Discover

Lillooet Wine Country

Plan Your trip

Lillooet Wine region

From gold to grapes, Lillooet is forging a new path, rooted in Indigenous culture and intrepid spirit.

Nestled at the confluence of four powerful rivers, the Lillooet area is a hub for indie businesses, cultural heritage, and untamed escapes. The St’át’imc Nation are the original inhabitants of this territory, and their way of life is deeply intertwined with the natural cycles of the land. As one of the oldest settler towns in the province, Lillooet played a vital role along the Gold Rush Trail as a supply and trading centre. Today, ranching, farming, and a burgeoning wine industry are the new treasures of the land—bolstered by prime growing conditions and a spirit of resilience.

Beyond agriculture, the wine region’s dramatic backdrop inspires wild-hearted journeys through aquamarine waterways and over glacier-carved peaks. Lillooet is as much a place for mountaineers as it is for history buffs. One thing’s for sure: every adventure is sweeter with a glass of Pinot Gris to mark the moment.

  • Viticulture is new to the Lillooet area, with experimental vineyards of Vitis vinifera grapes first planted in 2004. Two established wineries now grow cool- to mid-climate grape varieties that thrive in the region’s hot, dry summers. Vintners craft crisp, delicately aromatic whites such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Characterful, expressive reds like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc also feel at home, offering earthy undertones and hints of bright berry and spice.

  • CABERNET FRANC
  • MERLOT
  • RIESLING
  • PINOT NOIR
  • CHARDONNAY
  • PINOT GRIS

Elevation is Everything

This 100-kilometre-long wine region sits at one of the most northerly growing latitudes in North America, but thanks to vineyards perched on lower-elevation benchlands, temperatures are moderate. With abundant sunshine, dry winters, and hot summers, Lillooet’s climate closely resembles the Okanagan Valley, though it tends to be cooler at night. This creates optimal ripening conditions and preserves the fresh, crisp acidity that defines BC wine. The towering mountains to the west of the region act as a rain shadow, which prevents over-saturation from incoming storms.


Nurtured by Rushing Rivers

The Lillooet wine region is at the crossroads of jagged mountains, plunging canyons, and river-carved valleys. Runoff from the mighty Fraser River and melting snow from surrounding peaks leave mineral-rich deposits across the land. Soils here are stony, sandy, and well-draining—ideal conditions that naturally limit vine vigour and encourage concentration in the fruit.

2

Wineries

15+

varietals

51

ACRES PLANTED

Lillooet

WINERIES

Exploring British Columbia’s vineyards reveals the unique terroir & diverse varietals flourishing in this picturesque Canadian province.

Learn More

Beyond Tastings: Regional Activities

Time-honoured tales echo in the deep canyons and riverbanks that define the Lillooet landscape. Heed the call to something greater than yourself and experience the land through nature, culture, and cuisine. From snowshoeing and mountaineering to fishing and rock climbing, Lillooet is a launchpad for outdoor adventure. Uncover Gold Rush history, hop aboard a scenic train ride, or try your hand at gold panning. Be sure to search for the Mile “0” Cairn, which marked the beginning of the historic Cariboo Wagon Road. While you’re in the area, you can also head west to the Bridge River Valley for an Indigenous cultural tour with Xwisten Experience.

Play Outside

  • Snowshoeing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Hiking
  • Mountain biking
  • Cycling
  • Watersports
  • Fishing & ice fishing
  • Rock climbing
  • Jet boating
  • Mountaineering

Adventure Together

  • Museums & galleries
  • Live music
  • Heritage attractions
  • Train ride
  • Gold panning
  • Festivals & events

unwind

  • Shopping
  • Markets
  • Indigenous tour experiences
  • Self-guided walking tours
  • Wineries & brewery

EXPLORE

MORE BC WINE REGIONS

A group of wine lovers sample fruit forward wines while enjoying a catered lunch next to gently sloping vineyards at an airy tasting room in an Okanagan Valley, British Columbia vineyard restaurant.

The Okanagan Valley

10,920

Acres Planted

210

Licensed Grape Wineries

With an ever-changing panorama, the valley stretches over 250 kilometres, across sub-regions, each with distinct soil and climate conditions suited to growing a range of varietals from sun-ripened reds to lively fresh and often crisp whites.

A vineyard with flat rows of grapes during growing season in the Kootenay region, home to backyard vineyards, family owned estate vineyards, and some award winning bc wineries.

Kootenays

117

Acres Planted

7

Licensed Grape Wineries

Located in the southeastern corner of British Columbia, the Kootenay region is home to pristine rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains.

Shuswap vineyard in Recline Ridge with pinot noir in BC’s wine country

Shuswap

107

Acres Planted

6

Licensed Grape Wineries

Wines have been produced here since 1997, predominately of cool climate varieties, which is understandable as it is one of the most northerly grapegrowing regions in North America.

The sun setting over a Thompson Valley vineyard with rugged mountains extending into the horizon.

Thompson Valley

93

Acres Planted

3

Licensed Grape Wineries

Nestled amongst the natural beauty of the North and South Thompson Rivers in and around Kamloops, the rain shadow of the high coastal mountains, the semi-arid conditions and diverse microclimates provide many creative options for our winemakers to shine.

A couple riding bicycles under an aqueduct through a vineyard in the Southern Okanagan, BC, Canada.

The Similkameen Valley

768

Acres Planted

17

Licensed Grape Wineries

The Similkameen Valley is a pristine stretch of vineyards, set amongst the dramatic backdrop of rugged and awe-inspiring mountains. Considered the “organic capital of Canada”, the area is known for small farms and producers dedicated to creating quality produce, delectable foods, and award-winning wines.

A photo of grapes growing at Banner Fraser Valley winery with an estate home in the midground.

Fraser Valley

194

Acres Planted

28

Licensed Grape Wineries

Encompassing Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, New Westminster to Delta, Langley, Aldergrove and Abbotsford in the east, the Fraser Valley wine region is dedicated to producing high quality, handcrafted wines with diverse varieties and styles: from unique fruit wines to delicious sparkling wines to fresh, fruit-forward table wines to fortified.

Lillooet

51

Acres Planted

2

Licensed Grape Wineries

One of the oldest towns in the province, Lillooet is located at the southern tip of the Cariboo Chilcotin region of British Columbia. The climate is very similar to the traditional grapegrowing regions in the Okanagan Valley with long, hot, dry summers. However, nights are cooler, making average summer temperatures slightly lower than the Okanagan, but at the same time preserving the fresh crisp acidity in the wines.

View of vines, ocean, and mountains at Saturna Island Vineyard, Gulf Islands, BC

Gulf Islands

110

Acres Planted

11

Licensed Grape Wineries

A vibrant community of wine producing islands – Salt Spring, Pender, Saturna, Quadra, Gabriola, Hornby, Denman – offer a glimpse into an easygoing lifestyle that allows time to savour the quiet moments with a fitting variety of unpretentious wines.

A home with sloping mountains in the background on a Cowichan Valley winery on Vancouver Island, BC.

Vancouver Island

321

Acres Planted

22

Licensed Grape Wineries

On Vancouver Island, grape winemaking really began after a provincial government-funded trial – the Duncan Project – identified Pinot Gris, Auxerrois and Ortega as promising varieties for this unique seaside environment.

Newsletter

Subscribe to the Vine

Get the details on BC wine events, contests, recipes, and promotions delivered right to your inbox.