Okanagan's 2025 vintage emerges as standout year with vibrant whites and full-bodied reds

The Okanagan's 2025 vintage is shaping up as something of a miracle sandwiched between disaster and uncertainty.

After winter damage reduced 2024's crop to just 5% of normal, and with wildfire smoke taint expected to challenge 2026, this year's release is drawing praise from winemakers across the region. The whites, in the market all summer, are vibrant, crisp and clean. The reds and rosés released so far are packed with flavour, with winemakers predicting the barrel-aged reds will rival the great vintage of 2022.

It was not an easy recovery. A late, hard frost in 2022 had already cut 2023 yields to 60% of normal. The 2024 winter devastation forced many wineries to import grapes from American vineyards just to produce anything. Vines that survived the freeze were facing an uncertain rebound.

Then 2025 offered ideal growing conditions. Surviving vines rebounded, often producing yields 25% higher than expected.

"When our vines suffered so much damage two years ago, it seemed a gargantuan task to replant, remediate and rebuild," said Michael Bartier at Bartier Bros. Winery. "It was intimidating. But we started and kept going, and now we have harvested a healthy crop—and these wines are so delicious."

Heleen Pannekoek, chief executive at Fort Berens in Lillooet, echoed the optimism. "Our estate vineyards were in great shape going into the 2025 season. Our vineyard remained very happy and healthy and we ended up with 90 per cent of a normal harvest of healthy grapes. We believe this vintage is one of our best vintages, exceeding our outstanding 2022 vintage."

Four standouts to try:

Gehringer Bros. Dry Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2025 ($18.99) — crushed fruit was allowed 12 hours on the skins to extract aromas and flavours, resulting in a zesty white with tropical fruit notes and a long, clean finish. 93/100

Fort Berens Small Lot Grüner Veltliner 2025 ($25.99) — estate-grown at Lillooet, with 70% of the fruit skin-contacted for four hours and the remainder whole-cluster pressed. Aromatic lime and kiwi notes lead to crisp green-apple flavours. 93/100

Township 7 Benchmark Series Riesling 2023 ($29.97) — fruit from Fool's Gold Vineyard at Oliver, fermented cool primarily in concrete. An elegant Riesling with citrus and green-apple aromas and flavours. 93/100

Moon Curser Dolcetto 2025 ($30.99) — a rarely seen Italian varietal from the Okanagan with bold cherry, plum and pomegranate notes and a rich, juicy texture. 92/100