & State Wines 2012 Coyote Bowl Series Chardonnay
Church & State Wines 2012 Gravelbourg Vineyard Chardonnay
Clos Du Soleil Winery 2012 Signature
Dirty Laundry Vineyard 2013 Say Yes Pinot Gris
Eau Vivre Winery & Vineyards 2013 Cinq Blanc
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Pinot Noir
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Meritage
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2013 Riesling
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2013 Private Reserve Pinot Noir
Gray Monk Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Merlot
Gray Monk Estate Winery 2013 Ehrenfelser
Gray Monk Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay Unwooded
Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery 2012 Gamay Noir
Hester Creek Estate Winery 2012 Merlot Block 2 Reserve
Hester Creek Estate Winery 2013 Trebbiano
Hidden Chapel Winery 2012 Preacher Man
Inniskillin Okanagan 2011 Dark Horse Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Inniskillin Okanagan 2012 Discovery Series Malbec
Inniskillin Okanagan 2012 Discovery Series Tempranillo Icewine
Inniskillin Okanagan 2012 Estate Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Intrigue Wines 2013 Gewurztraminer
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2012 Grand Reserve Chardonnay
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2012 Grand Reserve CSV White
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2010 Grand Reserve Entourage
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2012 Reserve Merlot
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2012 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2011 SunRock Vineyard Shiraz
Kraze Legz Vineyard and Winery 2011 All That Jazz
Lake Breeze Vineyards 2011 Seven Poplars Pinot Noir
Lake Breeze Vineyards 2012 Seven Poplars Chardonnay
Mission Hill Family Estate 2012 Perpetua Chardonnay
Mission Hill Family Estate 2013 Reserve Vidal Icewine
Mission Hill Family Estate 2012 Reserve Chardonnay
Mocojo Winery 2013 Gewurztraminer
Monster Vineyards 2013 White Knuckle
Monte Creek Ranch Winery 2013 Hands Up White
Monte Creek Ranch Winery 2013 Gewurztraminer
Moon Curser Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Moon Curser Vineyards 2012 Petit Verdot
Moon Curser Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir
Moon Curser Vineyards 2012 Syrah
Moraine Estate Winery 2012 Pinot Noir
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2010 Syrah
Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery 2012 Reserve Chardonnay
Oliver Twist Estate Winery 2013 Patio Passion
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2012 Estate Grown Merlot
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2012 Red Icon
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2012 Estate Grown Syrah
Perseus Winery & Vineyards 2013 Select Lots Viognier
Perseus Winery & Vineyards 2013 Pinot Blanc
Poplar Grove Winery 2013 Blanc de Noirs
Poplar Grove Winery 2010 Merlot
Poplar Grove Winery 2011 Syrah
Quails’ Gate 2013 Pinot Gris
Quails’ Gate 2012 Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir
Red Rooster Winery 2013 Reserve Gewurztraminer
Red Rooster Winery 2012 Reserve Meritage
Red Rooster Winery 2012 Reserve Merlot
Red Rooster Winery 2011 Reserve Syrah
Road 13 Vineyards 2011 5th Element
Road 13 Vineyards 2011 Sparkling Chenin Blanc
Ruby Blues Winery 2013 Commune Viognier
Ruby Blues Winery 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Ruby Blues Winery 2013 White Stiletto
Sandhill Wines Cabernet Merlot Sandhill Estate Vineyard
Sandhill Wines Sauvignon Blanc Sandhill Estate Vineyard
Saxon Winery Ltd 2013 Crown Jewel
Silkscarf Winery 2009 Shiraz Reserve
Sleeping Giant Winery 2013 Ted’s Tribute
SpierHead Winery 2012 Riesling
St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery 2012 Oak Bay Vineyard Gamay Noir
St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery 2012 Oak Bay Vineyard Marechal Foch
Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2012 Cabernet Franc
Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2012 Hawk’s Hollow
Stoneboat Vineyards 2012 Pinotage
Sunnybrae Vineyards and Winery 2011 Marechal Foch
Terravista Vineyards 2013 Fandango
The View Winery 2012 Riesling
Thornhaven Estates Winery 2011 Pinot Noir
Thornhaven Estates Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay
Tightrope Winery 2013 Viognier
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2010 Oldfield Series Pinot Noir
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2012 Reserve 7
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2012 Merlot
Van Westen Vineyards 2010 V
Volcanic Hills Winery 2013 Single Vineyard Gewurztraminer
Wayne Gretzky Okanagan 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah
Wayne Gretzky Okanagan 2013 The Great Red
Wayne Gretzky Okanagan 2012 The Great White
Wild Goose Vineyards 2013 Autumn Gold
Wild Goose Vineyards 2013 Mystic River Pinot Blanc
Bronze
40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery 2012 Safe Haven
40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery 2012 Rosé
50th Parallel Estate Winery 2012 Pinot Noir
8th Generation Vineyard 2012 Integrity
Arrowleaf Cellars 2013 Bacchus
Arrowleaf Cellars 2013 First Crush Rosé
Arrowleaf Cellars 2013 Gewurztraminer
Arrowleaf Cellars 2012 Zweigelt
Bella Wines 2013 Westside Sparkling Chardonnay
Bench 1775 2012 Cabernet Franc Merlot
Bench 1775 2012 Chardonnay
Bench 1775 2013 Pinot Gris
Blasted Church Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Blasted Church Vineyards 2013 Hatfield’s Fuse
Blasted Church Vineyards 2013 Mixed Blessings
Blasted Church Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris
Blasted Church Vineyards 2012 Syrah
Blasted Church Vineyards 2013 Unorthodox Chardonnay
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Athene
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Chardonnay
Calona Vineyards 2013 Artist Series Pinot Noir
Cana Vines NV Bouquet
Cassini Cellars 2012 Viognier Marssane Roussane
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2012 Platinum Block 2 Pinot Noir
Church & State Wines 2012 Trebella
Clos Du Soleil Winery 2012 Celestiale
Clos Du Soleil Winery 2013 Saturn
Corcelettes Estate Winery 2012 Menhir
Deep Roots Winery 2013 Gamay
Dirty Laundry Vineyard 2013 Dangerous Liaison
Dirty Laundry Vineyard 2012 Pinot Noir
Dirty Laundry Vineyard 2013 Secret Affair
EauVivre Winery & Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc
EauVivre Winery & Vineyards 2012 Malbec
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2013 Signature Series Riesling Icewine
Gray Monk Estate Winery 2011 Odyssey White Meritage
Gray Monk Estate Winery 2012 Riesling
Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery 2012 Gewurztraminer
Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery 2013 Gewurztraminer
Hester Creek Estate Winery 2013 Late Harvest Pinot Blanc
Hester Creek Estate Winery 2012 Selected Barrels Merlot
Hillside Estate Winery 2013 Gewurztraminer
Inniskillin Okanagan 2011 Discovery Series Tempranillo
Intrigue Wines 2013 Pinot Gris
Intrigue Wines 2013 Riesling
Intrigue Wines NV Social
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2011 Grand Reserve CSV Red
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2010 SunRock Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate 2012 SunRock Vineyard Illumina
Kalala Organic Estate Winery 2013 Harmony White
Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery NV Blackberry Portoe
Kraze Legz Vineyard and Winery 2011 Black Bottom Stomp
Kraze Legz Vineyard and Winery 2013 Skaha Vineyard Icewine Merlot
Kraze Legz Vineyard and Winery 2013 The Cakewalk Merlot
Lake Breeze Vineyards 2013 Rosé
Lake Breeze Vineyards 2013 Semillon
Lake Breeze Vineyards 2013 Winemaker Series Windfall
Lang Vineyards 2013 Meritage
Meadow Vista Honey Winery NV Bliss
Mission Hill Family Estate 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Mission Hill Family Estate 2012 Reserve Merlot
Mission Hill Family Estate 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir
Mission Hill Family Estate 2013 Reserve Riesling
Monster Vineyards 2012 Cabs
Monster Vineyards 2012 Red Eye
Monte Creek Ranch Winery 2013 Frontenac Gris
Moon Curser Vineyards 2011 Border Vines
Moon Curser Vineyards 2012 Malbec
Moraine Estate Winery 2013 Riesling
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2013 Ehrenfelser
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2011 Family Reserve Chardonnay
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2012 Merlot
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Gris
Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery 2011 Pinot Noir
Oliver Twist Estate Winery 2013 Late Harvest Kerner
Oliver Twist Estate Winery 2013 Merlot/Cabernet Franc
Oliver Twist Estate Winery 2013 Viognier
Poplar Grove Winery 2013 Chardonnay
Poplar Grove Winery 2009 The Legacy
Poplar Grove Winery 2013 Viognier
Privato Vineyard and Winery 2013 Silvio’s Chardonnay
Quails’ Gate 2011 Old Vines Foch
Red Rooster Winery 2013 Bantam
Road 13 Vineyards 2011 Jackpot Cabernet Sauvignon
Road 13 Vineyards 2011 Merlot Syrah
Road 13 Vineyards 2012 Pinot Noir
Road 13 Vineyards 2012 Seventy-Four K
Road 13 Vineyards 2012 Stemwinder Chardonnay Marsanne Rousanne
Road 13 Vineyards 2012 Syrah Malbec
Robin Ridge Winery 2011 Big Bird Meritage
Sandhill Wines 2013 Pinot Gris King Family Vineyard
Sandhill Wines 2013 Chardonnay Sandhill Estate vineyard
See Ya Later Ranch 2012 Ping
Serendipity Winery 2010 Reserve Serenata
Silkscarf Winery 2011 Cabernet Franc
Silkscarf Winery 2013 Ensemble Blanc
SpierHead Winery 2012 Gentleman Farmer Vineyard Pinot Noir
SpierHead Winery 2012 Pinot Noir
St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery 2012 Pinot Noir
St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery 2013 St Hubertus Vineyard Chasselas
St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery 2012 St Hubertus Vineyard Dry Riesling
Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2013 Grenache
Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2013 Viognier Hearle Vineyard
Stoneboat Vineyards 2013 Chorus
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery 2012 Black Sage Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery 2012 Black Sage Vineyard Shiraz
Therapy Vineyards 2013 Freudian Sip
Therapy Vineyards 2013 Pink Freud
Therapy Vineyards 2012 Pinot Noir
Thornhaven Estates Winery 2013 Gewurztraminer
Thornhaven Estates Winery 2013 Rosé
TIME Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Oldfield Series 2Bench White
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Oldfield Series Merlot
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris
Van Westen Vineyards 2013 Vivacious
Volcanic Hills Winery 2013 Riesling Icewine
Wild Goose Vineyards 2013 Botrytis Affected Riesling
Wild Goose Vineyards 2013 Gewurtztraminer
Wild Goose Vineyards 2012 Merlot
Wild Goose Vineyards 2013 Riesling
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