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Meet the Makers: BC Growers
BC Wine Growers Show Resilience & a Lot to Be Excited About
At the annual Meet the Makers trade tasting in Parkside Hotel & Spa, this feeling was everywhere—optimism, curiosity, and a quiet sense of resilience. This yearly event, hosted by Way West Wines and Coastal Craft Beverages, brings together British Columbia’s winemakers, brewers, and distillers under one roof.
This year, I focused almost entirely on wine. After the devastating 2023/24 winter freeze, I wanted to hear directly from the people behind the bottles: How are they doing? What survived? What’s next?
The answer? Things are looking up—and in many cases, tasting even better.
Table of Contents
A Quick Take on BC Right Now
Before diving into highlights, here’s the big picture:
- BC white wines: consistently world-class, many examples showcasing texture through great site selection matched with grape variety combined with fantastic winemaking.
- Red wines: I’m happy to report more producers are dialing back heavy new oak usage
- Mindset: adaptive, creative, and forward-looking. Great outlook for the future
And most importantly—there’s a sense that the best producers are refining their identity, not just reacting.
Here’s a glimpse of wine producers visited that day…
Winemaker’s Cut & the Q&A Project Tasted at Meet the Makers
One of the most engaging tastings of the Meet the Makers day came from Winemaker’s Cut, led by Slovakian-born winemaker Michal Mosny.
There’s a clear philosophy here: thoughtful, low-intervention winemaking without sacrificing precision. Fermentations are carried out with native or organic yeasts, the white wines are vegan-friendly, and sulphur additions are kept deliberately low—but not eliminated—because stability still matters.
For those of you familiar with my writing, you’ll know that I LOVE science-driven wine nerds, and Michal fits that bill.
And then there’s a slightly unexpected touch: classical music is played in both the vineyard and winery for a few hours each day. Whether it’s influencing vine growth or simply creating a better working environment is up for debate—but the end result in the glass is undeniable.
The wines strike a beautiful balance—structure without dominance, where oak supports rather than leads. It’s framing, not flavouring.
The Standouts:
A grape more commonly associated with Austria, Grüner is still a rarity in BC—but its tolerance for cooler conditions makes it a smart fit.
This example sees 35% neutral Slovakian oak, allowing for gentle oxygenation and texture without overt oak character. The result is layered and polished: zesty lemon and peach wrapped in soft almond and honeyed notes.
Production is tiny—just 540 cases—so if you spot it, don’t hesitate.
A powerful reminder of the challenges of the 2023/24 freeze—only 20% of this Syrah crop survived.
This is just heartbreaking considering how BC makes such brilliant and varied styles of this grape (as winemaker Amber Pratt from Moraine winery lamented in this post). But luckily for those who are quick, Michal has the 2022 available for order on the website. The style? Think: more Rhône Valley than Australia; black pepper, cured meat, blueberry, and real depth
Interestingly, Michal is also the winemaker behind the Q&A project ($50 per bottle)—alongside actor/director Jason Priestley and Canadian radio personality Terry David Mulligan—which continues to stand out for its ripe fruit yet restraint and precision.
While many BC reds still lean too heavily on new oak, Michal’s approach is refreshingly measured. Even for this big, bold red wine being aged in 50% neutral oak.
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Moon Curser: Classic Meets Creative
Moon Curser Vineyards, led by winemaker Christian Scagnetti, delivered one of the most complete lineups of the Meet the Makers tasting—especially on the white side.
Confiscated” Series
When regulations temporarily allowed BC wineries to use imported fruit (mainly from Washington), Moon Curser handled it smartly:
- Clearly labelled as ‘Made in Osoyoos from Washington Grown Grapes’
- Only used grapes they don’t grow
- Thereby avoiding confusing loyal customers
Result? A fantastic Riesling (~$26) made with Washington grapes that overdelivers.
Two other highlights from BC grown grapes:
This is a seriously compelling bottle—and one that punches well above its price point at $35.
The blend leans confidently on 35% Petit Verdot—a grape that only fully ripens in the best vintages and brings that signature spicy, structural edge. It’s supported by 33% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 16% Cabernet Franc.
In the glass, expect: ripe blueberry and blackberry, black plum, lifted violets, and warm baking spice—clove and nutmeg.
The tannins are present—this is a wine that’s calling out for braised short ribs, summer BBQ’s or a couple of years in the cellar to soften and evolve.
Bonus: Vegan-friendly. For cellaring long term or just for showing off the Magnum (1.5L) of the 2021 is available for just $79!
A rare sight in BC. Bright, plush, and packed with red plum, red cherries and violet perfume. A fun nod to Piedmont, Italy, and my all-time fav style (red fruits, unoaked). Num, num, num.
Lightning Rock Winery: Tiny, Precise, In Demand
Lightning Rock Winery remains one of BC’s most coveted small producers—for sommeliers and those in the know. Ron Kubek, proprietor sampled attendees that day.
Standout Producer: This is one of the few wineries I have never had ‘a just okay’ bottle from. Everything they produce is outstanding.
Winemaker Sébastien Hotte uses low-intervention winemaking to outstanding results. Production is so limited that at Meet the Makers, the tasting focused only on wines made from imported fruit.
I’ve personally purchased thousands worth of their wines for restaurant lists.
Why? Due to their precision, balance and site expression.
From single vineyard wines to sparkling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Syrah, they consistently hit. Prices typically sit between $24–$38—and they punch well above their weight.
Corcelettes: Rebuilding with Purpose
At Corcelettes Estate Winery, GM and viticulturalist Charlie Baessler made a decisive move:
Replant everything.
With over 15 years working the Similkameen’s soils and microclimates, Charlie isn’t interested in short-term fixes after the winter freeze of 2023/24—he’s rebuilding with intention and precision, betting fully on what the site can deliver in the years ahead.
As a result, his lineup at Meet the Makers leaned largely on wines made from fruit sourced in Wahluke Slope AVA in Washington State. And yes—they’re excellent, but that’s not the real story here.
Our focus is on a vineyard’s reset—and what’s coming next.
The last time I visited Corcelettes was around 2013, and the evolution is notable. There’s now a spacious covered patio for tastings and a guest house for those wanting to stay and take it all in.
This is a long game—but one that looks promising. Corcelettes continues to earn recognition, consistently ranking among the Top Small Wineries at the National Wine Awards of Canada, along with Top 10 placements nationally and within BC in recent years.
(And if you’re curious about what makes this site so special, I previously wrote about the Similkameen’s remarkable sandy loam soils in an earlier series.)
Newer on the scene, Modesta Winery—led by proprietor Mark Morrison—is already carving out a name for both its wines and the experience it delivers on the Naramata Bench. For the uninitiated, Naramata sits right smack in the middle of the 100 km Okanagan Valley strip.
We tasted two Pinot Noirs—the Saucier ($30) and the Rama ($35)—and both showed incredible complexity. Think wild strawberry, fresh cherry, one of them had a subtle earthy/clay note and the other a note of seaweed that adds depth without heaviness.
But what really sets this place apart is how you taste if you visit: Private tasting cubes with lounge-style seating, sweeping vineyard views over Okanagan Lake, plus a larger, polished tasting room for a more traditional visit
It’s the kind of spot you plan for—and then linger.
Bonus tip: The Naramata Bench now offers an annual Insider Pass ($55). If you’re planning even a couple of stops in the area (just outside Penticton), it pays for itself quickly.
We’re really looking forward to watching Modesta Winery’s journey.
A visit with Averill Creek Vineyard and proprietor Andy Johnston is always a masterclass in understated excellence. Situated in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, watch this area here—this could very well be the most promising region for growing world-class Pinot Noirs.
Averill Creek is known for some of the best Pinot Noirs in the province. Here are some highlights from the property:
- Barrel 36 (Cru Series) — $150 (wine club only)
- Somenos Pinot Noir — $48
- Estate Pinot Noir — $34
Style?
Whole bunch fermentation, minimal sulphur, and layered fruit-first approach: deep cherry, black plum, and elegance.
And in true Andy fashion—he didn’t pour from standard tasting glasses. He brought Riedel Pinot Noir bowls because details matter.
Also worth exploring:
- Both the Estate and the Somenos Vineyard Pinot Gris are excellent
- their Joue series (~$26) — fresh, fun, and approachable natural wines
Final Thoughts
This year’s Meet the Makers wasn’t just about tasting wine—it was about perspective.
- Producers adapting after a devastating freeze
- Smart decisions around oak, sourcing, and transparency
- A renewed focus on identity and quality
If there was any concern about where BC wine is heading, consider it settled.
It’s not just recovering—it’s refining.
Sip thoughtfully, stay curious, and enjoy the adventure ahead.
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