British Columbia Vineyards for Sale

Vineyards and Wineries for Sale in British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia’s stunning mountain ranges, cool mountain lakes, and verdant valleys make it not only a beautiful place to visit but an incredible place for agricultural pursuits – especially those related to viticulture. Wine grapes thrive across the region, with each glass of wine produced in British Columbia speaking to the special terroir of its vineyard. Canada’s wine industry is growing quickly, particularly in British Columbia, and is beginning to compete with America’s well-known wine regions. Whether you’re an experienced viticulturist or someone new to the wine industry, British Columbia, Canada has vineyards and wineries for sale to meet your needs and help you realize your wildest wine-making dreams! 

British Columbia’s History of Winemaking

British Columbia has a long history with wine dating back to the late 1800s when French Catholic missionaries first introduced winemaking in the region. The first grape vines were planted in the Okanagan Valley to produce sacramental wine. It soon became clear that this area was extremely well-suited to growing wine grapes. In the early 20th century, both extra fruits like apples and the traditional grapes were used to craft wines here. By the 1960s, the region was growing many French hybrid grapes that were ideal for growing in British Columbia’s colder regions. Today, British Columbia, Canada produces $2.8 billion of wine each year and employs over 12,000 people. This flourishing wine region is extremely welcoming to newcomers, making British Columbia vineyards and wineries for sale a hot commodity with those new to the industry. 

British Columbia Wine Regions

The geology, climate, and soil of British Columbia, Canada shift dramatically as you move from east to west across the region. This province is known for stunning mountains, rushing rivers, and peaceful lakes, each of which leaves its mark on a vineyard or winery’s terroir. If you’re interested in finding a British Columbia winery or vineyard for sale, it’s important to be familiar with the province’s wine regions so that you can find the right fit for the types of wines you’d like to produce and the type of wine business you’re hoping to run. 

• Okanagan Valley – The largest of British Columbia’s wine regions, the Okanagan Valley boasts an impressive 86% of the province’s vineyard acreage. In fact, it is so extensive that this region is further broken down into four subregions: Golden Mile Bench, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Falls, and Skaha Bench. This region has a unique climate, unlike anywhere else in British Columbia or the rest of Canada. This dry and semi-arid shrubland is technically a desert, with high temperatures during the day and two extra hours of sunlight compared to Napa Valley. But its place between the Cascade and Columbia mountain ranges near many fresh mountain lakes means the temperature is much lower at night, which helps the wine grapes grown here to maintain a natural acidity and brightness. If you’re interested in purchasing a British Columbia vineyard or winery in a place where grapes thrive, look no further! 
• Fraser Valley – This wine region is conveniently located just east of Vancouver, making its wineries and vineyards popular with tourists and locals in the city. Because of this prime location, Fraser Valley is the second most popular wine region in British Columbia. It stretches from the Fraser River all the way to the Pacific Ocean, and its geography grants it a unique soil. The soil in the area is silty and unusually high in organic matter, and this terroir comes through strongly in the high-quality wines crafted here. The soil is so nurturing for agriculture that this area also produces more than half of British Columbia’s annual revenue from agriculture. Additionally, the high elevation of this area results in a cooler climate that makes it ideal for growing wine varieties from northern Europe. 
• Vancouver Island – Wine produced on Vancouver Island tends to be crafted in small batches, which helps to create a high demand. Winemaking here dates back to the 1920s when wine was made from loganberries. This historic tradition continues today on the island, with winemakers including fruits like cranberries and blueberries into their unique blends. In particular, many wineries and vineyards in the area are located in the Cowichan Valley. This area has a long growing season and low risk of frost as it is protected from the Pacific Ocean by the nearby mountains. 
• The Gulf Islands – This region is a great choice when considering British Columbia wineries and vineyards for sale as it is a major draw for tourists. This archipelago in the Strait of Georgia, part of the Salish Sea, is located between the larger Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia. Fewer than ten of the hundred islands in the region are well-suited for viticulture, but these vineyards and wineries are heavily visited by tourists in the area. These islands have a long growing season, but face challenges due to the arid environment and the difficulty of accessing water. 
• Similkameen Valley – This expansive and breathtaking region creates a particularly unique grape-growing environment. Most of the vineyards and wineries here are centered around two cities, Cawston and Keremeos, as these areas have the best climate and soil for viticulture. This region has an arid, warm climate due to the reflectivity of the rocks in the surrounding mountains. These rocks help to keep it warm in the valley well after dark. The beautiful Similkameen River provides a great irrigation source for many vineyards and wineries here. Additionally, this area’s frequent wind protects grape vines by reducing pests, disease, and mildew. 

Top Wine Grapes in British Columbia

Many fantastic bottles of wine are produced in British Canada, ranging in many styles and flavor profiles. Depending on the area, varieties popular in different regions of Europe thrive in many of British Columbia’s wine regions. 

Top White Wine Grapes in British Columbia:

• Pinot Gris
• Chardonnay
• Riesling
• Sauvignon Blanc

Top Red Wine Grapes in British Columbia:

• Merlot
• Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Syrah