I had a chance to photograph some of the grape harvest and winemaking activity around Osoyoos. I also had a chance to sample some of the product, which is very, very good.
Osoyoos, in the South Okanagan, grows grapes for some of the best wines in Canada with its ideal climate and soil conditions. The numerous microclimates allow a wide variety of grapes to be grown.
Kuldeep Dhaliwal harvests grapes at GK Farm on the East Bench of Osoyoos. The farm supplies grapes to Moon Curser Vineyards. (Richard McGuire photo)
Winemaker Chris Tolley at Moon Curser Vineyards shows the giant tanks where juice from the grapes is collected prior to making wine. (Richard McGuire photo)
Grapes ripen in a vineyard, soaking up rays of mid-October sun. (Richard McGuire photo)
Randy Picton (left), winemaker at Nk’Mip Cellars, looks on as a hose empties fresh grape juice into a tall steel storage tank. (Richard McGuire photo)
An auger spins, pulling grapes into a large hose. (Richard McGuire photo)
Aaron Crey, cellar supervisor at Nk’Mip Cellars, (left) and Sarah Elsom, cellar hand from New Zealand (right) share a joke while sorting grapes. In the background is Justin Hall, assistant winemaker and Osoyoos Indian Band member. (Richard McGuire photo)
Aaron Crey, cellar supervisor at Nk’Mip Cellars, uses a fork to empty grapes from a bin onto a conveyor. In the background, Justin Hall and Sarah Elsom sort through the grapes removing any stems and leaves. (Richard McGuire photo)
Randy Picton (left), winemaker at Nk’Mip Cellars, lends a hand removing stems from grapes on a conveyor. While most grapes at Nk’Mip are harvested by hand, this batch was machine picked, a process that results in more stems. Also helping are Justin Hall and Sarah Elsom. (Richard McGuire photo)
Kuldeep Dhaliwal empties a pail of grapes into a bin at GK Farm on the East Bench of Osoyoos. The farm supplies grapes to Moon Curser Vineyards. (Richard McGuire photo)