17 municipalities opt in
BC groups challenge fishery
Ready for Canucks boom
Searching landfill for woman
Poland urges more spending
Cutting rates at own pace
Israeli strike played down
Full Trump jury seated
World's largest election 
Bitcoin's 'halving' arrives
Lawsuit over missing nuts
Investigating pipeline blast
Warriors ready for Round 2
Kalamalka Bowl cancelled
Rockets live to fight on
Hilton teams up with Sia
Swift still 'can't forgive' Kim
Grimes to ‘cap the disarray’
BC Lt. Gov. Judith Guichon paid a visit to the Howling Bluff Estate Winery in Penticton on Friday to present an award of excellence.
The award was given to owner Luke Smith and his son Daniel for their 2013 Summa Quies Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon.
Smith, who has won twice before for his Pinot Noir, was thrilled to get the recognition.
"The exciting thing about this is my flagship red has won and now my flagship white has won," said Smith, who was joined at the event by several family members.
The morning visit included a brief speech by Guichon, who was quick to praise the Smith family.
"It's a family business," she said. "The family is mentoring the next generation and passing on a love of the land. It's special to see people who are following their passion. He, (Smith), had the courage to drop everything he was doing and start fresh."
Twelve wines in all were chosen for the 2014 Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines.
This year was the largest competition in the 12-year history of the awards, with 436 wines submitted from 119 wineries across the province.
Guichon is visiting the winning wineries this week to present the awards.
They include:
- Hester Creek Estate Winery in Oliver for its Block 2 Reserve Merlot 2011
- Bonamici Cellars in Okanagan Falls for its Merlot Cabernet Franc 2012
- Kraze Legz Vineyards and Winery in Kaleden for its Skaha Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay 2013
- Pentage Winery in Penticton for its Syrah Reserve 2010
- Ruby Blues Winery in Penticton for its Viognier 2013
- Laughing Stock Vineyards in Penticton for its Portfolio 2011
- 8th Generation Vineyard in Summerland for its Riesling 2012
- Okanagan Crush Pad Winery in Summerland for its Haywire Canyonview Pinot Noir 2011
- Wayne Gretzky Okanagan in Kelowna for its The Great Red 2011
- Quail's Gate Winery in West Kelowna for its Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2012
- Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet for its Riesling 2012
"The outstanding qualities of wines in British Columbia impresses our wine judges each year and makes the selection increasingly difficult," said Guichon. "This year's winners represent the best of the exceptional wines from our province."
