Surrounded by the striking scenery of rugged, towering mountains, BC’s Similkameen is an excellent place for viticulture. Renowned as the “organic capital of Canada,” this region boasts numerous small farms and producers who are committed to crafting high-quality food and award-winning wines.

Clos du Soleil winery.

The unique climate here is characterized by the retention of heat from the reflective rock surfaces, a very diverse soil composition due to glacial formation, and persistent winds that reduce moisture. These arid conditions, coupled with less disease pressure thanks to the winds, creates an ideal environment for wine production enabling vineyards to thrive with minimal intervention.

Despite these attributes and providing high-quality fruit for many Okanagan Valley wineries, the Similkameen Valley remains somewhat overshadowed by its neighboring regions, much like the towering mountains that encircle it. However, with wineries like Clos du Soleil consistently producing wines that rival some of the best in the province, critics and wine lovers alike are finally taking notice and appreciating the exceptional quality of the Similkameen Valley.

The stunning Similkameen Valley.

Located in the town of Keremeos, on the upper bench of the south part of the Valley, Clos du Soleil takes its name from its natural enclosure created by the mountains. Winemaker and Managing Director Michael Clark told us the winery was established in 2006 by a group of friends united by their love for wine and food and a shared vision of creating terroir-driven wines in the Similkameen Valley. The original founders continue to be involved, along with several other families who have joined the venture over the years.

Michael joined the winery in 2012 after living in Europe where he was trained in winemaking. For him, the attraction of producing wines at Clos du Soleil was a combination of the vision of the ownership combined with a terroir that is unique to anything else he’d seen throughout BC and the rest of Canada’s wine-growing regions.

Michael Clark [credit: Clos du Soleil]

That vision centres around a focused portfolio of primarily Bordeaux varieties and minimal intervention in the cellar. Before joining Clos du Soleil, he was considering anywhere in Canada including Ontario’s Prince Edward County, and Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley. He ended up back in the Okanagan Valley, but it was the owners of Clos du Soleil and what they were doing that ultimately convinced him to choose the Similkameen Valley.

“This really is a unique valley; you can taste something different in Similkameen wine than anywhere else. It’s also more along the lines of the wines I like to drink…there’s more minerality versus primarily fruit. More minerality and herbal character and more savoury characteristics…they’re much more interesting wines for my palate and it’s important to me to make wines that I’m passionate about.”

Clos du Soleil estate vineyard.

Clos du Soleil sources its fruit from 5 vineyards that it either owns or leases. They are all organic and also what Vineyard & Operations Manager Steve Roche describes as ‘minimalist biodynamic’.

“Farming organically is just a good thing to have. For me personally, it’s a moral philosophy too. We’re trying to preserve what we have here and not only preserve it but try and improve it by not killing the soil with chemicals,” Steve tells us.

Vineyard Manager Steve Roche.

“We want to preserve the flora & fauna, the microbes…these are things that make your wine YOUR wine, so if you can preserve that it gives the wine its sense of place. We don’t want a ‘what from wine’ but a ‘where from wine’. We want people to taste a bottle of wine and say ‘it’s got the acidity, the flintiness, the minerality…it tastes like a Similkameen wine,’ that’s what we want. By preserving what we have in the soil, the unique soil is expressed in the wine.”

The soils throughout the Similkameen are incredibly diverse, a legacy of being buried 2.5 kilometers under ice 12,000 years ago. Near the mountains, the soil consists primarily of shale and granite. Closer to the river, it transitions to river rock, round stones, and loamy compositions.

Wines that are distinctly Similkameen.

These varied soils, combined with the abundance of sagebrush, define the unique Similkameen signature. Wines from this region are known for their high complexity, marked by elevated acidity and dried herbal notes.

And, as our tasting notes below will show, no one is representing that Similkameen signature better than Clos du Soleil. As Steve told us, “the Similkameen is a really special place. Our wines are dramatically different because of what we have here.” We couldn’t agree more. Dramatically different in the very best way.

Tasting Notes

2022 Clos de Soleil Pinot Gris

2022 Clos de Soleil Pinot Gris

We are noticing that the Okanagan is increasingly doing a great job with Pinot Gris. And Clos de Soleil can count themselves among the leaders with this variety. The pear flavours create the foundation which has additional layers of flinty notes and dried herbs which form a part of the signature of the Similkameen Valley. The high acid is balanced by the generous fruit and the result is a lively mouthfeel. Very focused. Very good/Excellent  (CAD$26)

2021 Clos de Soleil Chardonnay

Notes of green apple and hints of citrus are carried on a medium body with medium+ acidity. The mineral streak brings precision to the finish. This wine is on trend with the new Chardonnay which is winning over fans of a leaner style and a backlash against the over-oaked, over-done style of years gone by. Very Good (CAD$30)

2022 Clos de Soleil Capella

2022 Clos de Soleil Capella

This blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc is raised in stainless steel and neutral oak. Flavours of grapefruit are delivered on a medium+ body with medium+ acidity. This creates a juicy and very refreshing wine. Lots of complexity as we get notes of mineral and citrus and the valley’s signature sagebrush. Very expressive, we think this is a great take on the classic white Bordeaux. Excellent (CAD$32)

2021 Clos de Soleil Celestiale

This wine is a take on the classic Bordeaux blend with Merlot dominating and Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot joining in the blend. Bright cherry notes are punctuated by the cracked pepper secondary notes. A quite structured wine today, this will be on the up for at least 5 years. The finish is long and infused with notes of dried herbs, cedar and forest floor. Very Good+    (CAD$30)

2020 Clos de Soleil Signature

2020 Clos du Soleil Signature

Another Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blend, this takes the quality level up and presents a very sophisticated and age-worthy wine. The primary fruit in this blend has shifted to blueberry and gains added complexity from notes of black cherry, sandalwood, cigar box and earth. This is high class indeed and would be a great addition to the table, especially if grilled meats were a part of the fare! Its broad shoulders and structured profile assure a long life ahead for those with cool cellars. Delicious! Many BC wineries produce a top drawer red wine that sells of $70 plus. This is right there with them at the quality level but very fairly priced. Excellent (CAD$56)

2019 Clos de Soleil Estate Reserve

2019 Clos de Soleil Estate Reserve

Taking things to another level is the 2019 Estate Reserve. Another Bordeaux blend, but this time Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead. With this wine we shift to black fruit dominance. Blackberry and black cherry dominate the flavour and aromatic profile. Complexity is added by the signature dried herb notes, the forest floor and cigar box secondary notes. With a bit of swirling the wine becomes a little less tannic and the mouthfeel turns quite seductive. This sets a standard for Bordeaux blends form British Columbia. Excellent+  (CAD$65)

2022 Clos de Soleil Saturn

100% Sauvignon Blanc late harvested and made in a desert wine style. We get notes of candied grapefruit and sweet apricot with hints of marzipan. Textured, light and refreshing, this is a delight to drink and would cap off any meal with some hedonistic pleasure! Excellent (CAD$36)

Clos du Soleil Winery

A taste of Similkameen in every bottle.

2568 Upper Bench Rd,

Keremeos BC V0X 1N4

T: (250) 499-2831

H: Thursday through Monday 10am-5pm