Shuswap

It may seem mad to consider the Shuswap as an emerging wine industry, but believe it or not, the region holds its own Geographical Indication under the BC Wine Authority.

The Shuswap is synonymous with a densely forested landscape, mountainous terrain and the vast connected lakes and channels of its unique waterways. 

The region embodies a sense of magic and mystery that is seemingly untouched by the modern world.

This region is an ecological gem deeply rooted in a rich indigenous history. It is the heart of the traditional territories of the Secwepemic, the “meeting of the waters,” and is considered a place of gathering. 

You could easily lose yourself in its natural wonders, hiking its shorelines, gathering mushrooms or wondering its forested trails.

Amid this natural habitat you’ll find smatterings of grass-roots communities with charming cafes and boutiques and an active and inspiring artist culture. Its overall population is small, but swells in the summer with tourists attracted to the region for camping, fishing and for the August music extravaganza known as the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival. 

If you’ve ever been in this area before, you’re well aware that its generous waterways make for a boater’s paradise. 

It’s known as the houseboat capital of Canada, as the Shuswap Lake system boasts more than 1,000 kilometres of pristine shoreline and is home to the largest houseboat fleet in the country.

The area is starting to make a name for itself in wine. The Shuswap may be further north than some wine producers would consider ideal, but it enjoys a unique micro-climate that results in fresh, fruit-forward wines with plenty of character. 

Today, there are more than 100 acres of grape vineyard supplying grapes to almost a dozen wineries stretching as far north as Calista. 

According to the BC Wine Authority, “The unique location and dramatic natural beauty create an exceptional environment for producing distinctive wines with a bright, fresh character that reflects the region’s northerly latitude. 

The growing conditions in the Shuswap are defined by cooler temperatures, with warm summers and short but intense growing seasons. Shuswap Lake is essential in regulating these conditions, acting as a heat sink that prevents frost in the spring and extends the ripening season into the fall.”