For a long time, my heart has been entangled with the love of B.C. wines and storytelling. These are ancient and precious crafts, each in its way drawing people closer, sparking conversation and building bonds between people and place.
Like winemaking, writing requires attention and a willingness to dive into the depths of a story that may take time to take shape. For eight vintages, I’ve poured my dedication into the competition now known as the Trends Top BC Wine Awards, and I’m thrilled to share this year’s winners with the readers of Orchard & Vine. It’s a mountain of work—schedules, judges, scoring sheets—but it’s worth every moment. Because, behind every bottle is a story waiting to be told.
Every winery has a story, and the awards are shining a spotlight on some amazing narratives. Take sisters Kirstin Wakal and Tasha Campbell from The Gallery Winery in West Kelowna, who are working their family’s land, making wine that is weaving a golden story to touch your heart—including late-night crushes under magical northern lights. They crafted the Best of Show Top White Wine, the 2022 Between Friends Riesling.
And then there’s Michal Mosny, whose journey from Slovakia to the South Okanagan has become one of the region’s most inspiring tales. A founding face at District Wine Village, he blends European tradition with B.C.’s bold spirit. This year, he captured four medals—including three golds and Best of Show Top Red Wine for the 2022 Winemaker’s Cut Syrah.
Down at B.C.’s southern border, new stories are rising ‘Over the Fence.’ The Winery, led by the young and determined Cassandra Hood, stands as proof that new hands and new dreams can take root. The family is not only celebrating vineyards that survived the challenges of recent winters but also gold medals for their bold red wines.
Out west in the Fraser Valley, Chaberton Estate Winery reminds us that even the god of wine would be pleased with what’s pouring from B.C. wineries. Their estate-grown Bacchus—a grape worthy of its divine name—earned gold, charming judges with its crisp, floral allure. Chaberton’s story is one of heritage and quiet innovation, still winning hearts with classics like Meritage and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as proving that remarkable vines can thrive under cooler skies.
Further north, on the edge of B.C.’s vineyard frontier, new stories are taking shape in the Thompson Valley. Nestled where the north and south rivers meet, Monte Creek Winery in Kamloops is turning the valley’s rugged beauty and unique climate into wines that sparkle with possibility—quite literally. B.C. bubbles are finding thrilling new expressions here, with the 2022 Living Land Sparkling earning gold.
So grab a glass and join my joy as we weave these tales together, bringing the art of words to the art in the glass. Here’s to the winemakers, the vineyards, and to all of us who gather around the table, our hearts entangled in the shared stories we weave.
