Since 1992

Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Wineries of the Oliver City Region


Bartier Bros

4821 Ryegrass Rd.
Oliver, British Columbia




Brother Don and Michael Bartier were born in the Okanagan. They came home joined forces and opened the Bartier Bros winery in Summerland. They have a small vineyard and use the facilities at the Crush Pad.

Michael is a well know winemaker in the Okanagan. Michael's winemaking experience was launched by making wine at the Okanagan's Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards (See Ya Later Ranch). From there he took university courses a UC Davis and Washington State University. He followed that with an apprenticeship with Australia's celebrated Hardys winemaker. On his return to Canada, Michael made wine at Township 7, Stag's Hollow and Road 13 Vineyards. He is also head winemaker at the Okanagan Crush Pad.

Don a successful businessman runs the business side of the winery

Michael's winemaking philosophy is simple:

  1. Plant the correct grapes on the correct site.
  2. Farm these well, thinking of the vineyard as a 200-year project.
  3. Take the good fruit into the cellar, and make sure the vineyard characters, not the winemaker's manipulations, make it to the glass.
  4. Don't try to copy Napa, or Bordeaux, or Burgundy; make Okanagan wine. These places make beautiful wines, but they're different from what the Okanagan gives, and they don't have the privilege of working with Okanagan grapes.

Winemaker: Michael Bartier





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.




Dark Horse Vineyards

7857 Tucelnuit Drive,
Oliver, BC



 

The winery is owned by Arterra Canada . The vineyards, 23 acres, was first planted in the 1970s. In 1988 former owner Alan Tyabji had everything pulled out and replaced with Vinifera Bordeaux varieties. Resulting 40 years of award winning wines.

The vineyard sits on the west side of the valley, at a 350m elevation or 65m above the valley floor, keeping it frost-free with natural air drainage.

The wines are made at their Inniskillin Facilities






Granite Bluff Estate Winery

93 Secrest Hill Road
Oliver, British Columbia

 




A new winery not as yet fully developed north of Oliver.


Winemaker:



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.



Kismet Estate Winery

9580 Road 20,
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0



Kismet Estate Winery


The winery is owned by Balwinder Dhaliwal and Sukhwinder Dhaliwal. The business started over twenty years ago growning grapes for others before deciding to produce their own wines. they have vineyard locations starting from North of Oliver to the south of Osoyoos. Each vineyard location has been chosen extensively and carefully to produce the best quality of grapes.
In total they have 200 acres producing 1200 cases

The name Kismet is derived from the Punjabi word 'destiny'. 

A wine shop opened in 2014 at their Oliver location on the Golden Mile.

Kismet Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve award in 2016 The Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines


Winemaker: Richard Kanazawa 
Philosophy: We would like to deliver wines that offer more than a price point and over delivers on its price point.




Gadzook Vinery


4522 Highway 97
Oliver, British Columbia V0H1T1

 

The winery is owned by the Everrt Family, who entered the BC Wine Industry in 2020 with the acquisition of three South Okanagan vineyards. They also own Uppercase winery loctaed in the District Village.

Bert Evertt has had his sights on the BC wine industry for decades. In his youth, as an accomplished opera singer, Bert was afforded the opportunity to travel across Europe, where he developed an appreciation for fine wine. Over the last 40 years, his focus has been on providing the highest level of care at retirement homes throughout British Columbia’s Lower Mainland.

During summer vacations in Osoyoos with his wife and three children, Bert slowly began to search for vineyards that represented the best of the Okanagan Valley. After extensively evaluating vineyards with consulting winemaker and viticulturist Pascal Madevon, Bert purchased 20 acres on the Black Sage Bench. Uppercase was born.






La Casa Bianca Winery

7249 BC-97
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0




Home of Unique wines

After falling in love with the Okanagan during a vacation Noel Berkland and his Linda bought a organic lavender farm south of Oliver in 2006. Noel and Linda are from South Africa who loved to travel the world.

Planting began in 2009 chose primarily Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with just a few rows of Pinot Gris. Adrain believes in the reds. The winery is named after daughter Bianca and their white home.


They are licensed to do Grape, Fruit, Nut (Vin de Noix) and Herbal Wines (Wine with herbal benefits) – and some Mead in the near future – as our bees are such an integral part of our farm!

They produce dandelion and walnut wine.


Winemaker:





Maverick Estate Winery

29686 Highway 97
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

This very popular and well respect winery is owned by partners Jan Nelson and winemaker Andrew Windsor

The name Maverick was chosen to reflect the owners’ style – going their own way, doing their own thing, not following the flow. They are unique in their attitude and their wines. Maverick Estate Winery’s emblem is inspired by the pictographs drawn on cave walls in South Africa, the winery founders’ home country, and by pictographs found in the Okanagan. The emblem represents the enthusiastically unconventional free thinker. Whether in ancient times or today, Mavericks are not afraid to forge their own path and stay true to what they believe in. ‘We are mavericks: uncompromising in our pursuit and unrestrained in our enjoyment of exceptional wine.’


Jan Nelson grew up in Oliver, and after 25 years abroad, returned to raise his family in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Winemaker Andrew Windsor was drawn to the Okanagan after many years abroad making wine to make some of the most exciting wines in Canada.

The estate vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. The winery’s three vineyards in sunny Osoyoos supply the rest of Maverick’s estate fruit. Maverick is planting 25 acres of grapes on the side of the mountain just to the south of the Winery in 2022 and 2023.

Signature wines are Ella sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Bush Vine Syrah and Rebeus, a Bordeaux blend with a dash of Syrah. Maverick’s portfolio also features innovation wines that highlight experiments in the cellar that deserve to be celebrated in their own right.



Pipe Dreams Vineyard and Estate Winery

168 Sportsman Bowl Road
Oliver, British Columbia

The winery is owned by John Ness who bought the property in 2009. It is located on the north west side of Oliver. The name of this winery comes from a question that John Ness, the owner, asked himself when launching the project: is it a big dream, or just a pipe dream?

After childhood summers with his family experiencing the Okanagan, John formed a lifelong dream to return and live among grapevines.Throwing caution to the wind, he moved to Oliver in 2009 to bring his dream to life. He secured prime grape growing land and planted some less-common-in-BC varietals, ones that are best suited to the site including Kerner, Zweigelt, Gamay and Grüner Veltliner.

consulting winemaker is Mark Wendenburg. John chose varieties outside the mainstream of Okanagan plantings: Grüner Veltliner, Kerner, Gamay Noir and Zweigelt. 

Pipe Dream produces a very nice Grüner Veltliner

Winemaker:




Prospect of the Okanagan


Oliver, B.C.

 

Prospect is a virtual winery using the facilities of Mission Hll to produce the wines. Originally the wines were names Ganton and Larsen Prospect winey but was renamed. It is the largest virtual winery in the province.

The wines are priced low but has the quaility of fine wines Corrie Krehbielis the winemaker. She grew up in the Okanagan Valley, and is the 4th generation of a family of Okanagan fruit farmers.

They use age-old winemaking and viticulture techniques, coupled with modern technology, such as drone-assisted harvesting and optical grape sorting to deliver outstanding quality





River Stone Estate Winery


143 Buchanan Drive
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0



 

A small, family owned and operated by Ted and Lorraine Kane.  Located on a small knoll in the middle of the valley, just south of the well recognized McIntyre Bluff and just north of Oliver. The winery tasting room and the families' home is surrounded by vineyards.

The winery name, River Stone, and vineyard name, River Rock Vineyards indicates the vines come from the deep rock and gravel soils laid down following the last glacial recession. They grow five red Bordeaux varietals; Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot as well as two white varietals; Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. Long sunlit summer days followed by fall’s warm days and cool nights have consistently produced premium quality fruit.

Prior to starting the vineyard, Ted was a Respiratory Therapist for 12 years, but has always been interested in and obsessed with winemaking and grape-growing. Ted’s dreams and attention to detail are evident in every aspect of the winery, from the vineyard layout, to the house construction, to the flavours in the wine.

Lorraine is the co-owner, but like many wives on family farms, has a town job. Lorraine is a rural family doctor in the nearby community of Osoyoos

It all started with a passion for winemaking and the love of all things technical. I started making wine at the age of 19. I soon realized that the best wines came from the best grapes and ventured out to find this quality fruit. My quest led me to the deep south of BC to Oliver and arguably the best grape growing region of Canada. Over time, I came to develop a particular affinity for the Bordeaux red varietals and the wines being produced in a new world style. These are rich in color and texture and bold in fruit flavours.

Winemaker Ted Kane




Second Chapter Vineyards

510 Tinhorn Creek Rd
Oliver, BC - V0H1T1



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The Pullen family were the one time owers of Church and State wineries before selling out. This is their second adventure into the winery business. Phil Glazebrook is the winemaker with consultant Pascal Madevon.

The winery bottles some of its wines under the Compass Label. The vineyard was planted in Cabernet Franc and will produce about 350 cases when it is first harvested in 2020. It’s gently sloped eastward, with a dense rocky soil. The site had been left fallow for 24 years, and through extensive soil sampling we went with a blend of Clone 214 and Clone 327 Cab Franc as most suited to this unique site


Winemaker:




Silver Sage Winery

4852 Ryegrass Rd
Oliver, B.C. Canada V0H 1T1




Silver Sage Winery was established by Anna and Victor Manola. Set on the bank of Oxbow Creek, which meanders gently through the vineyard, Silver Sage offers a picturesque view of the surrounding mountains and countryside.

The winery is located in the Okanagan Valley, more precisely in Oliver, BC, in the Golden Mile region, which is well known for its rich soils and warm microclimate.

In 1996 the dream became a reality. They purchased 25 acres of land near Oliver, BC, and with a lot of hard work, love, and passion, it became an established vineyard. A tragic accident took Victor away from Anna on November 10, 2002, but Anna and the family have carried on to fulfill the family tradition and dream.


Winemaker: Anna Manola
Philosophy:




Ursa Major Estate Winery

4078 Black Sage Rd,
Oliver, BC V0H 1T0



 

Rajen Toor is the owner and half of the winemaking team at Ursa Major Wines. His family owns  Desert Hills, where he is also the assistant winemaker. The name comes from the Ursa Major constellation (the Great Bear constellation).

The winery project began as a conversion to organic growing, sustainable cellar practices, and the open mind to experiment and play with the varietals that they have been growing for 25 years.




Vasanti Estate Winery

7222 BC 97
Oliver, British Columbia

 




The winery is owned by the Sidhu Family, three brothers. They have 3vineyards located in Oliver and 2 in Osoyoos The three brothers are Vik,Davinder and Gordie. The family brings with then 20 years experience of growing grapes.

 Vasanti, derived from the Punjabi language, represents new beginnings and renewal
Winemaker: Jason Parkes




VinAmite Cellars

5381 Highway 97
Oliver, V0H 1T1

 



 


Oliver's VinAmite Cellars opened in 2015, a small lots winery with no plans of growing beyond 3,000 cases in the near future, starting with baby steps as we evolve our vision and points of differentiation . The name means Hiding in plain sight and can also be translated into Lost Wine

There has been a vineyard in this location for many years this vineyard sold its grapes to well-known wineries throughout the Okanagan Valley at a crucial time of the wine industry's development into what it is today, only to be 'lost' in other winemakers' blends, lost in blends from its own terroir of unique taste and sense of identity.

Chardonnay grows at the bottom of the hill by the highway working its way up hill which is shared between the Gamay Noir and Pinot Gris. AT the top surrounding the winery is the Cabernet Sauvignon.

A family affair, partnered by Ray and Wendy Coulombe and their two equally committed daughters, Catherine and Nathalie Coulombe.

A Salmon-Safe Winery


Winemaker:
Philosophy:




Winemaker's Cut

3828 Okanagan Highway
Oliver, British Columbia

Winemakers Cut is the brand name of winemaker Michal Mosny. Who launched Winemaker’s CUT wines in 2017 (2016 was the first vintage for Syrah). Like a director’s cut, an edited version of a film that represents the director’s unique point of view, Winemaker’s Cut is the winemaker’s unique styling of an Okanagan wine. Through traditional winemaking methods the wines develop naturally and express the characteristics indicative of the Okanagan Valley vineyard. Paying homage to the vineyards environmental conditions including soil type and seasonal climate allows the winemaker to capture a moment in time, cut from vineyard vine.

Plans:  Michal's plan is to produce limited quantity of premium wines from premium vineyard. Wines that represents Okanagan in natural and little more artistic way.

The vineyard is located at Deadman Lake. The vineyard is located between Oliver and Osoyoos, British Columbia. Situated on the western side of the valley this vineyard lies 100 meters south-west of Deadman Lake and roughly 1200 meters north of the renown Spotted Lake.

Winemaker Michal Mosny

Winemaking Philosophy: Naturally, Sustainability, Hand sorting, Skin contact, Low pressure pressing, Barrel aging, Slovakian, American and French Oak Vineyard & size: 3.5 acre vineyard, Syrah, CabFrank, SauvBlanc




Please see:

Golden Mile Wineries

Black Sage Road Wineries

 

~ Osoyoos Lake Bench ~ The Golden Mile ~ Similkameen Valley ~ Okanagan Falls ~ Skaha Lake
~ Naramata Bench Summerland and Peachland ~ Mount Boucherie ~ Kelowna and Lake Country
~ Northern ~ Kootenays ~ Thompson River Valley ~ Black Sage

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