Winery owners across the Thompson-Okanagan woke up on a January morning to devastating news in their vineyards. Temperatures had dropped to -26.9 degrees Celsius, damaging vines and destroying many of the upcoming year’s grape harvest.
New blooms in early spring gave short-lived hope for the 2024 vintage as vineyards turned green without a key ingredient: grapes.
As the fall season arrived, harvest events looked much different in British Columbia vineyards than in Sonoma and Santa Fe. While BC rebuilds and adapts to a changing climate, the two U.S. regions celebrate another successful year of abundant grape harvest.
Terri Axani, owner of popular DiVine Tours, thinks of the BC wine industry’s recent setback as “a death by a thousand cuts.” Operating DiVine Tours for ten years, Axani has witnessed everything from wildfires, deep freezes, and excise taxes to the recent short-term rentals ban, which took effect May 1.
“It’s the ripple effect to the local economy that I fear because it’s not just about the wine or the wine tours. It’s about the restaurants and shops; if they’ve come here, they’re coming back. And British Columbia wines are already taxed so heavily.”
Axani noted that the tragic wildfires that destroyed part of Jasper this summer had a positive side for Kamloops. Rocky Mountaineer diverted passengers through Banff instead of Jasper, bringing many travelers through Kamloops as a result.
“I’m hearing it over and over again, and it really is a blessing in disguise for Kamloops because we got to show off our backyard when they would have driven through. And they are continuing to come.”
For winery owners across the Thompson-Okanagan region, many say they will skip a 2024 vintage instead of importing grapes from Washington or Oregon because they want to control the quality.
“My take on the entire industry as a whole that I travel is there’s going to be an inventory pinch. If there’s something you really love, get it now because we may not see it for a number of years.”
Adam Woodward, Operations Manager at Privato Vineyard & Winery and Woodward Cider Co. shared that their Marechal Foch vines were hit hard. Initially, he wondered whether they would have to replant. “The buds slowly came out in the spring, but no fruit this year. We are optimistic for a harvest of Foch in 2025.”
Privato had more to celebrate in the vineyard. “Our Frontenac Blanc, however, did not skip a beat. We just finished harvesting these grapes. We did not pull any out. It’s quite remarkable that the Okanagan Valley is in such tough shape this year, and the vineyards in the Thompson Valleys did okay, especially with some vineyards in the Thompson Valley harvesting vinifera grapes.”
Privato is navigating the challenges in the wine industry with winter hardy grape varieties planted and will supplement this by purchasing grapes from the Okanagan. Woodward sees the markup concession program as an opportunity to bridge the gap in volumes for the short term but will also utilize its bulk wine inventory (mainly reds) to bridge the gap.
Privato is one of the lucky wineries because it previously diversified by making craft cider under the Woodward Cider Co. label. Woodward also shared that they are “working through succession planning so my parents can pass the company on to the next generation,” which is Adam and his two brothers, Ben and Tim.
“I think the wine industry has endured some tough times, and it’s not necessarily getting easier. The markup concessions will help bridge the gap, but I expect more wineries to fold under if they’ve lost their whole crop.
“With many winery owners being boomers, they don’t want to wait another four years before seeing the next crop. It takes a lot of investment in time and money to yield a bottle of wine. I like to call a bottle of wine proof of work.”
As of publication, most wine harvest events have occurred across Kamloops and the Okanagan regions. However, autumn brings several opportunities to visit local wineries, like the Scenic Sips tour offered by DiVine Tours. The tour has three stops, including a winery, brewery for beer or cider, and distillery tasting.
At Privato Vineyard, the pumpkin patch will be open from 11 am to 5 pm until October 27. Wine Club members receive free entry into the pumpkin patch on weekends. You will also receive a complimentary Hot Apple Cider. Reservations for wine and cider tastings are strongly recommended.
Candlelight concerts presented by Fever at Monte Creek Winery bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience. On October 25, you can hear the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and on November 8th, Coldplay and Taylor Swift will be played by the Listeso String Quartet.
The Tasting Room will remain open for purchases following the last concert, and Divine Tours is offering a return shuttle for $25.
Sipping Through the Southern Okanagan
One of the hottest tickets in the Southern Okanagan this fall was at Backyard Farm with Chef Chris Van Hooydonk. Eighteen lucky guests celebrated the harvest season with a wine and food pairing dinner. During the pandemic, I attended a private dinner at Backyard Farm, which was undeniably the finest in the region.
At nearby Burrowing Owl, the return of its legendary Proprietors’ Harvest Wine Dinners at the Sonora Room Restaurant takes place on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26. The evening features a five-course dinner paired with current and library vintages and live musical entertainment. Guests can enhance their experience with an overnight stay at the Guest House, which includes special room rates for Proprietors’ Wine Dinner attendees and breakfast.
On November 30, December 6, and 7, the Bottleneck Drive Association presents the 14th annual Light Up the Vines, a beloved holiday tradition in Summerland that brings in locals and visitors alike. Enjoy sparkling lights, wine tastings, music, and refreshments as Bottleneck Drive members decorate and open their tasting rooms to celebrate the season.
If you go, Burrowing Owl’s Guest House offers ten spacious rooms, a 25-meter outdoor pool, and a hot tub, all in an adults-only setting. The location is truly remarkable, providing panoramic views of the valley and surrounding vineyards.
Celebrating in Sonoma
The 2024 harvest in Sonoma County kicked off in early August at Dutch Crossing’s Estate Vineyard in Geyserville. This year’s harvest arrived three weeks earlier than 2023, but it was business as usual, with a slightly below-average grape harvest and ideal weather conditions.
Celebrated for its world-class wines, exquisite cuisine, and warm hospitality, Sonoma County is an ideal fall harvest destination. Visitors can revel in the picturesque drives past expansive vineyards, towering redwoods, and dramatic waves along the Sonoma coastline while enjoying a few regional events.
Since 1897, the Vintage Festival has united the community in celebrating Sonoma Valley’s annual harvest season. This cherished tradition invites winemakers, grape growers, and locals to commemorate the region’s rich winemaking legacy and agricultural heritage, marking the birthplace of California Wine.
Kendall Jackson offered its popular farm-to-table dinner series where guests feast on the day’s harvest from its culinary gardens and the bounty of local purveyors, paired alongside the estate’s highly acclaimed wines. Attendees relished a plentiful meal from guest chefs at four dinners this year, all while seated at a single long table amidst the vast four-acre gardens.
Industry experts and fellow wine and food enthusiasts held an unforgettable one-night celebration at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. Guests were among the first to discover which three wineries earned top honors for the Sweepstakes Wines. This exclusive event provides a rare chance to witness the unveiling of these award-winning wines and the opportunity to savor culinary masterpieces from the winners of the Professional Food Competition.
If you go, The Farmhouse Inn offers exquisite food, wine, and wellness in the heart of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. It’s the perfect place to rest your head after a day of wine tasting and harvest celebrations.
For a more budget-friendly stay, The Flamingo Resort is an iconic mid-century marvel located on a lush, 10-acre property in the heart of Sonoma’s Wine Country.
Santa Fe’s Festivities
Santa Fe may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of wine events, but the region’s vibrant culinary scene and unique wine offerings make it a must-visit for oenophiles.
Every September, the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta invites visitors to taste some of the world’s best wines paired with food from top restaurants. The five-day event features over 100 participating wineries and 75 guest chefs showcasing their talents through cooking demos, seminars, and grand tastings.
Delicious culinary offerings, world-renowned wine selections, a live auction (complete with unique wine lots), and a Grand Tasting are all part of the event’s itinerary. My favorite was the Rosé All Day event at Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection.
Roughly 180 guests dressed in their finest pink enjoyed an intimate outdoor cocktail party. Rosé wines from around the world and food pairings like lobster rolls, paella, gourmet cheese, and strawberry shortcake wowed attendees.
If You Go, the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado provides luxury accommodations nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, ten minutes from downtown Santa Fe. A complimentary shuttle service means guests can easily explore the city during their stay.
For a more budget-friendly option, check out Hotel Eldorado for its charming Southwestern vibe and central location.
The writer was a guest of Sonoma County Tourism and Tourism Santa Fe. They did not review or approve the story before publication.