We’re doing it again! Last year’s BC Wine: Spring Release Guide was such a hit, we had to repeat it this year! I’m pleased to present the Ultimate Guide to BC Wine: 2021 Spring Releases!
You’ll notice this year’s guide is organized by month, which is different than last year. I’ve also separated each of the regions, which are linked in the menu below and anchored. That means when you click on a desired region, it’ll take you directly to the list of wineries you’re looking for.
I should also mention that release dates are not guaranteed. Bottling dates could shift and delays might happen. Please confirm exact dates with the winery if you’re looking to make an order. This guide is here to … guide. We’re simply providing a window for when your favourite BC wines will be available for sale.
One final note… if you rep a BC winery and don’t see your wines listed, let me know. Send an email to nicole@socialsips.ca so that I can add you.
| Fraser Valley | Kootenays | Lillooet | Okanagan (A-H) | Okanagan (I-Q) | Okanagan (R-Z) | Shuswap | Similkameen Valley | Thompson Valley | Vancouver Island |
Fraser Valley
The outskirts of Vancouver is home to several wineries throughout the Fraser Valley. From Richmond’s urban jungle to Abbotsford’s farmland, each winery is unique in its own right and worth a visit.
| March | |
|---|---|
| Blackwood Lane | Late Harvest Viognier 2019 Cab Merlot 2017 Alliance Bordeaux Blend 2015 |
Kootenays
It takes some effort to get to the southeastern corner of BC, but the wineries here make the journey worthwhile. Among the vines, you’ll find glistening rivers and lakes with views of snow-capped mountains.
| March | April | June | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baillie-Grohman | Florence Rosé 2020 Récolte Blanche 2020 | Pinot Gris 2020 Pinot Noir 2019 | Gewürztraminer 2020 |
Lillooet
Lillooet often finds itself vying for ‘Canada’s Hottest Spot’ against Lytton and Osoyoos. However, the region has cool nights making it a perfect spot for growing grapes. The contrast in temperatures allows for grapes to retain their natural acidity – a marked trait of Lillooet wine.
| April | |
|---|---|
| Fort Berens | Riesling 2020 Dry Riesling 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 Gruner Valtliner 2020 Camels White Blend Rosé 2020 |
Okanagan Valley A-H
With several distinct growing areas spanning the 250 kilometre valley, the Okanagan is the province’s most notable and illustrious region. You’ll find aromatic whites growing in northern and central spots like Lake Country and Kelowna while Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, among other red varieties, are more often found in vineyards in southern areas such as Oliver and Osoyoos.
| March | April | May | June | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowleaf | Pinot Noir 2019 | Bacchus 2020 Rosé 2020 Zweigelt 2020 | ||
| Black Market Wine Co. | Omerta Rosé 2020 | |||
| Black Market Wine Co. (Secret Society) | White 2020 Red 2019 Frizzante NV | |||
| Black Market Wine Co. (Unsanctioned Series) | Cabernet Franc 2018 Pinot Blanc 2019 | Bacchus 2020 | Merlot 2018 | |
| Coolshanagh | Reserve Chardonnay 2017 Chardonnay 2018 | |||
| D’Angelo | Gewurztraminer 2019 Viognier 2019 Vino D’Casa Bianca NV | |||
| Daydreamer Wines | Riesling 2020 Rosé 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 Sparkling Shiraz 2019 Cuvée 2019 Jasper 2019 (Bordeaux blend) | |||
| Dirty Laundry | Hush 2019 Reserve Chardonnay 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 | Pinot Noir 2019 | Pinot Gris 2020 Dangerous Liaison 2020 | |
| Evolve Cellars | Rosé 2020 Spontaneity 2020 Momento 2018 Riesling 2018 | |||
| Hello Someday | Riesling 2020 |
Okanagan Valley (I-Q)
| March | April | May | June | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitsch | Maria’s Block Riesling 2019 Rosé 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 | |||
| Lakeside Cellars | Bubbles 2020 (Sauvignon Blanc) | Rosé 2020 Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Portage White 2020 | ||
| LaStella | LaStellina 2020 Vivace Pinot Grigio 2020 | |||
| Le Vieux Pin | Vaïla Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Syrah Cuvée Violette 2019 Petit Blanc 2020 | |||
| Maverick | Rosé 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Renegade 2018 Blush Cider 2020 Provenance Pinot Noir 2019 Original Cider 2020 | |||
| Mayhem Wines | Pinot Gris 2020 Gewürztraminer 2020 Riesling 2020 Rosé 2020 Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 (can) Rosé 2020 (can) | |||
| Meyer Family Vineyards | Okanagan Valley Chardonnay 2020 Rosé 2020 Gewürztraminer 2020 | |||
| Mirabel | Rosé of Pinot Noir 2020 | Chardonnay 2019 | ||
| Moon Curser | Arneis 2020 Border Vines 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Carménère 2019 Contraband Syrah 2019 Dead of Night 2019 Dolcetto 2019 Roussanne Marsanne 2019 Malbec 2019 Petit Verdot 2019 Syrah 2019 Tempranillo 2019 Touriga Nacional 2019 Viognier 2020 | |||
| Moraine | Rosé 2020 O’Port 2019 Gewurztraminer 2020 Riesling 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 Cliffhanger White 2020 | Viognier 2020 Cliffhanger Red 2020 | ||
| Nighthawk | Nocturnus 2018 Cabernet Franc 2018 | Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 Gewürztraminer 2017 | Chardonnay 2019 | |
| Noble Ridge | The One Sparkling 2016 | Reserve Pinot Noir 2018 Noble Meritage 2019 | ||
| Okanagan Crush Pad (Haywire) | The Bub 2017 | |||
| Okanagan Crush Pad (Narrative) | Malbec 2018 Riesling 2018 | Pinot Blanc 2019 | ||
| Oliver Twist (Nostalgia) | Chardonnay 2020 Kerner 2020 Malbec 2018 Merlot 2018 Petit Verdot 2018 Rosé 2020 Syrah 2018 | Viognier 2020 | Pinot Gris 2020 | |
| Oliver Twist (Pin-Up) | Boogie Woogie White 2020 Chantilly Lace 2020 Pink Cadillac 2020 | The Girls Rosé 2020 The Girls Red 2020 Girls White 2020 Ms. Behavin’ White 2020 | ||
| Phantom Creek | Riesling 2018 | Pinot Gris 2018 | Rosé 2020 |
Okanagan Valley R-Z
| March | April | May | June | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Stone | Malbec 2019 Malbec Rosé 2020 | Cabernet Franc 2019 Pinot Gris 2020 Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Gewürztraminer 2020 Splash 2020 (white blend) | ||
| Sage Hills | Ancestral Method Pinot Gris 2020 Field Blend 2020 Sémillon 2020 Syrah Rosé 2020 Cabonic Syrah 2020 Rhymes with Orange Pinot Gris 2020 Pinot Noir 2020 Cabernet Franc 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 | |||
| Stoneboat | Pinot Gris 2020 Gravelbar Chorus 2020 Rosé 2020 | |||
| Summerhill (Estate Grown Biodynamic) | Muscat 2020 Gewürztraminer 2020 | |||
| Summerhill (Organic) | Pinot Gris 2020 Syrah Malbec Rosé 2020 Merlot 2019 Pinot Noir 2019 Cabernet Franc 2018 Alive Rosé 2020 Alive Red 2019 | Gewürztraminer 2020 | ||
| Terravista Vineyards | Fandango 2020 Viognier 2020 | |||
| Three Sisters | Bench White Blend 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 Pinot Auxerrois 2020 Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Viognier 2020 | Pinot Noir 2019 Gamay 2019 Cabernet Franc 2019 Tempranillo 2019 Syrah 2019 Rosé 2020 | ||
| TIME McWatters Collection | White Meritage 2020 | |||
| Upper Bench | Riesling 2020 Pinot Blanc 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 Chardonnay 2019 Estate Merlot 2017 | Rosé 2020 | ||
| Winemaker’s CUT | Angelica Frizzante Rosé Musette Frizzante White Rosé 2020 | Riesling 2020 Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Gruner Veltliner 2020 Muscat Canelli 2020 Fidelia Charmat Sparkling White |
Shuswap
The Shuswap is just north of the Okanagan Valley, pushing most people’s perceptions of just how far north grapes can grow. The climate here is suited to cool-climate varieties such as Marechal Foch, Ortega or Kerner.
| June | |
|---|---|
| Sunnybrae | Pinot Noir 2019 |
Similkameen Valley
The Similkameen is named for its indigenous people, meaning “people of the river.” Most wineries here are small boutique producers who often farm organically. The arid winds that blow up and down the valley help minimize the risk of pests and diseases. As a result, there’s little need for pesticides.
| March | April | May | June | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clos du Soleil | Fumé Blanc 2020 Rosé 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 Pinot Blanc 2020 | Capella 2019 | ||
| Eau Vivre | Buddhafull 2018 (Bordeaux blend) Merlot 2018 Malbec 2018 Cab Franc 2018 | Estate Riesling 2020 Cinq Blanc (white blend) 2020 | ||
| Robin Ridge | Viognier 2020 Riesling 2020 Gewürztraminer 2020 | |||
| Vanessa Vineyard | Viognier 2020 Rosé 2020 |
Thompson Valley
As one of the newest wine regions of BC (officially recognized in 2018), the vineyards of the Thompson Valley thrive growing grapes such as Riesling, Marquette and Foch. The Valley boasts a small handful of wineries that are only a short 10-minute drive from Kamloops.
| March | June | |
|---|---|---|
| Monte Creek | Riesling 2019 | Rosé 2019 |
Vancouver Island
Most of Vancouver Island’s wineries are in the Cowichan Valley. Here, the nearby lush, green mountains shield vineyards from storms brought in from the Pacific Ocean. Generally, the region boasts cool-climate varieties such as Siegerrebe or Ortega but can also grow the province’s flagship varieties like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
| April | June | |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Grouse (Quill) | Off Dry White 2020 Pinot Gris 2020 Rosé 2020 Q White 2020 | Pinot Noir 2019 Q Red 2019 Syrah 2019 |
| Blue Grouse (Estate) | Bacchus 2020 Ortega 2020 Siegerrebe 2020 | Pinot Gris 2020 |