Golden Mile Bench

Located just south of Oliver, is where you really start to see the semi arid desert reflected in the landscape. Dry dusty soil, black sage & xeriscape like grasses decorate any open space. You can almost picture tumbleweed rolling across your path in a warm breeze. This region plays a significant role in the British Columbian wine industry, being the first to become a sub geographical indicator. There is not as much aspect and slope here as there are in the other regions, but it makes up for that in heat and sunlight. The Golden Mile Bench is warmer and the vineyards are positioned perfectly to collect buckets of morning sunlight, then are granted respite from the shade courtesy of Mt Kobau in the afternoon. Mt Kobau is also wholly responsible for the soil and sediment found here unlike the rest of the Okanagan Valley, which is made up of varying levels and combinations of alluvial and glacial sediment. These factors enable the region to produce wines that are structured and balanced with ripeness and acidity. The Meritage it produces is worth coming back for & stands up against some of the finest Bordeaux I have been lucky enough to try. The main grapes you would find here are Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah & Chardonnay but I have seen some Barbera being planted so very excited to see what’s next for the region.