In recent years, the value of blended wines has been recognized in a trend reminiscent of the historical evolution of wines.


Blends can create complexity with complementary flavours created by blending two or more grape varieties from the same region.


The huge list of grape varieties


described in this book required over 40 pages just to list the names. Each variety is described in detail according to its parentage, region of cultivation, cultural characteristics, and wine character.


In addition to the classic Vitis vinifera grapes of the Old World, many modern hybrid varieties are described, both from French American hybrids and from modern vinifera crosses. The inclusions have of necessity been brief and I noticed a few familiar hybrid selections that weren’t mentioned. On the other hand, I was surprised by the details of some of the lesser varieties grown here in B.C. For example, Oraniensteiner is a Riesling X Sylvaner cross from Geisenheim that is grown only in one vineyard in Naramata . . . but it produces commercial quantities of wine and is included.


Ehrenfelser is also included in the descriptions. British Columbia’s 30 hectares seems to be one of the best matches for this variety. There are only 91 ha in Germany. Other small plantings are in New York State, California, and Australia. The book contains a wealth of information and is a resource that should be a part of any winery’s research when they are looking for the cultural properties of grape varieties to expand their portfolio into new varieties.


When you pick it up, give yourself a few hours. It’s an interesting read.


An apple box ‘train' on the Wilson orchard in Oliver. From left: Jim Wilson, Sharon Broadbent, Al and Cheryl Wilson, Cindy Broadbent and Wayne, thinking he was conducting the whole operation.


By Wayne Wilson I


n Oliver during the 1950s, the agricultural experience turned almost exclusively around


orcharding. The rhythms and patterns of that life in the post-World War II setting were little different than those of agricultural hearths everywhere — spring planting, summer plant care and irrigation, fall harvests, and winter pruning and a time to plan for the coming year.


By and large, the scale of those South Okanagan orchard operations matched that seen in most other farm settings too. Families divided the seasonal and daily tasks. Where necessary, expedient, or opportune, those farm incomes were supplemented by outside work. My own grandparents ran their Oliver orchard south of town; my grandfather was the postmaster and my grandmother taught school.


In today’s urban modernity, all that is good about those slightly more distant


Looking Back


images seems at risk of being lost for both the individual and for society. That need not be the case.


My proposition is that if you scratch an urban person, two or three generations down you


will probably find a farmer. First, that family farming past is your personal heritage in the land. To use the farming metaphor, why not till the soil for the rich heritage that truly belongs to you? Second, why not strengthen that connection at the wider community level by supporting farmers in their way of life and in their unique capacity to feed us all?


Scratch me and you will see me and my brothers clearing shallow irrigation ditches between the rows of trees and building memories with our cousins as we assemble apple box trains on the orchard’s loading dock. Where is that farming heritage in your life today? If you have photos or artefacts of our rich agricultural heritage, please contact the B. C. Orchard Industry Museum at 778-478-0347.


— Wayne Wilson is the former executive-director of the Orchard Industry Museum and the B.C. Wine Museum.


Canadian Farm Business Management Council


32 British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Summer 2015


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