West Canadian/BC wine region

I lived in BC for a couple of years and was thoroughly impressed with the Okanagen Valley region (4 hrs.) east of Vancouver. Not only are the wines surprisingly good (red and whites), but the valley is like a slice of Tuscany...rolling hills and a 60-mile lake right through the middle creating some quality micro-climates.

If ever in the Pac NW, very worthy of the effort across the border. Because of the stupid Canadian liquor laws, you will rarely find any of these wine in the US, but they're making some real gems.

[Jenise]

James, have to agree with you. I'm on the American side of the border but just outside of Vancouver and have visited several times. The reds are still mostly middlin', but the whites have world-class potential.

Because of the stupid Canadian liquor laws, you will rarely find any of these wine in the US.

What are the Canadian laws preventing export to the USA? We see some BC wines in the UK, and Mission Hill was stocked in our supermarkets.

We get Mission Hills here in New England, but that's all.

Peter:

I am not positive but I think the laws/rules in question are those which prevent a winery from shipping directly to a consumer in the US.

I know of some wineries who will not ship to me, a private buyer across the provincial border between Alberta and BC.

However, through their agents product can be shipped and distributed to retail outlets.