Every year since 2003, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia has handed out awards recognizing excellence to ten wineries. The only stipulation is that the wines are made with 100% British Columbia grown grapes and must, of course, be produced within the province. Given the superb and varied climate of the province and the vibrant winemaking culture that has grown up practically in every part of British Columbia, picking ten winners is hardly difficult. With the winners chosen, it’s up to the Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC, to spend some time at the end of July travelling throughout the province making sure to visit each of the winners and personally hand each one its prize. Members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia will accompany the Lieutenant Governor so that they, too, can learn about British Columbia’s wine industry.

The awards program is fairly new, having been created in 2003 by then Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Honourable Iona Campagnolo. She sought to consult with wine industry professionals throughout the province to establish the Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines. This year 281 wines were submitted from 71 wineries across the province. Here are the winners.

Desert Hills Estate Winery
2009 Gamay Noir

Foxtrot Vineyards
2007 Pinot Noir

Gray Monk Estate Vineyards
2007 Odyssey Brut

Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards
2007 Discovery Series Sangiovese

Painted Rock Estate Winery
2007 Red Icon
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Peller Estates Winery
2008 Private Reserve Riesling

Pentâge Winery
2009 Gewurztraminer

Poplar Grove Winery
2007 Syrah

Sandhill Wines
2007 Single Block Merlot

Van Westen Vineyards
2008 Vino Grigio