Do Not Let The Smoke Get in Your Vines!!

Don’t let the Okanagan smoke get in your vines!
If you do I’m tellin’ you
You’ll wan’t tosss the wine
If Okanagan  smoke gets in your eyes

It has been a difficult few years for many Okanagan wineries.   Since the late 70s, Okanagan wineries have steadily grown in quality. Becoming a leader among the world's best.

In 2003, a Forest fire destroyed the St Hubertus Estate Winery.  It was a major setback for the winery but their neighbouring wineries came to their rescue, and they continued to produce world-quality wine

The 2024 growing season for BC wineries was one of the most difficult in provincial history. Interior regions (Okanagan, Similkameen, Thompson, Shuswap) suffered catastrophic crop losses of 90–99% due to a January deep freeze, while coastal regions (Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, Gulf Islands) had a cool, wet but mostly normal‑volume season. 

The 2025 growing season in British Columbia was widely described as a remarkable rebound year—one of the strongest, most balanced, and most optimistic vintages BC has seen in years.

Across the province, winemakers expressed a “renewed sense of optimism” and called 2025 a genuine turning point for BC wine.

   

 But for the Summerland region and other  Okanagan regions, 2026 may be a disaster due to a horrid forest fire season. Early season reports from 2026 showed vines ahead of schedule, healthy. growth and a possible great harvest producing quality wines. 

However extremely dry conditions have greatly aided the fires and smoke will be reachingthe vines of far too many wineries. Although not winery building have at this time been damaged , evacuating and crop loss and a lost tourist season will greatly effect the wineries.

 

Forest‑fire smoke can significantly affect grapevines, especially the berries, by introducing volatile phenols that later create smoke taint in wine. The key issue is not vine health but wine quality: smoke compounds absorbed by grapes become bound to sugars, then release harsh smoky, ashy flavours during fermentation.

There is really nothing the winemaker can do. Current science shows that no spray, barrier, or vineyard practice reliably stops volatile phenols from entering grape skins, and even “clean‑looking” grapes can later develop smoky, ashy flavours during fermentation.

Wildfire smoke contains volatile phenols (VPs) such as guaiacol and cresols. Grapes absorb these compounds through their skins, then bind them to sugars as glycosides. These glycosides are odorless at harvest but break apart during fermentation, releasing harsh smoky flavours.

You can not detect the smoke in the vines untill the wine is made!!! 

Comments are welcome.

On a beautiful  July afternoon, Barbara and I, along with friends Ken and Jane, decided it was long past time we headed for the beach and enjoyed some fish and Chips.   Moby Dick Restaurant is a long‑time beachfront favourite in White Rock, known for classic fish & chips. It’s located right on Marine Drive and is one of the most popular spots on the promenade,

Although it was busy, we were lucky enough to get a nice table on the patio. We were also lucky in getting one of the most professional and charming waitresses to serve us. 

I do not normally order a glass of wine with fish and chips, but today was the day. I will have to criticize the restaurant for not having a single BC wine on the wine list. I settled on a New Zealand wine. Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio. 

I would have to say it was not up to par with recent  Pinot Grigio wines I have enjoy. However, it was still good. The fish Yummy!  

We enjoyed our meal, then wander along the street to the ice cream shop. Barbara had Strawberry and I had chocolate. A perfect afternoon.

 Live at the Keg!

Tuesday was moving day. Not from one house to another, just moving furniture from one room to another, but it was exhausting. Thank goodness for our adopted (not legally) daughter Mary.

Mary arranged everything and did almost everything. She arranged movers to bring the new Bed from Vancouver to our home in White Rock.  Seems easy, but the old bed was bigger than the doorway and the new bed even bigger.

So as day turned into night, we were starving! The decision was to dine at the Keg,,

It was a very wise decision. We needed to relax, regenerate and fill up our empty stomachs with amazing food and,of course, fine wine

 Honestly, that’s exactly what The Keg is built for. Good steak, good drinks, and that cozy, slightly upscale vibe that makes even a regular day feel like an occasion. At The Keg, one must order their cheese bread and Caesar Salad. Oh so good but such large portions.

I went with a Pinot Gris from Burrowing Owl in the Okangan. Hmmm  Must have been a 2024 as it was a little below standard the acidly was a bit too high.  Barb joined me in the wine selection. Mary went with a Espresso Martini.

Everyone ordered the Prime Rib.. perfection indeed. The prime rib was outstanding — tender, perfectly seasoned, and cooked exactly the way prime rib should be. Every bite had that rich, slow‑roasted flavor that makes you stop and appreciate the moment. The portion was generous, the au jus was deep and savory.

The baked potato, which came hot, fluffy, and loaded just the way I like it. Service was friendly and attentive, making the whole experience feel relaxed and enjoyable.

Thank you Mary!!!!!

 

Have you ever planned your day to visit a winery and, upon arrival, found a closed sign on the Gate? It has happened to my wife and I far too often.  Of course, before we begin our journey, I check the  winery's website to ensure the winery is open that day. Seldom does a winery take the effort to change their "regular" operating hours to match special events.

One particular weekend on Vancouver Island, I can remember a very disappointing day. It was a long weekend. We were visiting on a Monday.  Yes, I checked all 4 wineries' websites. Every one of them said open Mondays. No mention of closing on Holidays. Three out of four had closed signs. Have we ever visited those wineries again. Did I ever write their praises on my blog or website!

Closing for a wedding is different of course. It's all about the mighty dollar. Private events (weddings, corporate retreats, milestone celebrations) often pay significantly higher fees than regular tasting‑room traffic.

It will, however, result in loss of customer traffic and send those customers down the road. They may never return. They can be extremely annoyed if the closure was not communicated clearly. Relying on Facebook to notify customers is not going to work for numerous reasons, but many wineries rely upon this method.

Larger wineries may be able to handle special events without interrupting regular customer service. These wineries are few and far between. Finding staff with knowledge to do the job right is also a problem Sacrafing service quality can have negative results.

If the winery close too often for weddings or private events, customers may start to think:

• “This place is more of a wedding venue than a winery.”

• “They care more about events than wine.”

One more thought

If you winery is open to 5pm and a customer walks in 2 minutes they are entitled to full service. Sending them away a very bad idea.

If you read the previous blogs where I graded the wineries there are some starnge and horrific stores why some wineries got an F.

 A World of Wine

Sadly, I had to give up my website www.winesofcanada.com. The costs to maintain the site, along with the lack of support from the wineries, made it impossible to continue. However, from the disappointment arose an opportunity. I no longer felt the obligation to always buy Canadian wines.

I could now explore the world of wines. According to the International Organization of Vines and wines 85 countries produce wine. Approximately only 20 of them are major exporters to Canada. Have you ever tried a wine from Ethiopia?! Then again if you find the right specialty shops, you can find  wines from almost 50 countries

Italy, actually,by volume, is the #1 supplier, with Spain on the rise. Tariffs and politics have reduced the import of US wines.

Canada exports wines to approximately 18 countries. Mainly to USA and the Orient. Canada does ship wine to a few European Countries..

When it comes to what wines Canadians by Italy, Austrialia and France are the top three. Spain is however making major gains in Canada

Every summer I hold a little party where guest are are asked to bring a wine from from a unknown country and talk about the wine region. Yes, I write up that report every year!

 

Hospitality Is the Key 2

When I operated the website winesofcanada once a year, I listed the best wineries to visit across our great country, Canada. It required a great deal of time, effort, and cooperation. Today I will grade the wineries that I have visit here in BC in the last few years. I will grade on exactly one Criteria    Hospitality.

Previously I did  A-K

L

Mann Farms Winery - C

Merridale Cidery - D

Mission Hill - C

Mt Boucherie - D

Moon Curser - C

Mount Lehman - A

Nagging Doubt - A

Nichol Vineyards - D

Nk' Mip -  F

Nostalgia - C

Orofino - F

Otter Trail - C
Pacific Breeze - C

Painted Rock - B'

Quails Gate - D

Quinta Ferreria - C

Recline Ridge - B
Red Rooster - C

Ripples - D

Rustic Roots - F

Sage Hill - B

Salt Spring Island - B

Sea Side Estate - F

Sea Pearl Farm Estate - A

See Ya Later - B

Silver Sage - B

Sperling Vineyards - A

Spearhead - A+

St Lazlo's - B
St Hubertus - A

Summer Gate - A
Summer Hill Pyramid - F

SunnyBrae - A

Tantalus - B

Fort Wine co - F

The View - A+

Thorhaven -  F

Time - A+

Tinhorn Creek - A+
Township7 - Naramata - C

Township 7 Langley Township - A+

Unsworth -A

Venturi - Schulze- A

Vigneti Marchetto - F
Vigneti Zanatta - C
Vista Doro - F

Whispering Horse - A

 Hospitality Is the Key

When I operated the website winesofcanada once a year, I listed the best wineries to visit across our great country, Canada. It required a great deal of time, effort, and cooperation. Today I will grade the wineries that I have visit here in BC in the last few years. I will grade on exactly one Criteria   Hospitality.

I will do this is alpabetical order , # first

8th Generation - A

40 Knots Estate - A+

50th Parallel Estate - A

1st R.O.W - C

Alderlea Winery - B

Arrowleaf Cellars - B
Artisan Sakemaker -D

Averill Creek - A

Backyard Vineyards -A+
Blackmarket Wine Co -A+

Black Widow - B

Blasted Church - F

Blue Grouse - A+

Border Town -A+

Borrowing Owl - F

Golden Campbell Meadery - B

Cannon Estate - D

Castro de Ore -A

CedarCreek Estate - C

Chaberton Estate - D

Cherry Point - C

Church and State Kelowna -F

Church and State Victoria  - A+

Clos du Soleil - B

Costal Black - B

Corcelettes - A

Crowsnest - C

D' Angelo -A

Deol Vineyard -  F

Deep Roots - A

Ex Nihilo  - A+

Festina Lente - A+
Fitzpatrick Vineyards - B
Forbidden Fruit - A

Garry Oak Vineyards - F
Gehringer Brothers - B
Glass House - A+

Hainle Vineyards - D

Haywire - C
Heaven Gate - B

Hester Creek - D

Hillside - C

Intersection - A

Inniskillian - F
Isabella - F

Krause Berry Farm - A

Kraz Legs - A+

Please return again as I Grade  L- S

Happy Wine Trails