Larch Hills Winery is a 15-minute drive south of Salmon Arm and is British Columbia’s highest elevation vineyard at 2,480 feet. From the top of the steep south-facing vineyard, you can see the beginning of the Okanagan Valley in the distance. The winery has been in operation since 1997. I had the chance to visit the winery driving back from Golden BC to our home in Kelowna.
The owner is Jack Manser, formerly a forester in Switzerland, who bought the winery in 2005 from founders Hans and Hazel Nevrkla. The non-irrigated vineyard grows the cool-climate varieties appropriate for the location, including Ortega, Madeleine Angevine, Siegerrebe, Lemberger and Maréchal Foch. Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and Merlot are sourced from contract vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. All grapes are crushed, processed, and the wine made right on our premises. Production is around 5,000 cases per year.
“Larch Hills Winery is our family business. I began growing grapes in Salmon Arm in 1997, having farmed in Alberta for more than 20 years. With my son Roman and daughter-in-law Sasha, Larch Hills has become our passion. We do things differently, and it produces wines we’re proud to call our own. As our winery grows, our love for the work grows with it. We share the beauty of what we do with each visitor, and our satisfaction comes with their understanding of what makes Larch Hills special.”
– Jack Manser, (Proprietor)
The Wines
Larch Hills Ortega 2020 ($14.54)
Full fruity flavours of nectarine, peach and apricot with a crisp grapefruit finish. The estate vineyard has perfect growing conditions for this varietal to produce consistently good vintages. Sip with appetizers or pair it with sweet and spicy food like Thai. Larch Hills Winery’s signature wine.
Larch Hills Siegerrebe 2018
Tropical floral bouquet with intense fruit and lychee. Full body wine with round flavours and a pleasant lasting finish. Pairs well with slightly spicy dishes such as coconut curry and shellfish.
Larch Hills Maréchal Foch 2018
Medium-bodied rich cherry flavours. Mild on the palate with light tannins. Accompanies well with flavorful dishes or easy drinking on its own.
Wine Awards
The Larch Hills Winery wines are consistent, reliable and of excellent value. 2013 Maréchal Foch Reserve won a bronze at the 2014 All Canadian Wine Championship. The 2013 Grandview Bench (a blend of Marechal Foch, Merlot & Lemberger) is a smooth wine, equally good on its own or accompanying any flavourful food and also won bronze. The 2016 Ortega was a gold medal winner at the North West Wine Summit.
The winery is open all year round so please check it out if you are driving by.
Note: Winery information provided by Larch Hills Winery.