Herder, 2006 Josephine
Why “The best Bordeaux blend in the Valley,” Noble and Dinn say, made with a classic old-world touch by (surprise!) a transplanted Californian. Fewer than 500 cases were made. Watch for Herder’s tropical, mineral-flecked 2007 Pinot Gris.

Le Vieux Pin, 2005 Apogee Merlot
Why An ageworthy red for committed collectors. Vineyard manager Harold Gaudy is “really serious about merlot, and doing everything right” with the vines, from minimal irrigation to harvesting tiny crop yields. Watch for the 2005 Maestoso from sister winery LaStella (open this spring), an homage to the prized Tuscan Super-Merlot Masseto.

Marichel Vineyard & Winery
Why The beautiful cliffside tasting room at this micro-winery (500 cases) offers stunning views of Lake Okanagan and samples of outstanding 2005 Syrah and 2007 Viognier. Watch for a “true estate opera-tion,” says Dinn. “It was built small, and it’s staying small.”

Van Westen Vineyards
Why Owner Rob Van Westen’s family has been growing grapes on the Naramata Bench for 50 years. “You won’t meet a more gregarious winemaker in the Valley.” (Or—he’s 6’6”—a taller one.) Watch for all the Vs: the Vivacious, Voluptuous and Vino Grigio blends, or a straight-up Viognier.

Elephant Island Orchard Winery
Why What Noble and Dinn call “the best tasting room experience in the valley” samples finessed fruit wines by Miranda and Del Halladay and also sells picnic fixings, so you can unwind and enjoy lunch under the trees. Watch for a new vintage of the Little King this fall, a sublime pink bubbly made from Granny Smith apples and raspberry.

Blasted Church Revered Series
Why Major brain gain is underway at the Church, home to the coolest wine labels. New Zealand vineyard manager Lisa Wambold and winemaker Richard Kanazawa from Red Rooster are quickly “building substance behind the winery’s style,” say Noble and Dinn. Watch for the 2006 Revered Syrah: only 20 cases of the ’05 were produced.

Mt. Boucherie, 2004 Pinot Noir
Why Noble and Dinn proclaim it “one of the best values”: a tasty pinot noir for less than $20 is the Holy Grail. Watch for the juicy, fruit-forward flavours. The 2005 replicates the rare value-quality-pinot triumverate.

Golden Mile, 2006 Black Arts Chardonnay
Why “In the 20,000-case range, they are the leader for quality,” note Noble and Dinn. The Luckhurst family teams with influential winemaker Mike Barthier. Watch for the 2006 Old Vines Chenin Blanc, stylistically Loire Valley: mineral-flecked and redolent of fresh pencil shavings.

La Frenz, Tawny Port and Liqueur Muscat
Why Aussie winemaker Jeff Martin has more than 30 years experience; though his Syrah and Semillon are deservedly well-loved, his quirky side project—unctuous, Rutherglen-style dessert wines—are decadent. Watch for the picnic area by the new tasting room: the Muscat with dark chocolate is magic.

Naramata Bench Winery As-sociation naramatabench.com
Joie Naramata, 866-422-5643 joie.ca
Herder Winery & Vineyard Cawston, 250-499-5522 herder.ca
Le Vieux Pin Winery
Oliver, 250-498-7165, levieuxpin.ca
Marichel Vineyard & Winery Naramata, 250-496-5884, marichel.ca
Van Westen Vineyards Naramata, 250-496-0067, vanwestenvineyards.com
Elephant Island Orchard Naramata, 250-496-5522 elephantislandwine.com
Blasted Church Vineyards Okanagan Falls, 250-497-1125, blastedchurch.com
Mt. Boucherie Winery Kelowna, 250-769-8803, mtboucherie.bc.ca
Golden Mile Cellars
Oliver, 250-498-8803, goldenmilecellars.com
LaFrenz Estate Winery Penticton, 250-492-6690, lafrenzwinery.com

Where to Find It
Wild boar Vancouver area Hills Foods Ltd, #1 - 130 Glacier St., Coquitlam, 604-472-1500, hillsfoods.com. Edmonton area Hog Wild Specialities, Mayerthorpe, 888-668-9453, hogwild.ab.ca. Calgary area Second to None Meats, #3 - 2100 4th St. SW, 403-245-6662, second-to-none-meats.ca. Saskatoon area Specialty Meats Ltd, 827 56th St. E, 306-653-9292, specialtymeats.ca.

Poplar Grove Tiger Blue cheese Poplar Grove, 1060 Poplar Grove Rd., Penticton,
250-492-4575, poplargrove.ca. Victoria area Ottavio Bakery & Deli, 2272 Oak Bay Ave., 250-592-4080, ottaviovictoria.com.Vancouver area Les Amis du Fromage, 1752 West 2nd Ave, 604-732-4218; 518 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, 604-925-4218, buycheese.com.

Carmelis Lior cheese Carmelis, Kelowna,
250-870-3117, carmelisgoatcheese.com.