Wine experts recently chose several wineries in Oliver for prestigious awards in the 2016 BC Best of Varietal Wine Awards.

The event, launching the 22nd Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, featured 24 different varietal categories, with a record total of 567 wines entered.

The judges narrowed the selection down to 122 finalists with one overall clear winner being declared the best in each category.

One of the wine experts who did the tasting at Penticton Trade and Convention Centre was Simon Gillett, sommelier at Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos.

He and many others gave the thumbs up to Oliver’s Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, who won best Cabernet Franc (2013) and best Merlot (2012).

If you ask Chief Executive Officer Sandra Oldfield what their secret is, she’ll give three: good people, good grapes and good winemaking, in that order.

“Merlot and Cab Franc were outstanding in 2012 and 2013 because we are managing our vineyards much better,” Oldfield said.

“We were able to pick at the peak of ripeness and the quality of the fruit was outstanding,” she added. “I’d say that comes from a vineyard crew that really knows what it’s doing, managed by a top viticulturalist in BC.”

Oldfield also noted their cellar team has great depth so they know how to handle great grapes.

Other winners included: Wild Goose Vineyards for best Gewurztraminer (2015), Inniskillin Okanagan (Dark Horse Vineyard) for best icewine (2012), Cassini Cellars (best red meritage blend Cabernet Dominated (2012), Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery for best red meritage blend Merlot Dominated (2010), Black Hills Estate Winery for best Viognier (2014), and Bordertown Vineyard and Estate Winery for best red blend (2013).

Some wineries won multiple awards. For a full list visit http://www.thewinefestivals.com/awards/results/3/2

Tony Munday, executive director of the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association, said the secret to this region’s success is the land and the people who farm it.

“Our area produces the best grapes in the province, that is why over 60 per cent of the grapes for the entire wine industry are grown right here in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country.”

Munday said this area has the perfect mix of geography, topography, soil, sun and knowledgeable growers who know exactly which grapes should be growing where.

Alistair Veen, sommelier, chef, and co-owner of Tap Restaurant, and 2016 BC Sommelier of the Year, said there is so much to be learned about the relationship between varietal, vinification and terroir when you blind taste all of the same region’s varietals against each other.

“To taste 60 of them side by side, with the ability to re-taste if necessary is a very special exercise. We really got to see who was pushing the envelope of winemaking in BC and tasted the full gambit of what was available stylistically.”

Veen said it’s an honour to taste the best of the best in BC.

Sharon Fiume, co-proprietor of Ciao Bella Winery, said entering these awards spurs ongoing motivation “to always keep learning” and producing the best wines.

By Lyonel Doherty