https://www.facebook.com/110106457362511/

Canadian Wine Explorer

Home
Canada
Kelowna, BC
Canadian Wine Explorer

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Canadian Wine Explorer, Wine/Spirits, Kelowna, BC.

🔭Exploring iconic and small, boutique wineries worldwide
🏆Named one of Top 25 Wine Influencers in Canada in 2026 (Feedspot)
📚WSET 3 (Distinction) | French Wine Scholar | Italian Wine Scholar | BC Wine Ambassador

04/22/2026

I recently came back from a trip to Ontario. While there, I went to a local LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) store and was appalled that they had virtually no BC wines. The clerk was apologetic but this was certainly not in her control.

For decades, Canadian consumers have been subjected to outdated wine laws. It’s easier to buy International wines than a Canadian wine from another province! This would never happen in Spain, Italy or France.

While the Canadian federal government has announced the removal of interprovincial trade barriers, each provincial and territorial government remains responsible for the sale of wine, beer and spirits in their jurisdiction.

The change is slow….too slow, and by adding your voice to the petition we can help remove interprovincial trade barriers and expedite the process. Provinces are working towards a May 2026 deadline and signing the petition would send a clear message. Canadian consumers want full access to ALL Canadian wines.

If you are a Canadian resident of legal drinking age, please consider signing the petition. Link is in my bio.

Regardless of which party you may endorse, this is the time to support our Canadian wineries and enable them to have full access to a broader market.

Many thanks to for highlighting this petition. Proud to add my voice to Bill C-262 introduced by MP Dan Albas.

Cheers my wine friends!

03/14/2026

Teroldego

A rare Italian grape hailing from the province of Trentino is often regarded as the “Prince of Trentino”.

Elisabetta Foradori’s pioneering experiments in the 80s has cemented Toreldego as one of the most distinctive red wines grown in Northern Italy - and now it is grown in Canada, thanks to Stag’s Hollow Winery located in Okanagan Falls BC.

How did the two compare?

On the nose, the Italian version has very distinctive and enticing aromas - black berry, black currant, pepper, violet, and a unique herbal scent.

The Canadian version had the same black fruit and pepper notes along with vanilla, sage brush and leather.

On the palate, both were full-bodied with incredibly smooth tannins, lively acidity and a persistent finish. Both were also at 12.5% alcohol which made it such an easy red to drink.

Food pairing - both paired nicely with the pasta but I would also bet the Stag’s Hollow would go nicely with grilled meat. It just felt a bit more fuller bodied.

As the seasons change and summer finally does arrive, this would be the perfect red wine for those hot, summer al fresco dining experiences where you want a full-bodied wine but not the 14% alcohol.

Conclusion - I love both! Unique grape representing the climate and terroir from each region. Foradori with its signature aromatics. Stag’s Hollow tilting to a more fuller body. Winemakers at each winery are women - cheers to their bold visions!

Fun Fact - DNA profiling shows that Teroldego is related to Dureza (a parent of Syrah). We all know how well Syrah performs in the south Okanagan!

Teroldego is cellar worthy - so worthwhile to have this on hand in the cellar. Definitely a wine that I would purchase again for my own personal use!

In Kelowna, I was able to get my hands on both the Italian and Canadian bottles from Arc Liquor Guisachan Village. Stag’s Hollow Winery also has wines available on their website.

If you are looking for a distinctive red wine (full bodied with lower alcohol), then this would be a fun one to try!

Cheers my wine friends - have an amazing weekend 🍷

02/22/2026

Saturday Night Vibes

2017 Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon was a perfect match for sipping by the fire.

Winemaker, Emma Garner, is well known for her love of Rieslings but I find her red wines to be so intriguing and exceptionally well made!

In the glass, a dark ruby colour with an array of black fruit (black currant, black plum, black cherry) aromas coupled with herbal notes, vanilla, leather and smoke with a hint of spice.

On the palate, an explosion of dark fruit, savoury notes and black pepper. A dry, full-bodied wine with loads of acidity and well-integrated tannins (after some time in the cellar) with a long, persistent finish. Definitely a wine that pairs beautifully with filet mignon off the barbecue.

My favourite aspect of this wine is the alcohol below 14% - which makes this the perfect wine to sip as you watch your favourite Netflix show! With many cabernet sauvignons punching above 14% ABV, this is definitely a lovely alternative if you are looking for a slightly lighter style but still very much a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Thirty Bench Wine Makers is located on the Beamsville Bench in the Niagara area. The winery has won numerous awards - in Canada and abroad - including their 2015 Small Lot Cabernet Franc winning Best in Show by Decanter. No small feat for a Canadian winery!

If you are in the Beamsville Bench area, Thirty Bench Wine Makers is a must visit! You’ll be sure to find a favourite in their award winning portfolio!

Cheers my wine friends!

02/15/2026

Oregon Roots Meets BC Craftsmanship

A devastating 2024 vintage in the Okanagan forced many producers to source fruit from other regions.

Winemaker David Paterson at Tantalus Vineyards, having interned in the Willamette Valley in Oregon before settling in Canada, reached out to the team managing the Looney Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge AVA. He successfully secured fruit from the very vineyard he once worked in 2007!

The Pinot Noir fruit was gently whole bunch pressed. The resulting free-run juice was separated from the hard pressings. Both were transported cold, overnight, across the border back to Tantalus Vineyards in East Kelowna. The logistical planning must have been crazy!

Back at Tantalus, the free-run juice was fermented in stainless steel and the hard pressings were fermented in older Pinot Noir barriques that provided texture and complexity. Blended wine rested on lees for 3 months before bottling.

This is an absolutely lovely rosé with a touch of copper hues in the glass. Fruit forward (raspberry, strawberry) and on the palate a hint of structure that you don’t always find in a 100% Pinot Noir rosé. A real winner for the Tantalus team 🙌

Alas, it would appear that this wine is all sold out - I wish I had bought more. But this is a reminder of how good the wines are at Tantalus Vineyards. If you are ever in the Okanagan area, this winery should be on the top of your list to visit!

Looking forward to the new releases from Tantalus!

Cheers everyone 🥂

01/20/2026

The most beautiful journeys begin with study—Spanish Wine Scholar, here we go!

With the French Wine Scholar and Italian Wine Scholar programs behind me, I’m excited to begin the Spanish Wine Scholar—one of the most comprehensive deep dives into the wines of Spain.

At just shy of 400 pages, this book promises a rewarding few months of focused study, regional exploration, and discovery.

While the majority of my cellar leans Canadian, I’m very much looking forward to expanding both my knowledge and my palate through Spain’s diverse regions and traditions.

Is anyone else starting the Spanish Wine Scholar program this February? And for those who’ve already completed it, I’d love to hear any study tips or advice.

Here’s to the journey ahead🍷

12/22/2025

A lovely pre-theatre dinner at Erica Jane Restaurant with the family last night.

Lots of wines to choose from and we decided on the 2023 Silver Chardonnay - Little Engine Winery - Naramata Bench near Penticton,BC.

No formal tasting notes, but I would describe this as a rounder style of Chardonnay with lighter acidity along with aromas and flavours of orchard fruits and vanilla.

The 2023 vintage followed a significant cold snap that took place in December 2022 which saw temperatures plunge into the -20s C and colder! I remember well because that was our move-in date to our new home!

Spring 2023 revealed significant damage in the vineyards, but Naramata Bench fared better than most areas in the Okanagan. Delayed bud break followed by an incredibly hot and dry summer resulted in one of the most condensed and rapid harvests that the Okanagan has ever experienced.

I’ve always enjoyed the chardonnays from Little Engine Wines and I particularly love their tagline “Dreams don’t come true, dreams are made true”.

Definitely a winery that I need to visit in the spring.

And if you are at Erica Jane Restaurant, check out the oysters, seafood gnocchi, prosciutto chicken, lobster linguine and the prime rib. Delicious food and atmosphere!

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays and may all your dreams come true in 2026!

12/11/2025

Drouhin Oregon
2022 Roserock Pinot Noir

Wine Spectator Score - 94
# 6 - Top 100 Wines of 2024

A surprise find at Arc Liquor in the Guisachan Village Mall. It’s not everyday that you find a collectible to add to your cellar or to gift to someone special this holiday season. As of Dec 10, they only had four bottles remaining!

No tasting notes on this wine as it is heading straight to the cellar.

Here is the overview from Wine Spectator:

“Domaine Drouhin is the Oregon outpost of Burgundy’s Maison Joseph Drouhin. While most of the estate vineyards are in the Dundee Hills, Roserock Vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills has become increasingly key to the winery’s success since the Drouhins purchased the 122-acre vineyard in 2013. Véronique Boss-Drouhin, who oversees winemaking operations in both Burgundy and Oregon, blended a selection from the vineyard’s 35 individual blocks, which she fermented separately. Eola-Amity Pinot Noirs are known for their powerful structure, but Boss-Drouhin strives to accentuate the house’s graceful style. This 2022 aged in French oak barrels (20 percent
of which were new) for 10 months.”

So if you have some last minute shopping, check out Arc Liquor at Guisachan Village Mall. Julia has put together a unique collection of International wines. Worth a visit!

Cheers and happy holiday shopping!

11/27/2025

Hard to believe that these bottles mark the end of an era. After two very difficult winters, Mirabel Vineyards decided to close their doors.

Mirabel Vineyards is now down to their last bottles of their entire inventory. Only the 2022 Reserve Chardonnay remains directly from the winery. Once they’re gone…..that’s it!

Tasting notes from the winery - “aromas of Ambrosia apple, vanilla and tropical pineapple. The palate is rich and creamy, featuring ripe peach and apricot alongside a touch of flinty minerality. A long, vibrant finish highlights lingering notes of stone fruit, adding depth and elegance to this medium-full bodied wine.”

These bottles are going into the cellar and will definitely open a few for Christmas. More tasting notes to follow.

In the meantime, if you are looking for wines for yourself or a gift for others, the 2022 Reserve Chardonnay is a great option. Only $30 per bottle direct from the winery these would make great hostess gifts or stocking stuffers.

To the Mirabel team…..cheers and thank you! You will be missed 🥂

11/03/2025

Ski season is just around the corner and if you are heading to Whistler, here are some of the top restaurants to check out in the area.

First restaurant we visited was Il Caminetto. They’ve received Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence since 2019. Amazing food with a wine list to match! Here we enjoyed a bottle of the 2022 Planeta Chardonnay along with the Lobster & Saffron Spaghetti.

Second on the list is Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar. Best of Award of Excellence since 2000, this restaurant is a fan favourite featuring farm to table dining. Love that they offer half bottles formats so we enjoyed the 2021 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay.

Next is The Wildflower & Grill Room at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. An Award of Excellence recipient since 2023 offers wine by the glass (Coravin). Couldn’t resist a glass of the 2016 Jean Luc Colombo Amour de Dieu Condrieu.

This was our first visit to Whistler and we were able to take advantage of the Fall Prix Fixe menus. A fabulous way to enjoy these restaurants and their wines!

Looking forward to getting back to Whistler soon!

10/19/2025

A fabulous start to the weekend with neighbourhood friends!

Entertaining is easy when you have Tanya Muir from .kelowna.charcuterie pull together an amazing charcuterie board! So delicious and the presentation was stunningly beautiful.

Wine pairings included a 2022 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Black Hills Syrah, 2024 Nagging Doubt Viognier (grapes from Washington State) and Divin 0% Sauvignon Blanc.

Interesting to see that 1/2 the group had zero-alcohol drinks or alternating between alcohol and non-alcohol. All about balance and moderation!

If you are looking for non-alcohol wine, check out the team from . Their portfolio continues to expand as this category garners more interest.

As the holiday season is soon upon us, do check out .kelowna.charcuterie. Charcuterie boards come in all sizes with personal delivery and pick-up. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

Cheers my wine friends! Hope you are all having an amazing weekend 🥂

10/17/2025

A fabulous Thanksgiving getaway to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler was filled with amazing food, wine, shopping and enjoying the breath-taking sights in the region.

The Fairmont knows how to do holidays! The Wildflower & Grill Room was in full swing for Thanksgiving and it was easy to see why they’ve received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence since 2023.

Our dinner in The Grill Room offered a Prix Fixe menu along with wines by the glass via Coravin. A great way to try something new so I selected the 2016 Jean-Luc Colombo Amour de Dieu Condrieu.

Made from 100% Viognier, grapes are hand-picked from steep granite slopes in the Condrieu appellation in the Rhône Valley. A full-bodied wine with golden hues in the glass and a medley of orchard fruits on the nose with a persistent finish. Definitely a wine to add to the cellar -need to try other wines from this producer!

For a more casual setting, check out the Mallard Lounge for appetizers, cocktails and wines by the glass - yes, including V***e Clicquot.

When staying , do splurge on one of the Fairmont Gold rooms. Amazing service from the team which also confirms why Fairmont Whistler was named #1 resort in Canada by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.

There is so much to see and do in Whistler and we’ve been told that winters are magical in the mountains. Definitely will be visiting more often.

Stay tuned for a recap of other restaurants and wines we enjoyed during our stay.

Address

Kelowna, BC

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Canadian Wine Explorer posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Canadian Wine Explorer:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Food & Beverage Service in Kelowna?