There are nine official wine regions, or geographical indications (similar to American Viticultural Areas in the United States) in British Columbia, and some have sub-regions, known as sub-GIs.
Okanagan Valley, which includes the Golden Mile Bench, Naramata Bench and Okanagan Falls
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island
Gulf Islands
Shuswap
Lillooet
Kootenays
Information via Wine Growers of British Columbia
- 1,049 vineyards, with 11,086 acres planted
- 80+ grape varieties produced
- Top five whites by acreage: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
- Top five reds by acreage: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah
- There are 370 licenced wineries in the province; 284 of those are licenced grape wineries
- The British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance. The “BC VQA” was established in 1990 to guarantee consumers they were drinking wine made from 100 percent BC grapes. Not all wineries participate in the VQA program, overseen by the British Columbia Wine Authority — an independent body.
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