Discover | Okanagan Valley
GOLDEN MILE BENCH

Golden Mile Bench

The next step for understanding the terroir of BC is to create official sub-regions, known as sub-geographical indications (sub-GI) within the large area of the Okanagan Valley geographical indication. Sub-GIs demonstrate unique climates, soil types and the resulting wine styles. The Golden Mile Bench was the first sub-GI, created in 2015 within the Okanagan Valley wine region followed by Okanagan Falls, Naramata Bench and Skaha Bench. Expect additional sub-GIs in the coming years.

Located on the western slope of the valley south of Oliver and across from the Black Sage Bench, the Golden Mile Bench’s southerly aspect provides a warm climate. Its location on the west side of the valley it gets morning, rather than afternoon sunshine, making it a cooler region than its eastern neighbour.

A wine made exclusively from grapes grown in the sub-GI can use the term Golden Mile Bench as a Geographical Indication on a BC VQA Wine label. It’s the location the grapes are grown, rather than the location of the winery that is relevant.

Terroir

Average 1,385 growing degree days.
Well-drained fluvial fans of stony gravelly sandy loams or gravelly loamy sands.

Common Varietals

MERLOT

CABERNET FRANC

PINOT GRIS

CHARDONNAY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

GEWÜRZTRAMINER

SYRAH