When the results of the 2026 All Canadian Wine Championships were announced, one of British Columbia’s most compelling success stories came from one of its smallest wineries.
Nestled in Oliver’s District Wine Village, Apricus Cellars earned an impressive trio of medals: Double Gold for its 2025 Old Vines Riesling, Gold for its 2025 Off-Dry Rosé, and Bronze for its 2022 Sultan Bordeaux-style blend. For a boutique winery focused on small-lot production, the results are a testament to a philosophy built on exceptional fruit, experienced hands and a deep connection to the South Okanagan.
Yet the story behind those medals stretches back nearly six decades.
A Pioneer of BC Wine
Long before British Columbia emerged as one of Canada’s premier wine regions, Apricus co-owner Sam Baptiste was helping shape its future. As a high school student in 1968, the proud member of the Osoyoos Indian Band helped plant the original vines at Nk’Mip Vineyards, laying the foundation for what would become North America’s first Indigenous-owned and operated winery.
That early experience sparked a lifelong passion for viticulture. Baptiste went on to study horticulture, viticulture and enology at the University of Victoria, UC Davis, and colleges in San Diego and Washington State. Since 1990, he has served as General Manager of Nk’Mip Vineyards, earning a reputation as one of British Columbia’s most respected vineyard managers.
Today, that lifetime of knowledge forms the foundation of Apricus Cellars.
A Partnership Built on Friendship
The winery is the result of a partnership between Baptiste and entrepreneur Willy Sabo. Although Sabo built his career in the steel industry, years of family vacations in Osoyoos sparked a love of the South Okanagan, its people and its wines. A shared passion for viticulture and a friendship built over countless bottles of wine eventually inspired the pair to create a boutique winery dedicated to showcasing the region’s exceptional fruit.
The Meaning Behind Apricus
The winery’s name is central to its identity. Apricus, a medieval Latin word meaning both “basking in sunshine” and “delectable,” reflects the founders’ admiration for the South Okanagan’s climate and the quality of the fruit it produces. It’s a philosophy rooted in the vineyard: exceptional wines begin with exceptional grapes, grown under the region’s warm sun and crafted to express a true sense of place.
That commitment to quality is reflected in a saying often repeated at the winery: “You can’t make great wine without great grapes.” Working with premium South Okanagan vineyards, many managed by Baptiste and his team, Apricus focuses on letting the fruit shine in every bottle, whether it’s a crisp Pinot Gris, an elegant Riesling, or a bold Bordeaux-inspired blend.
A New Chapter in the Cellar
The 2025 vintage also marks an exciting new chapter with the arrival of winemaker Kyle Lyons. Raised in the Okanagan, Lyons began his wine career at Sumac Ridge in 2004 before building experience at respected wineries including Liquidity, Stoneboat and Valley Commons, as well as completing a harvest in Australia. After meeting Baptiste and Sabo, he found a shared vision that made Apricus the perfect fit.
His first vintage has already made an impressive statement.
The 2025 Old Vines Riesling, awarded Double Gold at the All Canadian Wine Championships, showcases remarkable purity, freshness and precision. Equally impressive, the winery’s 2025 Off-Dry Rosé captured Gold, while the 2022 Sultan, a luxurious blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, earned Bronze, demonstrating the winery’s versatility across dramatically different wine styles.
Winning medals with three distinct wines is no small achievement. It speaks not only to the talent of the winemaking team but also to the consistency of the vineyards that supply the fruit and the philosophy that guides every decision from vineyard to bottle.
A Bright Future
For visitors exploring Oliver’s District Wine Village, Apricus Cellars offers far more than an enjoyable tasting experience. It tells a uniquely British Columbian story, one that blends Indigenous heritage, decades of viticultural expertise, entrepreneurial vision and a new generation of winemaking talent.
Nearly sixty years after helping plant the first vines at Nk’Mip, Sam Baptiste is once again celebrating a milestone in BC wine history. This time, it’s with a boutique winery whose future looks every bit as bright as the South Okanagan sunshine that inspired its name.
2026 All Canadian Wine Championships – Apricus Cellars
- 🥇 Double Gold: 2025 Old Vines Riesling
- 🥇 Gold: 2025 Off-Dry Rosé
- 🥉 Bronze: 2022 Sultan
Purchase
The award-winning wines are available at the Apricus Cellars tasting room in Oliver’s District Wine Village or online.