11 high-quality B.C. wines to drink this summer, picked by Anthony Gismondi
From a lip-smacking Riesling to a rare local Albariño, critic Anthony Gismondi curates affordable bottles worth hunting down before they disappear from shelves.
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Affordable, high-quality wine is disappearing from store shelves faster than a rosé on a warm poolside deck — and critic Anthony Gismondi is urging readers to move quickly on the bottles that remain.
With inflation, tariffs, high taxation, and pure opportunism driving prices up across B.C.'s wine country, Gismondi has curated 11 standout whites and rosés worth chasing down this summer. Here's where to find them: B denotes BC Liquor stores, W means winery direct (generally the lowest price), and P indicates select private wine shops.
Bartier Bros. Riesling 2023, Okanagan Valley ($23, W, P) is stony, clean, and lip-smacking — a zero-sugar, citrus-laced lemon bomb that screams for freshly shucked oysters. Grouse Estate Ortega 2024, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island ($30, W, P) delivers dry and crisp green apple, tangerine, and lemon with marine, saline, and chalky notes. Dirty Laundry Unoaked Chardonnay 2025, Okanagan Valley ($21, W, P) draws with melon and white flowers, ruled by melon and Golden Delicious apple over a mineral finish.
Fort Berens Pinot Gris 2025, British Columbia ($24, B, W, P) is lauded for bright acidity and citrus, mineral, melon, savoury quince, and a dry northern Italian finish. Hester Creek Old Vine Pinot Blanc 2025, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley ($24, W) offers old-vine richness with pear, citrus, and Golden Delicious apple, plus creamy texture. Hillside Un-oaked Pinot Gris 2025, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley ($26, W, P) carries a pale copper colour suggesting a rosé, but delivers pure Naramata orchard fruits, green apples, and citrus.
Liber Estates Everyday Chardonnay 2025, Similkameen Valley ($24, W) is organically grown, juicy, and fruity with tropical fruit, touch of texture, and dry finish of pear and red apple. Lunessence Single Vineyard Riesling 2025, Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley ($27, W, P) is fabulous and juicy, dancing with citrus, red apple, lime cordial, and pear. Synchromesh Riesling 2025, Okanagan Valley ($26, W) is expressive and off-dry, with sweetness and acidity in perfect balance.
Terravista Albariño 2025, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley ($31, W, P) is rare — a local Albariño with a touch of Galician style, white grapefruit, green apple, and minerals in a sleek package. Township 7 Sauvignon Blanc Blue Terrace Vineyard 2025, Okanagan Valley ($27, W) is linear and mineral-driven, with citrus zest, white grapefruit, and nettle notes with a saline edge.
Gismondi recommends hunting these down before the B.C. Day long weekend — next week he'll cover what's available from the rest of the wine world.
Good to know
What's a good affordable Riesling to try this summer?
Bartier Bros. Riesling 2023 from Okanagan Valley costs $23 and offers clean, citrus-laced flavours with notes of lemon. It pairs well with freshly shucked oysters.
Where can you buy these B.C. wines?
Most bottles are available at BC Liquor stores, wineries direct (usually the lowest price), or select private wine shops. The article notes specific availability for each wine.
What's the rare wine pick on this list?
Terravista Albariño 2025 from Naramata Bench is a rare local Albariño with Galician style, priced at $31, featuring white grapefruit, green apple, and mineral notes.
