BEST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

It’s hard to imagine where B.C.’s wine industry would be today without the wine festival.

Four decades of education and competition has been good for local producers keen to take on the world’s best.

Today, most of the innovation in the tasting room is local, so make sure you check out some of these picks you likely won’t see in local liquor stores.

Burrowing Owl Meritage 2014, Okanagan Valley, $39

Culmina Family Estate Winery Hypothesis 2014, Okanagan Valley, $46

Okanagan Crush Pad Free Form Cabernet Franc 2017, Okanagan Valley, $39.90

Lake Breeze Vineyards Roussanne 2017, Okanagan Valley, $28

Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Meritage 2016, Okanagan Valley, $21

Nk’Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2016, Okanagan Valley, $30

Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery the One Sparkling 2015, Okanagan Valley, $40

One Faith Grand Vin 2013, Okanagan Valley, $132

Painted Rock Cabernet Franc 2016, Okanagan Valley, $45

Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 2015, Okanagan Valley, $34

Quails’ Gate Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2016, Okanagan Valley, $43.50

Time Winery White Meritage 2017, Okanagan Valley, $23

Tinhorn Creek The Creek 2015, Okanagan Valley, $56

Wild Goose Vineyards Mystic River Gewürztraminer 2017, Okanagan Valley, $20