Okanagan Revisited: Chapter One

Spring Releases, Resilience, and Revelations

It’s been a while—too long, in fact—since my last post here. Life has a way of pulling us in different directions, but I’ve never stopped thinking about the stories still waiting to be shared. So, to those who’ve followed this blog, thank you for your patience—and I’m glad to be writing again.

When I first visited the Okanagan Valley in August 2022, I was struck by the sheer quality of the wines—red, white, or rosé. The freshness, clarity, and regional identity in the glass were unmistakable. What made it even more remarkable was how this diversity of expression was unified by the valley’s defining trait: its tension between opulence and structure, richness and lift. That trip eventually inspired a wine travelogue and a number of tasting workshops in Hong Kong.

Now, nearly three years on, I’ve returned to the Okanagan in May 2025, just in time for most spring releases, and I’m pleased to report that the valley hasn’t just endured the challenges of recent years; in many ways, it’s grown stronger.

Okanagan Valley is a region that is moulded by extreme climates. The long, dry summers and frigid winters shape a growing season like no other. Days can be scorching, flooding the grapes with sunlight that pushes flavour and sugar development, while nights drop steeply in temperature. This diurnal swing is why Okanagan wines often strike that rare balance: fruit-forward but bright, rich but nervy, and precise. The low humidity, thanks to the protective barrier of the coastal mountain ranges to the west, only sharpens the concentration.

That famed acidity, the “BC stamp,” still rings true in the new releases. But the 2024 growing season forced a reckoning. A devastating spring frost nearly wiped out the crop for many growers. And yet, adversity revealed adaptability. During this visit, I was keen to explore how producers responded to the near-total crop loss through collaboration, innovation, and sheer willpower.

Of the 12 wineries I visited in 2022, I revisited six and connected with the winemakers or their representatives to see how their philosophies and practices have evolved. I also added three first visits to the itinerary, each offering something different. One provides something I completely missed on my first visit: icewines. And, to my delight, another offers one bold port-style fortified red that provides a distinctly Canadian take on the style.

Over the next few posts, I’ll share highlights from these visits—wines that surprised me, stories that stayed with me, and a deeper look at how this region continues to assert its identity on the world stage. There’s resilience here but also refinement.

Stay tuned.