Winners: 2015 BC Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards

Winners: 2015 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards

BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards judging

The winners are announced by Government House for this year’s Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in BC Wine.

This year there were more wineries awarded than in any previous year. It’s a sure sign of the excellent conditions of the last two vintages. And also a measure of the evolving high-quality of BC wines.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Awards competition is known for bringing some smaller wineries to prominence. This year’s results are no exception. Of particular significance is Enrico Winery, the first time winner in the history of the awards from Vancouver Island.

And the winners are:

50th Parallel Estate 2013 Chardonnay.

BC Wine Studio 2012 Siren’s Call Syrah.

Blasted Church Vineyards 2012 Holy Moly Petit Verdot.

Cassini Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc Collector’s Series.

Church & State Winery 2012 Quintessential.

Enrico Winery & Vineyards 2014 Tempest Ortega.

Ex Nihilo Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir.

Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Winery 2014 Riesling Icewine.

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2012 Merlot.

Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery 2010 “The One” Sparkling.

Platinum Bench Estate Winery 2013 Gamay Noir Block 28.

Red Rooster Winery 2012 Syrah Reserve.

Ruby Blues Winery 2014 Commune Viognier.

Wild Goose Vineyards and Winery 2014 Mystic River Gewürztraminer.

The Lieutenant Governor, Her Honour Judith Guichon, will visit the winning wineries to present the awards during the week of July 20th.

As always I never failed to be impressed by the efficiency and thought that goes into these awards, which are so expertly managed by Marjorie King. This year it was good to have more judges with whom to share the load. It also never ceases to amaze me that the spread of varieties and wineries is so balanced. The results speak to the spirit of collaboration and congeniality that exists between the panel members. That in itself is critical to the success of any serious competition of this kind.

I also hope that the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for the Vancouver Island wine will inspire more wineries from the Island to enter. Hopefully next year will see a much broader representation of Ortega from the widest number of producers possible.

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By Tim Pawsey|2018-06-27T16:44:42-07:00June 16th, 2015|Wine|1 Comment

About the Author: Tim Pawsey

Tim has been covering the food and wine revolution for about 20 kilos. Count 15 kg alone thanks to the blossoming cuisine and wine culture of British Columbia, Canada. His awards include: BC Restaurant Assn. Hall of Fame, Okanagan Wine Festivals Harry McWatters Founder's Award, BC Wine Growers Industry Recognition Award, Vancouver International Wine Festival Spirited Industry Professional award. Tim’s hallmark is seeking out and recommending value wines from BC and around the world that offer quality at every level. He also scopes out noteworthy restaurants that live up to their promises—and often over deliver. For several decades Tim wrote columns in the Vancouver Courier and North Shore News. He currently contributes to several magazines, including BCLS Taste, Vitis and others. Tim is a frequent judge for wine competitions and was a founding judge of The BC Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Wine. He is frequently invited to judge at The BC Wine Awards, and others. Tim has traveled to taste in many of the world’s leading wine regions, across Europe, in North America, Argentina and Chile, Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa.