Paul Taylor.ca

Thoughts on Wine

It is a privilege to live in the heart of Canada's premier wine region, British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.

If you have questions about B.C. wines and vineyards or are curious about food and wine pairings, check out my new venture, the Wine Therapist, an AI powered Wine Concierge found at:
winetherapy.ai

My Favourite Wineries

From the standout wineries in the north Okanagan to the amazing vineyards in the central and south, Vancouver Island and even New Zealand, check out my favourites.

Wine Recommendations

Here it is... my wine recommendations for 2025. These are subjective evaluations but are based on my experience and knowledge from the ISG level 1 course.

Ambience
+ Imagery

This is where we start to explore the ambience of beautifully curated settings through vivid imagery and food + wine pairings

My Favourite Wineries

My favourite wineries in British Columbia (grouped by region)

North Okanagan - Lake Country region:

Gray Monk Estate Winery

Established in 1972, Gray Monk is one of the oldest estate wineries established in the Okanagan. My favourites include the 2023 VQA Riesling and 2023 Gewurztraminer. Known for it's location and incredible views over Lake Okanagan, this winery includes a fabulous restaurant with a large outdoor patio overlooking the lake. Not to be missed.

graymonk.com

Peak Cellars and Garden Bistro

One of the newer wineries in the North Okanagan, Peak Cellars was established in 2016 and includes an amazing farm to table bistro with a wood fired pizza oven and on-site garden producing heirloom tomatoes, leafy greens and fragrant herbs, providing foundational elements of their seasonal menu.

The white wines really shine here - the 2022 Gewürztraminer and 2022 Glacial Till Pinot Gris are among my favourites.

peakcellars.com

50th Parallel Estate

Another relatively new winery established in 2009 with the planting of the first 10 acres of vines. Currently there are over 55 acres of vines consisting of several varietals - Pinot Noir, for which they are known for, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and more. 50th Parallel is one of the most northerly situated wineries in Canada. Also well known for their Block One restaurant which plays host to wedding events thoroughout the year.

50thparallel.com

Ex Nihilo

Inspired by Fredrick Hart’s sculpture, Ex Nihilo—Latin for “Out of Nothing” —a depiction of the creation of mankind. “Our offering is wine, our strength is people. What comes ‘out of nothing’ endures.” A large selection of red varietals such as Pinot Noir, Syrah (grown in the south Okanagan), Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, as well as some great whites - Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay. Known also for their Chaos Bistro which features some of the most picturesque outdoor seating anywhere along with exquisite cuisine. Located at 1525 Camp Road, Lake Country B.C.

exnihilovineyards.com

Central Okanagan - Kelowna:

Tantalus

Tantalus was established in 2004 when Proprietor Eric Savics was presented with the opportunity to acquire one of the Okanagan Valley’s premier vineyard properties. Originally known as Pioneer Vineyards, the site was first planted to table grapes in 1927 by renowned, local horticulturist JW Hughes. The old vine plantings – 1978 Riesling and 1985 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay became the backbone of the vineyard. Well known for their distinctly dry Old Vines Riesling, this is definitly one not to miss.

tantalus.ca

Mission Hill

Founded by Anthony von Mandl in 1981, Mission Hill Family Estate is perhaps the largest and best known winery in Canada. Recently recognized as one of the World's 50 Best Vineyards and was the 2025 winner of Winery of the Year at the prestigious WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. Recognized internationally for its incredible architecture and estate, with stunning views over Lake okanagan. With many different varietals and tiers of wine such as the Legacy Collection, Terroir Collection and Reserve wines, you will find something for everyone at Mission Hill.

missionhillwinery.com

Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Known for its unique Pyramid structure which is used to age the wines and its stunning location in the southwest Mission area of Kelowna, Summerhill is the largest certified organic winery in Canada. The Pyramid is an exact 7.51% scale replica of the Great Pyramid at Cheops, and that its design faithfully integrated both the Pi and Phi ratio numbers found in the original design and structure. Summerhill produces outstanding whites and some interesting reds such as Baco Noir and Marechal Foch.

summerhill.bc.ca

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards

Formerly known as Greata Ranch, Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards extends a long standing family relationship with the finest wineries in the area. The estate vineyard features 30 acres of vines separated into 12 smaller, carefully-tended blocks. Seven varietals are grown in our vineyard: Chardonnay, Ehrenfelser, Gewürztraminer, Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Riesling, and not by accident. One of my favourites is the Pink Mile Rosé.

fitzwine.com

Naramata Bench - Penticton:

Therapy Vineyards

When you visit our winery, we want you to have the most therapeutic experience. Surrounded by panoramic views of our vineyards, Okanagan Lake, and Giant's Head Mountain, this is the perfect Therapy. This is one my favourite wineries in the stunning Naramata Bench region of the Okanagan. With the sense of humour that goes into each bottle, one can appreciate what they are trying to achieve. Some of my favourites are: Freudian Sip (2023) and the 2020 Super Ego red blend. The vineyard also has an Inn you can book to stay at with scheduled tours of the winemaking facilities and custom tastings.

therapyvineyards.com

Red Rooster Winery

Welcome to the journey of Red Rooster, a narrative that took root in 1990 when a charming European couple found their home on the scenic Naramata Bench. In 1997, the cork joyfully popped on our inaugural vintage, marking the beginning of our steadfast commitment to crafting wines that embrace the unique character of the Okanagan Valley. With a wide variety of reds and whites, including Pinot Noir, Syrah, Viognier and Semillon there is something for all tastes. The winery grounds also showcase some interesting artwork.

redroosterwinery.com

Okanagan Crush Pad (Summerland)

This cool winery in Summerland produces many different wines under various banners, such as Haywire, Garnet Valley Ranch, Freeform and Narrative. Varietals include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Pinot Noir and more. Many of the wines are gently aged in concrete. Definitely worth a visit when travelling through Summerland.

okanagancrushpad.com

Wine Recommendations

Here is a small sample of my current wine recommendations - totally subjective of course!

Rose Wine
Hester Creek 2024 Rosé Cabernet Franc Tasting notes: This vintage displays a brilliant profile with luscious aromas of pink grapefruit, cherry and stewed strawberry. On the palate, these characteristics are mirrored with ripe cherry, strawberry and an added touch of rhubarb and cream soda. A delicious wine to enjoy on its own, or pair with a gourmet spread of spicy salami and strong cheeses...the ultimate summer patio sipper! Read more about this tasty Rose here...
Ancient Hill Rose Tasting notes: Vibrant color with spicy, strawberry, cranberry, citrus and floral aromas. Soft and refreshing in the mouth with a red cherry finish. Varietal: Zweigelt 60%, Baco Noir 40% Unfortunately this one has sold out... but stay tuned for future releases - it is well worth it and on par with the Hester Creek Rose! Read more about this tasty Rose here...
Red Wine
Hester Creek 2021 Character Red Tasting notes: This Character Red features vivid blueberries and blackberries, mingling with white pepper, clove and sage aromas. The palate is fruit forward with juicy acidity, bursting with ripe cherry flavours, supported by smoked meat and vanilla with a strong finish. Read more about this character red here...