Fort Berens Estate Winery

Fort Berens Estate Winery is the pioneer of one of British Columbia's most unexpected wine regions: Lillooet, the historic gold rush town on the Fraser River where sagebrush benchland and hot, dry summers turn out to be remarkably well suited to growing grapes. The winery was established in 2009 by Rolf de Bruin and Heleen Pannekoek, Dutch immigrants who chose Lillooet over the Okanagan and planted twenty acres on a former ginseng and alfalfa farm in East Lillooet, on the east bank of the Fraser River opposite downtown. Their gamble paid off: the first commercial wines made from Lillooet-grown grapes were released in the spring of 2012, and the winery has since collected medals at national competitions. The portfolio includes Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir rose and blends such as Meritage, along with the 23 Camels wines, whose name winks at a famously odd chapter of gold rush history. Visitors will find the winery just off Highway 99 north of town, where drop-in tastings are available and tours and elevated experiences can be booked in advance. The shop goes beyond wine, with a small gallery showcasing local pottery, photography and crafts, plus wine-infused condiments like Chardonnay jelly. The setting is extraordinary even by BC standards: vineyards backed by the dramatic peaks of the Coast Mountains, with the Fraser River carving through the valley below. For travellers driving the Duffey Lake road from Whistler or following the Gold Rush Trail through the Fraser Canyon, Fort Berens makes a compelling destination, proof that BC wine country extends far beyond its famous valleys and a chance to taste a terroir that almost nobody saw coming.