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BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards Recognizes the Best in BC Wines, Honours Tim Pawsey

(KELOWNA, BC) October 8, 2021 - The 2021 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards were announced last night by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society.

In 2018, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, with support from the Government House Foundation, and the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announced a new partnership to celebrate BC wines with the creation of the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards. “It is a genuine joy to produce this competition each year”, says Okanagan Wine Festivals Society General Manager, Elan Morris, “and we are thrilled to have the continued support of the Office of the BC Lieutenant Governor. We are proud to celebrate the 2021 winning wines and continue to do the important work of placing our BC wineries on the stage they so well deserve”.
 
“I couldn’t be more delighted with the growth in interest, the boost to the provincial economy, and the stellar reputation that fine BC wines enjoy around the world,” says BC Lieutenant Governor, Janet Austin. “This event is a celebration of [BC wineries’] tireless work, [their] commitment to creativity and craftsmanship, and [their] courage in the most challenging of circumstances. [They’re] an inspiration to all of us.”

​The competition, presented by Valley First, TricorBraun, ContainerWorld, and Argus Properties, was open to all licensed BC wineries including those that produce fruit wines and mead. Silver and gold medals were awarded. The top two percent of medal winners received platinum medals, with one wine receiving the 2021 BC Lieutenant Governor's Award for Wine of the Year.

This year’s wine entries faced an esteemed panel of judges from Canada and the USA.
Alder Yarrow – Oakland, CA
Barbara Philip – Vancouver
Brad Royale – Calgary
DJ Kearney - Vancouver
Emily Walker – Summerland
Geoff Last – Calgary
Gurvinder Bhatia – Edmonton
Iain Philip – Vancouver
Mark Filatow - Kelowna
Rhys Pender – Kelowna
Sebastien Le Goff – Vancouver
Sid Cross – Vancouver
Tim Pawsey – Vancouver
Treve Ring – Victoria

After tasting over 800 wines, the judges awarded silver, gold, and platinum medals to 90 BC wineries that were recognized last night during a virtual award ceremony.  Tim Pawsey was also honoured with the 2021 Harry McWatters Founder’s Award.  Tim has been covering the BC wine & dining scene for 30 years and has been an avid supporter of the BC wineries that entire time. He was recognized for his passion about the wine industry and his devotion to increasing the awareness and appreciation of BC wines.

The 2021 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine of the Year Award went to Tantalus Vineyards 2018 Old Vines Riesling.

The top wines that received platinum medals were:

Arrowleaf Cellars – 2019 Riesling
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – 2019 Syrah
CedarCreek Estate Winery – 2020 Platinum Home Block Rosé
Chain Reaction Winery – 2019 Tailwind Pinot Gris
ENRICO WINERY – 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Winery – 2018 Estate Riesling Icewine
Kismet Estate Winery – 2018 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Liquidity Wines – 2020 Rosé
Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine
Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Terroir Collection Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc
Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Perpetua
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2020 Original Vines Sémillon
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2018 Reserve Syrah
Silhouette Estate Winery – N/V Boyd Classic Cuveé
Silkscarf Winery – 2017 Syrah-Viognier
SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Saddle Block
SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Cuveé
SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Golden Retreat
Tantalus Vineyards – 2018 Chardonnay
Three Sisters Winery – 2019 Rebecca

The full list of winners is available at: www.thewinefestivals.com