This view is one of the most iconic in the Okanagan Valley. Vineyards cascade down the hillside toward Vaseux Lake, while McIntyre Bluff towers in the distance. It is a landscape that has become synonymous with Okanagan Falls and with one of British Columbia’s most respected wineries: Blue Mountain Vineyards and Cellars.
The scene is so distinctive that it appears on Blue Mountain’s wine labels, making them instantly recognizable to wine lovers across the province and beyond.
The property was purchased in 1971 by Ian and Jane Mavety. At the time, the family grew hybrid grape varieties for the local “jug wine” industry. Like many BC growers, they embraced significant change during the 1980s and early 1990s, transitioning to premium vinifera grapes as the province’s wine industry evolved.
Ian and Jane planted the vineyard in 1971 and began replanting with vinifera varieties in 1985. Drawing inspiration from Burgundy and Alsace, they selected grape varieties they believed were best suited to the site’s terroir. The winery officially opened in 1992 with Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir from the 1991 vintage. These were soon followed by the 1991 Blue Mountain Brut and a 1993 Chardonnay.
Today, the winery remains family-owned. Founding winemaker Ian Mavety passed the winemaking reins to his son Matt in 2005, while daughter Christie serves as Director of Sales and Marketing.
Few families know their land as intimately as the Mavetys. The vineyard is planted at high density, with vines spaced approximately one metre apart, a practice more commonly associated with Burgundy. The vines are kept low to the ground, and a specialized tractor straddles multiple rows to navigate the tightly planted blocks.
The winery also favours wild fermentations whenever possible, allowing the vineyard’s character to express itself naturally in the wines.
As Blue Mountain notes:
“Our South Okanagan vineyard microclimate is a dream for creating a particular style and quality of cool-climate wine. Our site delivers wine with great minerality and acidity, with fruit freshness offset by a unique, cellar-worthy richness that can only be described as Blue Mountain.”
The winery’s philosophy centres on sustainable farming and minimal intervention. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-grown fruit sourced from a single contiguous vineyard site.
According to the winery:
“We believe that great wine is made in the vineyard. At Blue Mountain all of our wines are made from estate-grown grapes, a single contiguous site with unique microclimates that are apparent in each vineyard block. Our dry climate allows for low-intervention vineyard practices, reducing the need for sprays. We focus on soil health through cover crops, composting and encouraging biodiversity in the vineyard.”
The winery’s commitment to sustainability extends to everyday operations. Electric bicycles are commonly used to move quietly through the vineyard while minimizing environmental impact.
Blue Mountain’s winemaking approach is equally hands-on:
“Our fruit is hand-picked and sorted, and racked by gravity from barrel to barrel. It is our singular belief in cultivating the best fruit we can every season with minimal intervention. Fastidious attention to detail allows us to make wines of a consistent and precise nature.”
All wines are estate-produced, with no outside grapes purchased. The winery farms approximately 90 acres of vines, specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, and traditional-method sparkling wines. Smaller plantings of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc round out the portfolio. Every grape is hand-harvested.
Blue Mountain has built a long-standing reputation for producing highly sought-after wines, particularly its sparkling wines and Pinot Noir.
Recently, Christie Mavety guided guests at Franco’s Liquor Store through a tasting of five wines that showcased the breadth of the winery’s portfolio.
Brut Gold Label NV
The Brut Gold Label is a blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay. The base wines are fermented separately before blending and bottling for secondary fermentation. The wine then spends 24 months on its lees, developing complexity, texture, and a creamy mouthfeel before disgorgement.
Bright and crisp, it displays citrus, toast, and brioche notes, supported by a fine mousse and refreshing acidity. The fruit comes from vines averaging 18 to 19 years of age.
The winery describes it as:
“The Brut Gold Label has a fine mousse, with lemon and toasty character on the nose and across the palate, with a crisp lemon finish. The wine is made in the Méthode Traditionnelle style with 100% estate-grown grapes, all hand-harvested.”
Sauvignon Blanc 2025
$27.99
A delicious and expressive Sauvignon Blanc that bridges New Zealand vibrancy and Old World restraint. Fruit from 40-year-old vines contributes depth and concentration.
Approximately 30 percent was fermented and aged in stainless steel, while the remainder was fermented and aged in large oak foudres. The large-format oak adds texture and complexity without imparting noticeable oak flavour.
The winery notes:
“This Sauvignon Blanc displays complex flavours of boxwood, chamomile and melon. A full mouthfeel follows through with lime, green apple and bright acidity.”
Pinot Blanc 2025
$27.99
Produced from 40-year-old vines that continue to perform exceptionally well, this Pinot Blanc offers excellent balance and texture.
Fermentation occurred in a combination of stainless steel, 500-litre French oak barrels, and large foudres, creating a layered and creamy mouthfeel while preserving freshness.
According to Blue Mountain:
“This Pinot Blanc displays layered flavours of stone fruit, white peach, and floral notes. A rich mouthfeel carries peach and pear flavours through the palate with a touch of minerality and juicy acidity.”
Gamay Noir 2023
$35.99
Blue Mountain has earned a strong reputation for Gamay Noir, and this wine demonstrates why.
Naturally fermented in stainless steel and made without carbonic maceration, it delivers bright fruit character alongside savoury complexity.
The winery describes it as:
“This wine offers enticing aromas of bright red fruits, raspberry, and spice. Dark cherry and blackcurrant are complemented on the palate by bright acidity and a savoury, salty finish.”
Pinot Noir Reserve Cuvée 2023
$51.99
The fruit for this reserve bottling comes from three distinct vineyard blocks, each contributing different characteristics to the final blend.
One east-facing site produces vibrant red fruit flavours, while a southwest-facing block contributes riper red and dark fruit notes along with savoury complexity. A second southwest-facing parcel with gravelly soils adds minerality and structure.
Blue Mountain describes the wine as:
“A harmonious blend of three key Pinot Noir vineyard blocks within our estate, the Reserve Cuvée Pinot Noir is a combination of careful fruit cultivation and skillful blending. The selection of fruit from vines that are 26 years and older converges in the glass to deliver a cellar-worthy Pinot Noir that is reflective of both vine age and our winemaking experience.”
To accompany the wines, Luigi served fussiloni topped with kale purée, chilli flakes, olive oil, mint, Pecorino, whipped ricotta, toasted breadcrumbs, and a balsamic reduction. The dish paired beautifully with the lineup, particularly the Pinot Blanc and Gamay Noir.
Blue Mountain Vineyards and Cellars is located at:
2385 Allendale Road
Okanagan Falls, BC