Through quality, innovation and sustainability, Monte Creek Winery in the Thompson Valley is turning unique growing conditions into award-winning premium wines.¹
MyVanCity has long been fans of Monte Creek wines and these wines featured here are no exception. Although they have been categorized as summer wines, perfect to sipping, they are much more than that, Monte Creek wines are wines of quality that have been substantially produced from start to finish. These wines transition into any season and can be enjoyed all year long.
We are proud to be supporters of quality wines from Monte Creek and we think you will enjoy each one of these featured wines as much as we did.
2023 Living Land Cabernet Franc
88 % Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot
Sweetly exuberant with snappy notes of candied cherries and a generous spattering of luscious spice supported by well-integrated oak notes.
Dried fruit, structured through to finish with chewy tannins. Dry sweetness.
Our winemaking style is to produce elegant, acid and fruit driven wines that reflect their terroir and that particular vintage. We want to let the fruit express itself rather than a heavier handed approach that may hide the terroir.
Enjoy with grilled vegetables and herb-rubbed halloumi or roasted poultry
The 2023 vintage was a challenging one from beginning to end but thanks to the diligent effort from our vineyard and winery crews we feel fortunate to have harvested a bountiful crop. The season started with a significant winter cold snap that resulted in massive losses of vines and fruiting buds province-wide. The BC industry lost nearly 60% of the year’s crop to this cold snap, with roughly a third of vineyards needing to be replanted due to vine loss. We are grateful that our own vineyards did not suffer such significant vine damage, though our Keremeos vineyard did produce a very light crop. Luckily, our Thompson Valley vineyards produced the largest crop we have ever produced and our grand total tonnage was 10% more than 2022, making for our biggest harvest ever.
Heat and wildfire were also a big part of the story in 2023, with significant fires near Keremeos and Monte Creek. The generous heat made for concentrated and flavourful wines, though we were careful to manage our picking dates such that the wines will retain the freshness and fruit-forward character that Monte Creek is known for. Our team also took every effort to mitigate any quality issues associated with wildfire smoke, including early morning hand-harvesting, careful hand-sorting of every bin of fruit, and a variety of techniques within the winery.
Awards & Accolades
IWSC – 92 points Scents of stewed purple and black fruits mingle with subtle tobacco and oak notes. The palate reveals bracing acidity, red berries, and mocha nuances, framed by firm tannins that lead to a dry, savoury finish.
If you wondering why a wine like Cabernet Franc is here alongside so many lighter wines, it’s because summer is the main bbq season and what goes better with ribs and steaks than a juicy Cabernet Franc?
The smokey bbq flavours bring out the gentle elegance of this wine. Deep, ripe fruit that coaxes rather than intrudes. Well integated tannins bvalance with the freshness of the wine. Smooth and luscious on the palate without the heaviness.
Enjoy with beef or pork ribs covered in sweet bbq sauce or a medley of grilled vegetables tossed in a miso base. Just plain yummy.
$28.99 available online or at the winery.
2024 Living Land Riesling Organic
100% Riesling
Vintage
This year we were fortunate to be among the few wineries in the province with BC-grown fruit. Our Keremeos Vineyard was significantly impacted by the cold snap this past winter, leading to minimal crop. However, our Thompson Valley Vineyards thrived due to the resilience of our cold-tolerant varieties and the extra measures we take to mitigate winter damage, such as using geotextiles and burying the vines. All in all, we harvested about 50% of last year’s tonnage, however, 2023 was a record year for us. The 2024 vintage was more in line with lighter harvests such as in 2020.
While the overall quantity was down, the quality of the fruit was exceptional. Typically, we face challenges like wildfires or drought, but this year we benefited from sufficient rain in June, followed by excellent conditions for ripening during late summer. We had a slightly later-than-normal start to harvest this year, though not drastically so. Although we experienced sporadic rain in the fall, our organic viticulture program proved its strength, resulting in healthy fruit. The Riesling grapes ripened just before the fall frosts while the other grape varieties enjoyed extended hang time on the vine, allowing them to reach optimal ripeness based on specific flavour, acidity, sugar, and tannin targets.
Our winemaking style is to produce elegant, acid and fruit driven wines that reflect their terroir and that particular vintage. We want to let the fruit express itself rather than a heavier handed approach that may hide the terroir.
Sprightly aromas of lime and lemongrass with a hint of ripe pear.
Pair with Spicy Foods, spring salads, goat cheese
It is no secret that I favour Rieslings and this is one that I loved. Looking for the traditional diesel and I wasn’t dissappointed. Also some interesting light stone fruit initially, followed by a touch of citrus making it rather intriguing.
The balanced acidity gives this Riesling a fresh touch adding to the enjoyment on the palate. The wine is pleasantly lingering and will impress Riesling lovers with its depth.
With Rieslings I suggest allowing for a little air time and not overly chilled so the wonderful structure and body of the wine is emphasized.
At this time of year nothing pairs as nicely as a fresh salad of spicy arugula, sliced peaches, basil and a generous helping of Buratta topped with a quality olive oil and a touch of balsamic glaze.
$23.99 available online (2023) or soon at the winery
2025 Living Land Rosé Organic
Flavours of candied strawberry, cranberry and ripe cherry with a luscious full body and tart finish, this wine pairs great with summer sunsets, beach bbq days with salmon on the grill and light summer salads
Awards & Accolades
Silver (90 points) – 2026 Wine Align
Silver – 2026 ACWC (All Canadian Wine Championships)
So much berry and Bing cherry goodness at first sniff. Full bodied with intense flavours and wonderful acidity.
2025 Living Land Sparkling Organic
Light body and zippy acidity with green apple, pear and pineapple on both the palate and the nose, this bubbly will compliment a variety of lighter small bites, making it an ideal aperitif or patio party starter.
Every occasion should start with a glass of sparkling wine. This sparkler has a wonderful acidity that makes it lively and fresh. A variety of Okanagan fruit hits the ose first and then follows to the palate with a delicious finish.
$24.99 available online (2024) or soon at the winery
2025 Living Land Sparkling Rosé
No special occasion is required for this elegant, pretty, bubbly rosé. With aromas of strawberries, citrus and a hint of peach.
Perfect alongside a goat cheese salad and charcuterie boards.
Awards & Accolades
Silver (90 points) – 2026 Wine Align
Silver – 2026 ACWC (All Canadian Wine Championships)
Opening with scents of freshly picked berries and a hint of ripe stone fruit. Perfect balance of acidity and depth. This is a sparkling Rosé that makes the perfect brunch companion.
Enjoy this wine as an apperitif enjoyed on the patio on a sunny afternoon. Or try it at brunch to balance the richness of waffles with whipping cream.
Special pricing of $22.99 available online and at the winery
Vintage 2025
Harvest 2025 was one of the fastest-evolving seasons experienced at Monte Creek. September in particular was exceptionally busy. Once harvest began on August 29th, the vineyard and cellar teams had to set aside all other tasks to focus entirely on the grapes. The rapid onset of harvest was unexpected, driven by warm late-summer temperatures that accelerated ripening across our vineyards.
One of the most striking lessons of this vintage is how differently the Thompson Valley performs compared to the Similkameen. While grapes in our Keremeos vineyard progressed at remarkable speed, Kamloops’s more northerly location—with cooler nights and shorter days—allowed our fruit here to remain on the vine longer. This extended hang time enhanced physical ripeness, preserved crisp acidity, and delivered a freshness that is rare in a warm, fast-paced vintage like this one. Though the wines are still in development and won’t fully reveal their character for some time, the grapes already point to two distinct styles. The Keremeos fruit shows strength and intensity, while Kamloops fruit is producing wines of elegance and balance, particularly evident in the Riesling from our Lion’s Head vineyard.
For us, this is the defining takeaway of the 2025 vintage: our northern latitude, which was once considered a disadvantage, has become one of our greatest strengths. By adapting vineyard practices to our unique climate, we’ve not only managed the challenges of recent years but are now seeing our vines and wines thrive in a terroir that once raised eyebrows. This vintage is a clear demonstration that Monte Creek’s location, combined with attentive vineyard management, produces wines of exceptional quality, expression, and balance.
A NEW MILESTONE IN OUR SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY
At Monte Creek Winery, we believe great wine starts with taking care of the land that makes it possible. We’re proud to be Biosphere Certified, recognizing our ongoing commitment to responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, and a more sustainable future.
What does Biosphere Certification mean? It is a globally recognized certification that celebrates businesses committed to sustainable development and responsible tourism. This certification recognizes the work we’re doing to create a positive impact through thoughtful choices, from supporting local producers and reducing waste to protecting our environment and building a more sustainable future for generations to come. Biosphere Certification recognizes businesses that are actively working toward a more sustainable future through measurable actions aligned with global sustainability goals. It’s about more than a single initiative—it’s a commitment to continuous improvement and making responsible choices every day.
From how we farm our vineyards to how we welcome guests, we’re continually looking for ways to reduce our impact and make thoughtful choices for our land, our community, and the generations to come. Our vineyards are organically certified, and we embrace practices that support healthy soils, biodiversity, and the natural landscape around us. We believe in the power of local impact, supporting our community, showcasing regional products and creating meaningful connections.
For our guests, this means your visit is part of something bigger. From our organically farmed vineyards and land stewardship practices to the thoughtful choices we make throughout our operations, we’re continually working to reduce our impact and protect the natural beauty of the Thompson Valley.
For us, sustainability isn’t just a certification—it’s an ongoing journey. We’re proud to be part of a growing community of businesses working toward a more resilient and responsible tourism industry in British Columbia.
So when you enjoy a glass of Monte Creek wine, explore our vineyards, or gather with friends on our terrace, you can feel good knowing your experience supports a winery that is dedicated to preserving the land, celebrating our community, and creating a more sustainable future.
¹ courtesy of the winery. Read more about Monte Creek Winery on MyVanCity.ca