Two Summerland wines were among 12 recognized in the 2014 Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines.
On Friday, Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon made presentations at 8th Generation Vineyard for Riesling 2012 and at Okanagan Crush Pad Winery for Haywire Canyonview Pinot Noir 2011.
“The outstanding quality of wines in British Columbia impresses our wine judges each year and makes the selection increasingly difficult,” Guichon. said. “This year’s winners represent the best of the exceptional wines from our province.”
This is the 12th year the wine awards have been presented.
Jamie Hammond, private secretary to Guichon, said the entries were all of a high quality.
“The wines are getting better and better every year,” he said.
“It’s been quite an honour to get such a unique recognition for our wine,” said Bernd Schales, who owns 8th Generation Vineyard with his wife Stefanie.
They started working with wine in Canada 11 years ago, in 2003 and started their winery in 2007.
Christine Coletta, who owns Okanagan Crush Pad with her husband Steve Lornie, said the wine was the first they created.
“These were some of the very first grapes that came in here,” she said.
She added that the staff at Okanagan Crush Pad deserve thanks for making an award-winning wine.
All B.C. wineries were invited to submit their wines. A total of 436 wines from 119 wineries were entered.
Members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia accompanied Guichon as she made the presentations to the wineries.