Explore One of the Okanagan’s Most Distinguished Wine Regions at BC Wine Studio
Perched in the hills that overlook the tranquil waters of Vaseux Lake lies a little-known Okanagan treasure. This small expanse of rolling hills is one of only five places in all the Okanagan Valley to be declared a sub-appellation, a place whose unique geography produces wines of such character and quality it warrants distinction. And nestled among these hills amid a rolling sea of vines you’ll find BC Wine Studio, a truly different winery showcasing the very best of the wines from this very special corner of the Okanagan.
A New Wine Experience
BC Wine Studio began in 2012 when owner Stephen Carter sought to create a wine experience unlike anything else he’d seen in the Okanagan. The studio and crush pad house a considerable number of independently run boutique wineries from across the Okanagan, allowing guests to literally taste the entire valley from a single tasting room! Guests would be advised to specifically seek out the studio’s flagship label, Carter Wines: an award-winning portfolio of both red and white wines produced entirely from grapes grown exclusively on this historic estate, each one perfectly illustrating a distinguished flavour profile unique to the harvests of these rocky hills.
This exquisite series, along with its sister series Hawk’s Nest, which is made from Okanagan grapes grown outside the Okanagan Falls sub-appellation (a perfect comparison for those still doubting the impact locality has on their wines), is handcrafted by head winemaker Valerie Tremblay, who is also the head viticulturalist and cellar master for the Studio. Tremblay mastered winemaking right here in the Okanagan and takes great pride in working to develop an iconic Okanagan style of winemaking by leaning into and showcasing the common characteristics and flavour profiles of grapes grown in the Okanagan Valley. To help ensure this, she employs a practice of bio-diversified agriculture, a practice with many similarities to organic farming, and seeks to maintain greater biodiversity in the vineyard so that the winery’s agricultural practices have a minimal impact on the local ecology.
Newly Renovated Tasting Room Open
And just in time for the harvest, BC Wine Studio’s newly renovated tasting room is opening this fall! Those looking to do a tasting of the Studio’s considerably diverse wine portfolio can easily book an appointment by texting Val at (250) 689-7980.
2016 Carter Wines Pinot Noir
Even before Okanagan Falls was granted status as a sub-appellation, it was long rumoured to produce the Okanagan’s finest pinot noirs, and this particular vintage is a strong example of why this belief is still held by many. Unmistakable flavours of cherries are softened by smooth hints of vanilla, with just a hint of raspberry rounding off the finish. A perfect pairing for that Thanksgiving dinner that’s just around the corner!