A decade ago, many questioned whether the Thompson Valley could consistently produce premium wine. Today, Monte Creek Winery has become the region’s standard-bearer, proving that its unique combination of warm summer days, cool nights and northern latitude produces wines with freshness, balance and distinctive regional character.
Located just east of Kamloops, Monte Creek farms more than 75 acres of certified organic vineyards across the Thompson Valley while also drawing on fruit from its Keremeos vineyard in the Similkameen. Guided by its Living Land philosophy, every bottle reflects a commitment to regenerative farming, sustainability, and wines that express their place rather than simply their power
The latest releases highlight the breadth of Monte Creek’s portfolio. From lively Charmat-method sparkling wines and refreshing organic rosés to a vibrant Riesling, elegant Cabernet Franc and the fun, blueberry-infused Split Decision sparkling, the lineup demonstrates both the versatility of the Thompson Valley and the winery’s confidence in cool-climate varieties and distinctive wine styles.
Harvest 2025
Harvest 2025 was one of the fastest-moving seasons Monte Creek has experienced, with picking beginning on August 29 as warm late-summer weather accelerated ripening. Yet the vintage also highlighted one of the winery’s greatest advantages.
Cooler nights and shorter days in the Thompson Valley allowed fruit to remain on the vine longer than in the Similkameen, preserving vibrant acidity while achieving excellent physiological ripeness. According to Monte Creek, the vintage clearly demonstrated that its northern latitude, once considered a disadvantage, has become one of its greatest strengths, producing wines with exceptional freshness, balance and regional expression.
2025 Living Land Sparkling Organic ($24.99)
Vineyard & Winemaking
Crafted from certified organic estate-grown Thompson Valley fruit using the Charmat method to preserve bright fruit character while creating a creamy mousse and refreshing finish.
Tech Specs: Alcohol 12.7% | pH 3.50 | TA 9.2 g/L | RS 8.2 g/L
Tasting Notes
Delightful aromas of ripe peach and tropical pineapple lead into a vibrant palate of Meyer lemon, crisp green apple and juicy mango. Fine, refreshing bubbles, bright, well-balanced acidity and a creamy mousse carry through to a long, elegant finish. 91 Points
Accolades
🥈 Silver (90 Points) – WineAlign 2026
Food Pairing
Perfect with oysters, sushi, seafood appetizers, light tapas, or simply well-chilled on the patio with friends.
2024 Living Land Riesling (Fall 2026 Release)
Vineyard & Winemaking
Produced from Monte Creek’s Lion’s Head Vineyard in the Thompson Valley, where cooler nights and an extended growing season preserve exceptional natural acidity and aromatic intensity. Fermented and matured for 4 months in stainless steel.
Tech Specs
Alcohol: 11.5% / pH: 2.96 / TA: 9.1 g/L / RS 7.1 g/L
Tasting Notes
Delicate aromas of citrus blossom and fresh apple lead into vibrant flavours of crisp Granny Smith apple, zesty Key lime and ripe apricot. Bright, well-balanced acidity brings freshness and precision, while a subtle saline minerality lingers through the clean, refreshing finish. 90 Points
Food Pairing
Excellent with fresh seafood, spicy Asian cuisine, sushi, roast pork or grilled prawns.
2025 Living Land Rosé Organic ($24.99)
Vineyard & Winemaking
Produced from certified organic Thompson Valley fruit to showcase vibrant summer berry flavours while maintaining the bright acidity that has become a hallmark of Monte Creek’s cool-climate wines.
Tech Specs: Alcohol 13.5% | pH 3.50 | TA 9.0 g/L | RS 6.9 g/L
Tasting Notes
The Rosé is a deep sockeye salmon colour with berry and floral aromas. Vibrant flavours of candied strawberry, cranberry and ripe cherry with a luscious full body and a touch of tart rhubarb on the finish. 92 Points
Accolades
🥈 Silver (90 Points) – WineAlign 2026
🥈 Silver – All Canadian Wine Championships
Food Pairing
Grilled BC salmon, charcuterie, summer salads, picnic lunches and warm evenings on the patio. The wine even has enough depth to pair with pasta.
2025 Living Land Sparkling Rosé Organic ($24.99)
Vineyard & Winemaking
Made from certified organic estate-grown Marquette and La Crescent. Fermentation was transferred to Charmat tanks while a small amount of natural sugar remained, producing lively bubbles while preserving fresh fruit character.
Tech Specs: Alcohol 12.0% | pH 3.10 | TA 10.3 g/L | RS 20.0 g/L
Tasting Notes
Fresh aromas of ripe strawberry, bright citrus and a hint of peach lead into a lively palate of juicy watermelon and sweet summer berries, carried by a fine, creamy mousse. Bright, refreshing and irresistibly easy to enjoy, this off-dry sparkling rosé is made for sunny patios, afternoons by the lake and sharing with friends. 91 Points.
Accolades
🥈 Silver (90 Points) – WineAlign 2026
🥈 Silver – All Canadian Wine Championships
Food Pairing
Goat cheese salad, charcuterie, smoked salmon, fresh berries and weekend brunch.
2023 Living Land Cabernet Franc ($28.99)
Vineyard & Winemaking
Produced from Okanagan Valley grapes.
Tech Specs: Alcohol 14.4% | pH 3.69 | TA 6.8 g/L | RS 0.2 g/L
Tasting Notes
Inviting aromas of blueberry and dark cherry lead to concentrated flavours of black cherry, ripe plum and dark chocolate, complemented by subtle earthy and tobacco notes. Balanced and approachable, with grippy tannins, fresh acidity and a persistent finish that suggests excellent aging potential. 92 Points.
Accolades
🏅 92 Points – International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2026
Food Pairing
Grilled lamb, smoked brisket, roast duck, mushroom dishes and aged cheddar.
Split Decision Blueberry Grape Sparkling (4-pack $21.99)
Vineyard & Winemaking
One of Monte Creek’s signature wines, Split Decision blends BC wine grapes with locally grown blueberries to create a lightly sparkling wine bursting with fruit, floral aromas and refreshing acidity. Now available in a convenient, ready-to-enjoy four-pack.
Tech Specs: Alcohol 10.5% | pH 3.26 | TA 9.5 g/L | RS 21.8 g/L
Tasting Notes
Fresh, fragrant and just plain fun, this unique blend bursts with aromas of blueberry, lavender and a hint of cotton candy. Delicate bubbles and bright, juicy acidity carry vibrant blueberry and floral flavours through to a refreshing finish. An easy-drinking sparkling wine that’s perfect for celebrating life’s little moments. 88 Points.
Food Pairing
Strawberry and goat cheese salad, brunch favourites, waffles with fresh berries, pulled pork or simply well-chilled on a warm summer afternoon.
Where to Buy
All the wines are available online at the Monte Creek website.
Final Thoughts
Monte Creek continues to carve out a distinctive place in British Columbia’s wine landscape by embracing the strengths of the Thompson Valley rather than trying to imitate other regions. Certified organic farming, thoughtful winemaking and a willingness to champion varieties that thrive in its unique climate have produced one of BC’s most diverse and consistently impressive wine portfolios.
From elegant sparkling wines and refreshing organic rosés to vibrant Riesling and age-worthy Cabernet Franc, these six new releases showcase both the versatility of the Thompson Valley and Monte Creek’s confidence in crafting wines with a genuine sense of place. It’s another impressive lineup from a winery that continues to raise the bar for cool-climate winemaking in British Columbia.