Twelve wines have been chosen for the 2016 Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines

“This year’s winners represent the best of the outstanding wines from our province,” said Judith Guichon. “With so many exceptional wines entered each year, it is becoming increasingly challenging for the judges to select the winners.”
This year, 504 wines were submitted by 135 wineries for judging.

The winners are:

Kismet Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Hester Creek Estate Winery 2013 Syrah Viognier
Gold Hill Winery 2013 Meritage Family Reserve
Bordertown Vineyards & Estate Winery 2013 Living Desert Red
Intersection Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc

Five of the 12 from the Osoyoos/Oliver area
All 12 from the Okanagan, Three Kelowna area, Two Summerland, Two Penticton area.

Ex Nihilo Vineyards 2014 Pinot Noir
Lunessence Winery & Vineyard 2014 Riesling Icewine
Okanagan Crush Pad Winery 2014 Haywire The Bub
Quails’ Gate 2014 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay
Red Rooster Winery 2012 Reserve Merlot
Ruby Blues Winery 2015 Commune Viognier
St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery 2014 Riesling

The Lieutenant Governor will visit the winning wineries Friday to present the Awards. Members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia will accompany her when she makes these presentations so they can gain knowledge of British Columbia’s renowned wine industry.