Wineries in the South Okanagan were presented with the 2015 Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines this week.
The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, along with the members of the Government House Foundation who administer the awards, visited the wineries and presented the awards from July 20 - 22.
“The outstanding quality of wines in British Columbia impresses our wine judges each year and makes the selection increasingly difficult,” said Guichon. “This year’s winners represent the best of the exceptional wines from our province.”
Among those presented with the award were two Penticton wineries — Ruby Blues Wineries for their 2014 Commune Viognier and Red Rooster Winery for the 2012 Syrah Reserve. Naramata wineries Lake Breeze Vineyards was awarded for their 2012 Merlot.
In Oliver Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Winery was awarded for the 2014 Riesling Icewine, Platinum Bench Vineyard for the 2013 Gamay Noir Block 28, Church & State Wines for the 2012 Quintessential and Cassini Cellars for the 2012 Cabernet Franc Collector’s Series. Okanagan Falls winery BC Wine Studio was awarded for the 2012 Siren’s Call Syrah, Wild Goose Vineyards and Winery for the 2014 Mystic River Gewürztraminer, Noble Ridge Vineyard and winery for the 2010 The One Sparkling and Blasted Church for the 2012 Holy Moly Petit Verdot.
All wineries in British Columbia were invited to submit their wines for judging by a panel of wine industry professionals.
This year, 425 wines from 116 wineries were considered by a panel of nine renowned judges. Wines submitted had to be from 100 per cent British Columbian grown grapes and produced within the province to be eligible.
Members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia were also in attendance for the presentations so they can gain knowledge of British Columbia’s renowned wine industry.