Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars

In 1971, the Mavety family were pioneers in Okanagan when they established Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars. For 40 years, three generations of the Mavety family have been farming grapes in the southern Okanagan Valley, one of Canada’s most spectacular geographical regions. A series of glacial lakes and rivers comprises the valley, each surrounded by cliffs of granite, making for magical scenery and virtually perfect conditions for grape growing. The soils vary widely from the northern to the southern ends of the valley, but are generally comprised of well-drained glacial moraines and sedimentary erosion deposits.

The extremely dry climate eliminates the concerns that most vignerons face: rot, mildew and rains at bud break or at harvest. This allows Blue Mountain to minimize most crop applications and employ organic and sustainable practices to produce beautiful fruit. Several soil fertility concepts have been developed which are unique to the vineyard; diversification of cover crops and use of on-farm composting. Cover crops are used to maintain a diversity of flora and fauna in the vineyard, protect the soil from erosion and compaction, and improve the overall soil fertility.

Today, on its 31-hectare estate, Blue Mountain makes limited quantities of complex wines from noble varietals including Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay — the same varietals found in the Champagne, Burgundy and Alsace regions of France. In the vineyard, methods favour low crop yields to concentrate and intensify flavours. While using modern equipment in the winery, wine making is respectful of traditional methods.