Photo: Contributed

The wine grape harvest has arrived in the Okanagan, and B.C. Wine Institute members are feeling good about this year’s crop.

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate viticulture director Troy Osborne said his harvest start date was close to the average, as Chardonnay for sparkling and Sauvignon Blanc for still wine were picked Sept. 4.

“Sauvignon Blanc is always among the first grapes to be harvested for our table wines, with an average pick date of Sept. 6 to 9, so harvest this year is right on track,” Osborne said in a press release. “We are now into the reds, and overall I rate the fruit quality as high. The late reds are expressing nice flavours and soft tannins for this time of the year.”

Cooler temperatures in mid-August and early September have resulted in solid flavour development, beautiful acidity and increased crop, according to BCWI. Sparkling wine grapes were picked at the end of August, about two weeks later than normal.

For more on this story, visit Okanagan Edge.