Similkameen Valley

As suitable land for growing grapes in the Okanagan Valley began to become more and more scarce, growers began looking to the Similkameen Valley for possible expansion of the industry. Located along the Crowsnest Highway southwest of Penticton, vintners knew that the climate in Similkameen would be similar to that of the southern Okanagan Valley. But the terrain consists of a snaky, majestic river and steep mountains and rocky cliffs that close tightly around the valley floor, and it’s persistently windswept. These powerful wind gusts helps keeps vineyard, orchards and farmland free of insects, rot and mildew. In fact, the Similkameen Valley is known as the Organic Capital of Canada. It is increasingly being recognized as an emerging wine region and is one of the Geographical Indications, identified by the BC Wine Authority. There are 15-plus wineries making both grape and fruit products in the bottle. Most are concentrated in the Keremeos-Cawston area. They’ll make you think twice about what is possible with the region’s bounty. Decanter Magazine recently described the Similkameen Valley as one of Canada’s most exciting wine regions “hidden in plain sight.” “This emerging appellation lies, figuratively and literally, in the shadow of the much larger and more visited Okanagan Valley. Compared to the Okanagan, the Similkameen is blessedly empty of people. It is also stunningly beautiful, with soaring mountains framing the valley floor and vineyards interspersed among the older fruit orchards.” Indeed, you can expect a low-key, unhurried pace here. The Similkameen Independent Winegrowers association describes the valley as “alluring because of its beauty, the authenticity, a lifestyle of locally grown food and wine, and the ‘realness’ of a place built on hard work from the ground up. But also because there is a sense of discovery, of something emerging, of things to come.” The Similkameen boasts scores of accessible fishing lakes along with the remote backcountry terrain of Cathedral Provincial Park, a major attraction to adventure seekers looking for unparalleled experiences and breathtaking views. History buffs will be drawn to the old frontier-like atmosphere and landscape.