Canada Day is almost here and if you’re looking for some terrific BC wines to celebrate, our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.
Hi Natalie!
Hi Mona, great to be back with you!
Let’s start with your first wine.
Poplar Grove Cascadia Series Pinot Gris
Penticton, B.C.
We’re kicking off with the Poplar Grove Cascadia Series Pinot Gris from Penticton. It’s bursting with aromas of fresh lime and lemon sunshine. I’d pair this with Pacific coast salmon, either grilled or smoked would be lovely.
This is the 30th anniversary for this family-owned winery. Tony & Barb Holler and their four sons run the winery which practices sustainable viticulture with hand-harvested grapes, low-intervention winemaking and solar power.
The family created Cascadia Series out of necessity following the severe frosts of 2024 that devastated BC vineyards. To continue bringing exceptional wines to their customers, they sourced premium grapes from just across the border in Washington State. Despite the origin of the fruit, every other part of the wine’s journey, from fermentation to bottling, aging, and packaging, happened right here in the province, maintaining the jobs for those who work at this winery.
You can buy this wine and all of the other wines I’m recommending today directly from the wineries’ websites or by calling them. They’ll ship your wines right to your doorstep. This is a really important way that you can support these small family farms as they depend on direct sales to survive.
Also consider visiting these wineries for your next vacation or weekend getaway as they all have beautiful tasting rooms with food pairings and tours in spectacular settings.
Tell us about the next wine you’ve brought today.
Vasanti Estate Winery Gamay Noir
Oliver, B.C.
I have the Vasanti Estate Winery Gamay Noir, a silky smooth, medium-bodied red from Oliver, British Columbia with aromas of bright red berries and a touch of spice. It’s perfect for savoury summer salads and soft cheeses.
The word Vasanti means renewal and growth, which captures the Sidhu family’s story. Their father arrived in Canada in 1980 with just a few dollars in his pocket and built one of the province’s most successful farming operations. Today, his three sons—Davinder, Vik and Gordie–carry on that spirit with top-tier wines like this one.
They’re all deeply involved in every aspect of the winery. Davinder, a biochemist and optometrist, has published research on cool-climate viticulture which brings additional depth and precision to the winemaking process.
What would you like us to try next?
Township 7 Winery Provenance Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Naramata Bench, B.C.
We’re moving on to this bold, savoury Township 7 Winery. I have their Chardonnay and you have their Provenance Series Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers seductive aromas dark plums and juicy blackberries. It’s smooth and full-bodied, perfect for barbecue steak or a grilled Portobello mushroom burger with melting blue cheese.
Township 7 is celebrating their 25th anniversary and is one of the few BC wineries with two locations: South Langley and Naramata Bench. They produce still and sparkling wines in small artisanal lots and their wines have consistently been awarded 90+ point scores and many awards.
Over the past decade, Township 7 has become a leader in traditional method sparkling wines in Canada. Our Seven Stars collection has earned multiple top honours, including Best Canadian Sparkling Wine at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC), Platinum and Double Gold medals at the All Canadian Wine Championships, and consistent 90+ point scores from national wine critics.
After one of the most challenging years in Okanagan history with that 2024 freeze, they’re replanting their vineyards and in the meantime, have introduced their Interlude Series made from Sonoma grapes. It’s a true testament to Canadian resilience and optimism. When nature gives you frost, you give it your all and continue to make wine that upholds the quality that’s earned them medals at the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards.
What’s your final recommendation to celebrate Canada Day?
Sagewood Estate Winery Dernier Foch
Kamloops, B.C.
For our final wine, we have a gorgeous late-harvest dessert wine from Sagewood Estate Winery in Kamloops. The Dernier Foch is bursting with luscious dark cherry and blackberry jam flavours. I’d pair it with blackberry pie or even chocolate mousse as it’s rich enough to handle it. This is pure decadence in a glass and a great reason to skip dinner entirely.
Sagewood is a boutique family-owned and operated winery, nestled on the slopes of the scenic South Thompson River. This is the region’s oldest commercial vineyard.
Winemaker Doug Wood has been growing grapes since 2005 and started bottling wine under his own label in 2013. Since then, Sagewood has won more than 60 medals and awards.
Natalie, thank you for sharing these wonderful BC wines!
Where can we find you online?
On Instagram, you can find me posting wine reviews and tips at:
Online, my website is nataliemaclean.com.
Posted with permission of CTV Morning Live.
