Wonders of Wine and Food

Wineries of the Shuswap

Back in the lat 90's and early 2000 Larch Hills winery in Salmon Arm was impressing the Okganagan wine lovers with their wines. Especially their Ortega. Recline Ridge Vineyards was also a winery near by making strides in cool climate grape growing. Today we hear very little about the wines from the Northern Shuswap area. Despite the fact that there are now 10 wineries listed for the area.

There use to be elven but a fire at Granite Creek Estate Winery but them out of business. I made some attempts to contact Baccata Ridge Winery in Grindrod but was unable to make contact.

Celista Winery located in Celista BC claims to be CAnada's most northern winery. They seem to be the most successfull winery in the Shuswap today collecting over 20 international awards in the last four years. The winery is owned by JAck and Margaret Ootes. They grow Maréchal Foch, Ortega, Madeleine Sylvaner, Madeleine Angevine, Gewürztraminer and a small quantity of St. Laurent. Hans Nevrkla award winning winemaker and founder of Larch Hills Winery was hired as consultant and winemaker.

Off the beaten path is Edge of Earth Vineyards located in Spallumcheen. Due to the windy country road one has to reach the winery owners Russ and Marnie Niles renamed the winery Edge of the Earth Vineyard. It was formally called Hunting Hawk Vineyards. They welcome visitors year round. They produce a Argus wine.

Recline Ridge was one of the more successful wineries in the Shuswap. Unfortunately a fire destroyed their winemaking facilities. Last I spoke with them they were not going to rebuild. We hope they will reconsider and continue to operate.

Larch Hills Winery has one of the most beautiful locations. Once you reach the vineyard you drive through a single car lane between the vines to reach the winery that over looks the valley. Hans Nevrkla award winning winemaker was the original founder of the winery he sold to the current owners.

One name that does pop up now and then is OVINO Winery located on the out skirts of Salmon Arms. The winery is owned by
John and Catherine Koopmans. Signature wine is estate Foch-Pinot Meunier blend

Recline Ridge Vineyards extends over 7.5 acres and hosts nine different varieties of grapes. Their unique post and beam log building is 3,300 total square feet on three levels and will house both the winemaking facility and a wine shop and tasting area. The winery overlooks the vineyard framed by Tappen Mountain and the Tappen and Similkameen Valleys. The winery was purchased in 2010 by Graydon and Maureen Ratzlaff. I have tasted a few of their wines They are quite good.

One of BC's newest wineries in the Shuswap Sunnybrae Vineyards and Winery owned by Barry and Nancy Turner. They run a true family winery receiving help from their daughters and grandchildren.
The winery has a beautiful location. From the tasting room's balcony you see Shuswap lake . From the front door you se the vineyards and Bastion Mountain. They produce some rather good wines.