Wineries of the Kootenay Region

Baille- Grohman Estate Winery

1140 27th Avenue South
Creston, BC V0B 1G1

Bob Johnston and Petra Flaa from Calgary spent numerous vacations in the valley before purchasing a Cherry farm. They soon discovered that wines last longer and purchased in 2006 property next to Skimmerhorn Winery. Their first vintage was 2009.

The winery name celebrates William Baillie-Grohman, a pioneer who arrived in the Creston Valley in 1882 to hunt mountain goats (there is one on the wine labels), and spent the next 30 years diverting rivers, reclaim land and bringing in settlers before retiring in his native Britain.

The vineyards main grape is Pinot Noir. Thay also produce Pinot Gris , Chardonnay,Sauvignon Blanc, ans Schonburger and Kerner for icewine.

Winemaker Dan Barker

The first winery located in Kootenays opened in the fall of 2001. The winery is owned and operated by the Bryden and Wallace families. Currently there are 7 acres of vines. The winery selectively produces few wines seeking quality over quantity. Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch, Gewürztraminer and unoaked Chardonnay are the wines produced.

The tasting room along with a gift shop are located in a log cabin. Author John Schreiner writes; the charm of the Columbia wine shop surprises first time visitors who do not expect a tasting room with sophisticated decor this far off the beaten path. Signature wine – Garden Gold blended white wine

  Winemaker: Lawrence Wallace
  Philosophy: Produce VQA quality wines and to remain a family winery producing limited quantities of fine wines

 

A small family owned and operated winery, located in the beautiful Kootenay River Valley of south-central British Columbia. Paul Koodrin runs the blueberry farm and winery. The rich, unique flavours of Heron Ridge wines are achieved through careful, measured blending of two varieties of blueberry - the sweet Northland and the small ultra-sweet Stanley

Winemaker: Paul Koodrin

After 20 years of successfully running a family orchard, Al and Marleen Hoag  took the plunge and opened a winery. The winery is named after the Skimmerhorn Mountains, part of the Purcell Mountain Range, which borders the eastern edge of the Creston Valley.*

Their 14 acres produces a varietal range which includes Pinot Gris, Ortega, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch. For a relaxing, intimate lunch or small group gathering the Bistro at the Vineyards provides an idyllic setting; it is open from mid May until mid October, reservations are recommended.

Since the New Zealand South Island and Creston have similar climates the Hoags visited in 2006 and while there found and hired winemaker Mark Rattray to help get them get started in their new adventure.

Winemaker: Mark Rattray
Philosophy:  Our wines reflect our terroir