Wineries The Golden Mile

Cassini Cellars Winery

32056 Highway 97
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

After falling in love with the Okanagan during a vacation Adrian Capeneata and his wife bought a organic lavender farm south of Oliver in 2006. Planting began in 2009 chose primarily Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with just a few rows of Pinot Gris. Adrain believes in the reds

Consultant Phil Soo was hired to make their first wines.

The winery has a strong visible presence on the Golden Mile Cassini built a a large tasting room with a 10-metre (33-foot) bar long enough for 25 visitors to be served at once. Windows on two walls give guests a view of the barrel cellar and the tank cellar.

signature wine Maximus a red blend

Winemaker: Phil Soo

 

Castoro de Oro Estate Winery

4004 Highway 97
Oliver, BC V0H 1T1

Bruno Kelle and Stella Schmidt believe they found a diamond in the rough when they located their winery on the Golden Mile south of Oliver. The couple fell in love with the wine region while touring the area in 2005. When Bruno was asked if he was interested in purchasing anything he responded by saying “Yes, your winery” The very nice lady informed him that it wasn't for sale but that another winery was. At that point it was just a joke but they did go look at the winery for sale. By the time their mini vacation was over they we were excitedly discussing the possibilities and potential of being winery owners. They continued to pursue the idea and soon purchased their winery. The property (7.4 acres) with a great slope, wonderful soil for grapes and no frost will provide excellent grapes for producing wine.

Name changes from Golden Beaver to Castoro de Oro Estate Winery in 2011 . It was the prospect of oro - gold, which prompted settlement of early Canada. As prospectors carved the mountainsides, one of nature's most intelligent creatures, castoro - beaver, built dams, flooding and ultimately creating rich agricultural soil. The beaver's ability to make changes to the landscape is secondary only to man. Canada recognizes this noble creature as the emblem of national sovereignty. The handcrafted Castoro de Oro Estate Wines reflect the natural flavours of our terroir and are a tribute to our country.

A true family winery, their son helps with making the unique wines. They produce 14-16 small batch handcrafted wines per year. A comfortable patio with picnic tables provides a spectacular view of the Okanagan Valley.

Signature wine: Unique Vin de Cure' in both Red - Merlot and White – Vidal or Pinot Blanc

Winemakers: Bruno Kelle, Stella Schmidt 
Philosophy: Make spectacular wine from hand picked, hand sorted grapes.

Chandra Estate Winery

RR1 Site 62, Comp. 22
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Owner Dave Dhillon chose the name Chandra as a reflection of his winemaking philosophy and culture. Its meaning is twofold. Chandra, derived from the Hindi language, (the ‘a' is pronounced as a short vowel ‘u') means ‘moon god'. From a spiritual perspective, ancient Hindu myth states that the moon stores Soma (an ancient drink and lunar deity), which was said to be the elixir of immortality consumed by the gods themselves. The moon is said to wane because the gods are drinking away some of its properties and, wax when the gods are not.

Situated on 10 acres of land on Oliver's historic ‘Golden Mile', family owned and operated, Ecovitis Vineyard and Chandra Estate Winery officially opened its doors on September 3, 2008 . Half of the acreage had been planted 12 years ago with Merlot, Pinot Noir, Blaufrankisch, and Chardonnay varietals, so the vineyard was in its maturity stages; however, the other 5 remained barren. Given the Okanagan's favourable terroir and climate, Chandra imported Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc varietals from France and planted the other five.

Chandra Estate Winery and Ecovitis Vineyard Ltd. is a family owned and operated winery committed to excellence an environmental sustainability. Signature wines are Chardonnay, Red Fusion, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir Rose, Merlot, Pinot Blanc

Winemakers: Allan Marcus and Josh Scott
Philosophy: Great wines begin with the land, which is why our vineyards are certified organic. Knowing that conventional agricultural practices have stripped the soil of vital minerals, we grow grapes the way nature intended—free from insecticides, fumigants, and herbicides.

 

Fairview Cellars Winery

RR1, S66, C15
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Fairview Cellar's 2.4 hectares is located between the driving range and the first hole of the Fairview Mountain Golf Course at the north end of the Golden Mile in Oliver. The vineyard and winery is a culmination of a 25 year quest by Bill Eggert to own and operate his own winery. Fairview Cellars wines consist of the three Bordeaux classics; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Fairview also has a very small planting of Gamay and Shiraz The wines are barrel aged in an underground cellar then blended to marry the various attributes of each grape.

Bill also has two smaller plots south of Vaseux Lake. His wines are bold and sturdy in structure they age well.

The wine shop opened on May 5 of the year 2000. Try their Cabernet Merlot blend. Hours of operation will be 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Come enjoy the wines of Fairview Cellars "FROM THE HEART...FOR THE HEART"

Winemaker: Bill Eggert
Philosophy: My wine is grown in the vineyard and it is the vineyards secrets

 

Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery

Road 8, RR1, Site 23, Comp 4
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Gehringer Brothers' dream of an estate winery was conceived in the year 1973. After high school, Walter Gehringer went to West Germany. There he acquired their fine wine-making skills. After five years he graduated from the world renowned University of Geisenheim with an engineering degree in viticulture and oceanology. His brother Gordon also spent four years in West Germany acquiring the wine master's art, graduating with a degree from Weinsberg. The present buildings were built in 1985 the same year as their first vintage.

The wineries cellars are built either into or beneath the hillside They produce over 30,00 cases each year. The estate vineyards have 10,5 hectares. They produce mostly white wines such as Riesling, Auxerrios and Ehrenfelser in an off dry german style. In 1996 they bought Dry Rock Vineyards located right next door. This vineyard is planted with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Their labels include Dry Rock Vineyards and Optimum .

Winemakers: Walter and Gordon Gehringer:
Philosophy: In the fall the grapes are pressed and a portion of the juice is stored fresh and fermented. Before bottling in the spring,we blend the unfermented juice which has retained its rich flavor,back into the dry wine. This results in the varietal fruit flavours components being combined with the developed wine, yielding a complex full-bodied wine.

 

Hester Creek Estate Winery

13163—326th Avenue(at Road 8)
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Hester Creek Estate Winery is situated within some of British Columbia’s oldest vineyards in the bountiful Golden Mile region. The 95-acre, Mediterranean-influenced grounds, winery, and guest villas evoke an old-world sense of tranquility that take you back to a more simple, unhurried era: a time when a young girl named Hester pondered life and daydreamed by the edge of the creek that would later take her name. The winery is owned by Curt Garland.

Hester Creek's vineyard is just south of Oliver on a spectacular piece of benchland referred to as the Golden Mile. This benchland is considered to be the best grape-growing area in the Okanagan Valley. The vineyard is planted mainly with Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Trebbiano. Future planting will include Gamay. Hester Creek has 83 acres of agricultural land, of which 75 are under vine. Trebbiano Dry is one of their most noted wines

Although the winery is among the Okanagan's oldest it has a new wine shop and tasting room for visitors to enjoy. There is a relaxing patio and a guest villa. Also a new 23,000 square foot state-of-the-art wine producing facility. The 35,000 case capacity winery for crush 2009 is partially buried in the hill to take advantage of the natural temperature control of the earth and thereby reduce the need for energy. The cellar room is completely underground and the site’s natural vegetation has been restored on the top of the building.

Signature Wines: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Trebbiano
Unique Offerings: Trebbiano, Late Harvest Pinot Blanc, Double Magnum Cabernet Sauvignon,

Winemaker: Robert Summers
Winemaking Philosophy: strict attention to detail and quality produces truly superior wines. Only fully mature and healthy fruit arrives at the crushing platform, and the best French and American oak barrels are used in the fermenting and aging processing to bottling is performed meticulously and the utmost care is used in the fermenting of our wines.

Inniskillin Okanagan

Road II, R.R.#1 S24, C5
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

the winery is a partnership between Inniskillin and the Inkameep Indian Band. The band has 265 acres of premium Vitis vinifera grapes.

Inniskillin Okanagan vinified its first vintage in 1994 producing 3,300 cases of VQA Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Icewine. Current production is about 20,000 cases of VQA wines annually. Winemaker and general manager Sandor Mayer has worked with Inniskillin since 1990. Winemaking

Dark Horse Estate: Inniskillin's 23 acre 'Dark Horse' Estate Vineyard is located on the western slope of the valley. north of the Osoyoos Lake.

Bull Pine Vineyard: Along picturesque mountain slopes that stretch up to 200 feet above Osoyoos Lake in the southern-most tip of the Okanagan Valley, BC, thousands of new vines are starting to grow. The first single vineyard has been named the Bull Pine Estate Vineyard. The Osoyoos Lake area enjoys high heat during the day balanced by the nighttime cooling effect of the lake, providing optimum conditions for vine growth and grape ripening.

The winery is a heritage property that has been completely updated . The original owners tunneled 11 horizontal wine tanks into the hillside. which (we believe) makes them the only winery to still use horizontal tanks.

Winemaker: Sandor Mayer
Philosophy: Making world class wines,distinct wine styles, Quality wine comes from vineyard and winemaking-an unbreakable marriage.

Intersection Winery

9736 326th Avenue
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Bruce Schmidt born and raised in Kelowna, worked in the wine and spirits division of Nabisco Brands Canada and was responsible for the national marketing for Calona Wines, then one of the industry leaders. This is where he developed his interest in wine and the Okanagan wine industry. He started his own marketing and venture capital consulting firm in 1987, one of the clients he helped raise capital for was Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars

In 2002 Bruce began the search of his own winery purchasing properly in 2007. The winery is located at one of the larger ‘intersections' on Highway 97 thus the name Intersection., however we also feel that this project is truly an “intersection” of lifestyle, quality experiences, great food and friends (who like decent wine). It's all about honest wine at a decent price that we are proud to share with friends and family. Intersection is the brand name the holding company  is Parallel 49 Vineyards

The property now has 20,000 closely-packed vines on four hectares (10 acres). Half of the vines are red varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Franc) and the other half are whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Riesling). Wine production began in the 2009 vintage under the hand of consulting
winemaker Philip Soo. The wineries direction is to produce relatively small amounts of premium red and whites aimed at the wine enthusiast.

Signature wines are 100% unfiltered Merlot, 2. White blend that is Viognier based.


Winemaker Dylan Roche
Philosophy: Grow great grapes and stay out of their way as much as possible. Touch them as little as possible by eliminating unnecessary bruising and pumping.

Maverick Estate Winery

29686 Highway 97
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Dr Schalk De Witt came to Canada from South Africa. He invested in two Okanagan properties for vineyards. His daughter her childhood friend Bertus Albertyn who grew up to be a winemaker. With a winemaker as a son inlaw Dr Schalk knew he need to start a winery.

Prior to Maverick Bertus is also Burrowing Owl’s winemaker as production at Maverick is currently 500 cases. The Highway 97 vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and a little Chardonnay. The other property, which has just enough water to support six hectares (15 acres) of vines, will be planted in 2012 with similar varieties

Winemaker: Bertus Albertyn

 

Opened in 2006 by Gian Dhaliwal and his son, Ravi, who operate a roadside orchard and fruit market. The orchard primarily grows apples, along with cherries and other tree fruits. For some time, the Dhaliwal family has sold its fruits and vegetables at what they called the Sunshine Valley Fruit. It is currently the only cidery in the Okanagan south

Situated between Oliver and Osoyoos, right off of Highway 97, Orchard Hill provides safe and easy access to all of its customers

They offer three ciders; Okanagan Bubbly a light semi-sweet and fruity, Extra Dry a sparkling cider and Summer Sipper a medium dry sparkling apple cider with slightly more complexity than Okanagan Bubbly.

Road 13 Vineyards

799 Ponderosa Road
Road 13 RR#1 S28A C4
Oliver BC, V0H 1T0

A small farm winery operated by the Luckhurst family (Pam and Mick) who purchased the winery in 2003. The property came with a vineyard, a winery and a name: Golden Mile Cellars. Since then, the Luckhursts and their winemaking team have come to understand the significance and value that the term "Golden Mile" has to the wineries located in the area along Highway 97, between Fairview and Road 18. As a renewed commitment to their land and to return the name "Golden Mile" to the region, Golden Mile Cellars has proudly become Road 13 Vineyards - a name chosen to evoke a sense of place. Signature wines: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,

The winery now focus on Blends Stemwinder (a white blend) and Rockpile (a red blend) Fifth Element (red), Honest John’s White and Honest John’s Red. Their motto, "it's all about the dirt" reflects their belief that great wines start in the vineyard.


Winemaker J-M (Jean-Martin) Bouchard
Philosophy: "Winemaking is about creating a final bottle that, when opened, conveys a sense of place. "This is a special patch of dirt. I want our wines to reflect that."

Rustico Farm & Cellars

31238 123 rd Street
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Bruce Fuller and partners launched the winery in 2009 as Canada's most romantic winery. The property was originally a miners residence build in the late 1800's. called Tikio Bunkhouse

Located on a gently sloping hill facing south-east, with mountainsides to the immediate south and west behind , the Rustico vineyards capture the first magical rays of early morning sun and never let them go until much later in the day As the property was also previous operating as a winery there are some old vine vineyards producing Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chancellor grapes

Signature WInes are Farmer's Daughter Dry Gewürztraminer, Isabella's Poke Pinot Gris, Mother Lode Merlot, Doc's Buggy Pinot Noir and a blend Last Chance .

Winemakers: Bruce Fuller
Philosophy:

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

Box 2010
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

Nestled on the hillside of a former gold mining creek, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards sits unrivalled on top of the "Golden Mile" in Oliver, "the Wine Capital of Canada", and offers a truly unique wine experience. Tinhorn Creek is rapidly establishing themselves as one of the premiere wineries in BC. Winemaker Sandra Oldfield CEO and Kenn Oldfield (chairman) have created a winery worthy visiting. Visitors will find a lush vineyard with views of the grape crush pad, and impressive interior galleries overlooking the stainless steel tanks, oak barrels and cellar.

Tinhorn Creek the first carbon neutral winery in Canada as well as the first winery in British Columbia to receive a certificate of recognition for its vigorous health and safety program.

Winemaker: Sandra Oldfield assistant winemaker Korol Kuklo
Philosophy:To produce only premium vinifera-based red and white table wines by focusing on tightly controlled, low cropping,viticultural practices.

Willow Hills Wines

Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

A small winery that exclusively produces icewines, owned by Lanny Swanky and Patricia Venables They have taken the challenge of producing Merlot icewine. Their first vintage was in 2001.

Lanny and Patricia took over the dome-shaped Willow Hill property in 1997. Then raw land, it is well located beside the road to the Gehringer Brothers and Hester Creek wineries. Their target
is to produce a total of about 5,000 half bottles a year while selling the
rest of the vineyard’s grapes to other wineries.

Winemaker Lanny Swanky