The Wineries of British Columbia

Ann Turner is the financial and budget manager of the University of
British Columbia Library.

B.C.’s wine industry has had its ups and downs over the years, but
through all the economic, regulatory, and climatic difficulties, it has
matured and developed a character that is distinctively its own. Wine
connoisseurs used to dismiss “B.C. plonk” as beneath serious
consideration. No more. An exciting variety of tastes and some
first-class wines are available from B.C. wineries. With this guidebook
in hand, one can realistically plan wine tours to explore and sample the
offerings of the Okanagan, Vancouver Island, and lower mainland wine
regions.

The guide describes 40 wineries, their histories, special features of
their wines, and black-and-white illustrations of their labels, and
includes lively biographies of their owners. For the wine tourist, it
provides addresses, telephone numbers, directions, and hours for wine
shops and tastings. Newcomers to the study and contemplation of wines
will appreciate the “winespeak” guide to the jargon, and especially
“Grape Varieties and What They Taste Like,” an aid to savoring the
wide range of varietals that characterize the B.C. wine industry. All of
this is highly readable, thanks to the author’s considerable skill as
a wine writer, and is thoroughly indexed for easy reference. Enjoy!