A Sparkling Toast to BC: Bubbles Worth Celebrating

Posted on Jun 30, 2025


There’s something inherently festive about bubbles.

A promising future in BC.

Whether you’re popping a cork to toast a milestone, pouring a glass at brunch, or simply pairing effervescence with a Tuesday evening, sparkling wine adds a touch of joy to any occasion.

And what better time to raise a glass than on #SparklingWineWeek especially when it coincides with Canada Day? We felt the latter was a great excuse to celebrate with some homegrown bubbles from British Columbia’s sparkling wine scene.

Does BC do Sparkling well? The answer, in short, is yes.

We recently spent time in the Okanagan and were lucky enough to taste a few unreleased bottlings that left us buzzing with excitement. BC’s sparkling wine future is not just promising, it’s already happening.

BC’s terroir is ideal for making high quality sparkling wine.

While BC’s wine scene is still young compared to the centuries-old traditions of Champagne or Franciacorta, the province’s cool climate, dramatic diurnal shifts, and pockets of limestone and glacial till provide a great foundation for traditional method (and other styles) of sparkling wine.

Acidity is key in sparkling production, and BC’s northern latitude naturally delivers that zippy backbone, especially in regions like the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island.

What’s more, BC winemakers are nothing if not experimental. With small production volumes and a can-do, frontier spirit, they’ve embraced the challenges of crafting high-quality bubbles with the kind of creativity and precision that is starting to earn international respect.

Among the BC sparkling wines we’ve tasted, the following stood out and left a lasting impression.

Meyer Family Vineyards (Okanagan Falls)

A freshly sabered bottle of the 2014 Blanc de Blanc.

Meyer Family Vineyards may be best known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but their foray into sparkling wine is worth noting. Crafted using estate fruit and the traditional method, their Sparkling Brut is crisp, vibrant, and expressive, showcasing the same precision and finesse that defines their still wines. With limited production, it’s a bottle worth seeking out.

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars (Okanagan Falls)

A pioneer of traditional method sparkling wine in BC, Blue Mountain has been crafting bubbles for over three decades. Their Brut, Brut Rosé, and vintage Reserve Brut showcase terrific restraint and finesse. These are the wines you reach for when you want to impress, but also when you simply want something reliable and beautifully made.

Haywire / Garnet Valley Ranch (Summerland)

Haywire has long been at the forefront of British Columbia’s sparkling wine evolution, turning heads with their focused, mineral-driven bottlings that reflect both precision in the cellar and a deep commitment to organic farming.

A sparkling view.

Their Bub, a vibrant, dry sparkler, is a fan favourite for good reason: it’s lively, expressive, and effortlessly drinkable.

Meanwhile, the Garnet Valley Ranch Traditional Method Sparkling, sourced exclusively from one of the highest-elevation vineyards in the Okanagan, showcases Haywire’s dedication to site expression and aging potential. Made from organically farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown at the cool, windswept Garnet Valley Ranch, this bottling is elegant and restrained, with finely integrated bubbles, bright citrus and green apple notes, and a chalky, saline finish. Aged on the lees for extended time, it delivers both freshness and complexity.

Coolshanagh (Naramata Bench)

2019 Coolshanagh Blanc de Blanc.

Known for its terroir-driven Chardonnay, Coolshanagh entered the sparkling realm with characteristic thoughtfulness. Sourced from limestone-rich soils on the Naramata Bench, their inaugural bubbly is made in the traditional method, emphasizing purity and texture. It’s elegant, poised, and proof that sparkling Chardonnay in BC is worth watching.

 

Solvero Wines (Summerland)

Winemaker Alison Moyes pouring us a sneak peek of Solvero’s first sparkling wine.

On a recent visit, we had the chance to taste a preview of Solvero’s first-ever sparkling wine and we’re already counting down the days until its release.

Crafted from 2023 Pinot Noir and currently aging on tirage, Solvero’s Blanc de Noir will be a traditional method, single-varietal sparkler with 24 months on lees and minimal dosage. Even at this early stage, it’s showing elegance and great structure, with just the faintest hint of colour. According to winemaker Alison Moyes, “Sparkling wine is a winemaker’s wine. It’s about precision, timing, and knowing your steps.” Her passion shows. This is one to watch when it’s finally disgorged and released in mid-2026.

 

Henricsson Vineyard (Naramata)

Henricsson ‘Sofia’ (left).

We were originally drawn to Henricsson for their outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but discovering their sparkling project was a happy surprise.

Named Sofia after Peter and Kajsa’s daughter, this traditional method sparkler was first crafted as a personal project. Made from equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it underwent five hours of skin contact and secondary fermentation in bottle. With zero dosage, it’s surprisingly plush, with layered texture and a creamy mousse. Disgorged in fall 2023 and now nearly sold out, it’s a wine born of joy and intention.

Unsworth Vineyards (Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island)

cowichan valley sparkling wine

Unsworth Charme de L’ile Rosé.

Vancouver Island’s cool, coastal climate is ideal for crisp, aromatic sparkling wines, and Unsworth proves it with their Charme de L’Île (‘charm of the island’). Made in the Charmat method, this vibrant wine is all juicy orchard fruit and floral lift, with a touch of sea breeze salinity.

Built for oysters, patios, and good conversation, it’s an affordable, island-born expression of sparkling that captures the charm of its surroundings.

Why BC Bubbles Matter

British Columbia may not yet be synonymous with sparkling wine, but that’s changing fast. These wines aren’t afterthoughts or vanity projects. They’re purposeful, well-crafted expressions of terroir that reflect both the land and the ingenuity of the people making them.

Sparkling wine from BC also represents a broader shift: toward sustainability, toward diverse styles and methods, and toward a proudly local drinking culture.

So this #InternationalSparklingWineDay, let’s raise a glass to BC’s bubbling talent. Because when it comes to wine worth celebrating, it turns out the Great White North sparkles pretty darn well.

2 Comments

  1. lwg.mine@gmail.com'

    I only sipped one that you list, and it was stellar. Need to get busy trying to get myself back to the Okanagan to try the rest first hand.

    Post a Reply
    • We hadn’t had too many up until recently and we’ve been suitably impressed by several. Definitely worth exploring!

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