BC wines have been making a name for themselves in recent years, and there is no shortage of alluring wineries to visit in destinations such as the Okanagan Valley. This British Columbia wine hub has a relatively hot and dry climate, and thanks in part to irrigation practices, it produces some savory Cab, Merlots, and Chardonnay. If you are up for trying something more original, a varietals such as Sangiovese are also produced in the region. The Okanagan Valley is the one of five BC wine regions, and its main city of Kamloops can definitely make a good wine country base.

British Columbia wine tours can be arranged in all five designated viticultural areas. The other areas include Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Fraser Valley, and the Similkameen Valley. More than 700 wineries and independent growers are dispersed throughout these regions, and together they produce more than 60 different varietals. Among the top-rated red varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Shiraz. As for the white wines that figure among the best of the best, they include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc. The ratio of production is almost equal between reds and whites, though red wines seem to be growing in popularity.

There are more than 100 British Columbia wineries in the Okanagan Valley alone. The region is also known for its excellent restaurants. As such, the region an ideal place to go if you want to enjoy British Columbia wine tours and pair the local products with some good food. On Okanagan Valley wine tours, you can get wonderful insight into the wine-making process at one of the larger wineries or head to a boutique winery instead to enjoy a more intimate atmosphere and maybe even chat with the owner. If you're not enjoying a guided wine tour through this top BC wine region, you might hop on the renowned Mountains & Vineyards Circle Route and enjoy a scenic drive that can involve a lot of fun and interesting stops.

British Columbia Map

Many British Columbia wineries remain open throughout the year, so there's really never a bad time to visit if you want to enjoy a BC wine tour. The best time to sample BC wines and visit the wineries is arguably between April and September. This is when the weather throughout the province is at its best.

If you want to add some more substance to your wine-related escape in British Columbia, you might try to plan your visit around a wine festival or event. You can also seek out top BC wine lodging and stay near the vineyards. Some wineries even offer overnight accommodations of their own, so you might start there. As for the BC wine festivals, the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival is among the most popular. Other excellent festivals such as the September Cowichan Wine & Culinary Festival on Vancouver Island can also be a joy to experience for wine enthusiasts.