Lieutenant Governor presents wine awards

t-governor-bc-wine-awards

The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, presented the 2014 Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines this past week in the Okanagan Valley.

Her Honour acknowledged outstanding wines from these Okanagan vineyards:

Hester Creek Estate Winery Oliver
Winning Wine: Block 2 Reserve Merlot 2011

Bonamici Cellars  Okanagan Falls
Winning Wine: Merlot Cabernet Franc 2012

Kraze Legz Vineyards and Winery Kaleden
Winning Wine: Skaha Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay 2013

Pentâge Winery Penticton
Winning Wine: Syrah Reserve 2010

Ruby Blues Winery Penticton
Winning Wine: Viognier 2013

Howling Bluff Estate Penticton
Winning Wine: Summa Quies Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013

Laughing Stock Vineyards Penticton
Winning Wine: Portfolio 2011

8th Generation Vineyard Summerland
Winning Wine: Riesling 2012

Okanagan Crush Pad Winery Summerland
Winning Wine: Haywire Canyonview Pinot Noir 2011

Wayne Gretzky Okanagan  Kelowna
Winning Wine: The Great Red 2011

Quails’ Gate Winery  West Kelowna
Winning Wine: Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2012

All wineries in British Columbia were invited to submit their wines for judging by a panel of wine industry professionals. This year, 436 wines from 119 wineries were considered by a panel of seven renowned judges. Wines submitted had to be from 100% British Columbian grown grapes and produced within the province to be eligible.

In 2003, the Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines were established by the Government House Foundation to recognize and honour excellence in the province’s growing wine industry. The Lieutenant Governor visits the winning wineries and presents the awards each summer. These awards are supported by the Government House Foundation.