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Shuswap Wine Country

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Shuswap Wine region

In this lakeside paradise, every community has its own character, and every wine tells a story.

Laid-back wine tastings meet lake life in a region alive with Indigenous culture, small-town charm, and vibrant festivals. The area is a beloved destination for houseboating, paddling, and swimming in the sparkling waters of iconic Shuswap Lake, an H-shaped wonder that stretches in four directions.

The Shuswap Nation have always been keepers of the land, sustaining their way of life through the abundance of local food sources. Salmon Arm and Sicamous are two of the region’s larger towns, each offering its own distinct charm and activities. Venture farther to discover hidden gems like Enderby and Tappen, where boutique wineries and cideries await, offering crisp, fruit-forward tastings. A bit beyond, Vernon’s Planet Bee offers mead made from honey. Wherever you roam in the Shuswap, you’ll find homegrown goodness around every bend, from farm stands and markets to local provisions inspired by the region’s seasonal bounty.

  • Light breezes off the lake help moderate temperatures, creating ideal conditions for cool-climate varieties that yield crisp, aromatic wines. White grapes dominate here, especially Ortega, Gewürztraminer, Siegerrebe, and Kerner. Maréchal Foch and Pinot Noir are the most commonly planted reds, producing medium-bodied wines with fruity notes.

  • MARÉCHAL FOCH
  • ORTEGA
  • SIEGERREBE
  • PINOT NOIR
  • GEWÜRZTRAMINER
  • KERNER
  • ZWEIGELT
  • MADELEINE ANGEVINE
  • BACCHUS
  • MADELEINE SYLVANER

Cool Northern Climates

The Shuswap is the coolest of BC’s interior wine regions, marked by a shorter growing season and moderate summer temperatures. Each winery benefits from its own unique microclimate, contributing distinct character to the wines. Weather patterns are wrapped around high-elevation Columbia Mountains, leading to a relatively high annual precipitation. Winds from Shuswap Lake and nearby watersheds help maintain consistently cooler temperatures throughout the growing season.


An Earthy Edge

Soils in the Shuswap growing region are glacial in origin, composed of silty loam, clay, and gravel, often with good drainage. The diversity of soil types across valley slopes and benches allows for microclimate-driven planting decisions. These soils contribute to wines with a crisp structure and subtle mineral edge.

6

Wineries

11+

varietals

107

ACRES PLANTED

Shuswap

WINERIES

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

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Beyond Tastings: Regional Activities

Local lore tells of the Shuswap Lake Monster—“Shuswaggi”—a 25-foot-long serpentine creature said to lurk beneath the surface. While the lake is known as the “houseboating capital of Canada,” there’s much to explore beyond its 1,000 kilometres of shoreline. Visit Salmon Arm for its iconic wooden wharf, harbourfront cafés, and legendary pies. Time your visit with the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival for music and culture by the water. Throughout the region, you’ll find farm stalls, orchards, and an array of playful attractions. Take your time and stay a while.

Play Outside

  • Downhill skiing & snowboarding
  • Nordic skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Snowshoeing
  • Hiking
  • Cycling
  • Watersports
  • Golfing
  • Fishing
  • Houseboating
  • Boating
  • Skydiving
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Salmon spawn viewing

Adventure Together

  • Museums & galleries
  • Live music
  • Heritage attractions
  • Ghost town
  • Go-karting
  • Minigolf
  • Enchanted forest
  • Indoor jungle gym
  • Waterslides
  • Axe throwing
  • Gaming centre
  • Festivals & events

unwind

  • Shopping
  • Markets
  • Antiques
  • Cheese tastings
  • Indigenous tour experiences
  • Self-guided walking tours
  • Hot pools
  • Wineries, cideries, distilleries & brewery

EXPLORE

MORE BC WINE REGIONS

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The Okanagan Valley

10,920

Acres Planted

210

Licensed Grape Wineries

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Kootenays

117

Acres Planted

7

Licensed Grape Wineries

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

Shuswap

107

Acres Planted

6

Licensed Grape Wineries

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

Thompson Valley

93

Acres Planted

3

Licensed Grape Wineries

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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

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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

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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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