The Best Okanagan Wines Under $25

Terry David Mulligan, the vino virtuoso, picks his favourite wines from right here in B.C.

We asked media personality and wine expert Terry David Mulligan for his favourite Okanagan wines under $25

Gehringer Brothers | 2012 Private Reserve Pinot Gris

You can’t do a wine list like this without either starting or finishing with Gehringer Brothers. All of their whites are under $15 and the reds are just some pocket change more.

How about the 2012 private Reserve Pinot Gris ($14.99)? It’s one of those wines that goes great with salads and seafood, or just with friends.

Road 13 – Honest John’s Red, White and Pinot Noir

Here’s a threefer. Honest John’s Red is a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab and Syrah ($19.99). Honest John’s White is mainly Riesling, with four other friendly whites ($16.99). And a big PS – Road 13 just dropped the price of their Pinot Noir from $24 to $18.

Stoneboat Vineyards – Chorus

You can’t forget Stoneboat Vineyards’ Chorus. It won a Lieutenant Governor’s Award and beat all the big boys. This is a serious field blend that includes almost every varietal Stoneboat grows: Pinot Blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Schoneburger, Kerner, Pinot Gris and Viognier. It has big fruit flavours, grapefruit and a hint of honey. It’s an amazing $18.

Tinhorn Creek – Cabernet Franc

Yes, I could list Gray Monk Riesling, Quails’ Gate Rosé, Sperling Market White or any of Haywire’s bargain boxed wines, but I must finish with Tinhorn Creek’s Cab Franc. This beauty has an herbaceous nose, spice and chocolate on the nose and palate. It’s great with BBQ, burgers, ribs and red-sauce pastas ($21.99).

What makes a wine BC VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance)?

BC VQA by the numbers:

  • 100% British Columbia grapes
  • 95% of grapes must come from specific region mentioned on the label
  • 85% of grapes must come from the vintage stated on the label
  • 85% of grapes must be the stated varietal

winebc.com, bcvqa.ca