In vino veritas (1) - Kelowna, Okanagan Wine Region, Canada

[hangchoi]

Another aim for my trip to Canada is to visit the wineries at Okanagan Valley. There are 2 main wine regions in Canada: Okanagan Valley and Niagara Peninsula. This time I went to Kelowna, which is situated in the Central Okanagan region.

[hangchoi]

Kelowna is at the Central Okanagan area. This area has been producing wine for more than 140 years (since 1859). The whole area is a valley with mountain surrounding it.

[hangchoi]

THE CLIMATE

The climate of Kelowna is said to be continental, as it is in in-land area and surrounded by mountains. However, the Okanagan lake gives the area a moderating effect. Having said that, it has a moderate continental climate which the summer is hot and dry. I have talked to the local people there and they said that there would be forest fire every summer, due to the hot and dry weather. Sounds like in Australia.

However, in 2010, the weather is cold and rainy, forest fire is not an issue too. This may mean that the ripeness of the grape may be a question to the wine maker.

[hangchoi]

THE SOILS

Generally the soils are mainly clay and sand.

[hangchoi]

The whole region of Okanagan is full of fruit products. In addition to the grape growing, you can find apple, cherry, strawberry, etc. everywhere. This implies that the soil is quite fertile here. As we know that good grapes are usually come from less fertile soils, this may be a reason that they have weeds along the vineyard.

[hangchoi]

Since the region is on a valley location, they make the best use of the hill slope to plant their vine to get the maximum sun exposure. The orientation is usually east or west facing.

[hangchoi]

We all know that hill slope will provide good drainage to water, which may pose a drought problem in hot and dry summer here. Like most of the new world wine making, irrigation is used. As far as I found on vineyard, they installed fixed sprinkler head for irrigation.

[hangchoi]

VITICULTURE

Most young plants were supported by plastic sleeves.

[hangchoi]

Pruning and Training

Various pruning and training methods are observed. This first one is Cordon du Royat or single cordon.

[hangchoi]

The second one I found is Spur-pruned + VSP.