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Thomspon Valley Wine Country

Thompson Valley Wine region

Vast landscapes and a pioneering spirit shape a region where adventure and winemaking thrive on the edge.

There is plenty of room to roam in this visually stunning region, embedded with Indigenous culture and its ranching, farming, and railway roots. Desert-like landscapes unfold with colour and texture, sprinkled with ochre-coloured hoodoos and ponderosa pines. Nestled amidst the North and South Thompson Rivers, the city of Kamloops is the heartbeat of the valley, bursting with culture, a blossoming food scene, and boundless activities. There are wineries and a cidery within a short drive of town, each with its own unique terroir.

The Thompson Valley is located on the traditional lands of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, a people whose unity, cultural preservation, and stories of resilience guide your journey every step of the way.

  • The Thompson Valley is known for its hot, dry summers and cold winters, supporting a mix of cool- and mid-climate varieties, both white and red. During the summer months, powerful rivers in the region generate consistent airflow that helps moderate temperatures, ideal for hardy Vitis vinifera varieties like Riesling. Maréchal Foch, an early-ripening red, also performs well in these cool-climate conditions. Wines produced here are fresh, fruit-forward, and structured.

  • PINOT NOIR
  • LA CRESCENT
  • CHARDONNAY
  • RIESLING
  • MARQUETTE
  • FRONTENAC NOIR
  • FRONTENAC BLANC
  • FRONTENAC GRIS

Semi-Arid Conditions

The fertile Thompson Valley is one of BC’s youngest and driest wine regions. Sheltered by high coastal mountains, it benefits from a rain shadow that protects vines during critical growing periods. These semi-arid conditions create distinct microclimates, offering winemakers the flexibility to experiment and craft expressive, site-driven wines.


A Mosaic of Nutrients

The patchwork of soils tells a quiet story of upheaval and transformation. Vineyards here grow in a striking mix of soils shaped by ancient floods and glacial activity—layers of clay, silt, loam, and gravel that offer excellent drainage and encourage vines to dig deep. This unique foundation contributes to wines with complexity and a distinct sense of place.

3

Wineries

12+

varietals

93

ACRES PLANTED

Thompson VALLEY

WINERIES

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

Beyond Tastings: Regional Activities

Bordering the mighty Fraser River and wedged between the Coast and Cascade mountain ranges, the Fraser Valley is bustling with agritourism, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventure. Explore the area through Circle Farm Tours, a series of self-guided drives that connect you with local artisans, attractions, and farm-fresh food and drink. Visit alpacas, try goat yoga, and indulge in fruit-topped Belgian waffles or artisan cheeses. Spring and fall bring garden blooms and seasonal charm, while summer invites berry picking and other tasty delights. Take the adventure into a higher gear with heart-pumping bike rides and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Play Outside

  • Downhill skiing
  • Nordic skiing
  • Hiking
  • Bike ranch
  • Pump Track
  • Watersports
  • Golfing
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Dirt biking
  • Horseback riding
  • Longboard park
  • Dog sledding
  • Snowmobiling

Adventure Together

  • Zoo
  • Museums & galleries
  • Festivals & events
  • Live music
  • Heritage attractions
  • Wildlife park
  • Axe throwing
  • Community theatre
  • Adventure park
  • Paintball
  • Fossil beds
  • Llama sanctuary
  • Donkey refuge

unwind

  • Shopping
  • Spa & wellness
  • Markets
  • Ranches
  • Indigenous tour experiences
  • Self-guided walking tours

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.

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