Anthony Gismondi: B.C.'s Pinot Gris wines have evolved. Here are 5 bottles to try.

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Interestingly, some Italian and French Pinot Grigio/Gris labels have become more fashionable in B.C. thanks to curious local consumers who have grown up tasting many local examples from across the province and are now experimenting with international examples. I guess turnabout is fair play.

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Here is a short list of some of my favourite local Pinot Gris producers: Blue Grouse, Fort Berens, Haywire, Hillside, LaStella, Nichol, Roche, Tightrope, Solvero and Unsworth. Look to our Weekend Wine Picks for a selection of current bottles you should be looking for at your favourite wine shops.

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Weekend wine Picks

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Hillside Un-oaked Pinot Gris 2025, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

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$26 | 91/100

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UPC: 626990092797

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The ’25 unoaked Gris ferments in 100 per cent stainless steel after two to four hours of skin contact, which imparts its subtle light copper hue and enhances its mid-palate texture. Although its slight colour may suggest rosé, it remains a true Gris that opens with notes of white peach, melon, and pear, leading to a palate of pure Naramata orchard fruits, green apples, and citrus pith. Bright, juicy, and aromatic, it’s a pleasure to drink.

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Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Gris 2025, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

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$25.99 | 90/100

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UPC: 626990258957

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Unsworth winemaker Dan Wright is in charge of the winery, and his mainly pure and precise white wines are leading the way. Grown over a mix of marine silts and loam, it has a subtle nose of pear, citrus and minerals that sets the stage for a coastal green apple, citrus white with a saline edge. Stick with the theme and serve it with coastal shellfish.

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Lakeboat Pinot Gris 2025, Kaleden, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

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$26.95 | 89/100

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UPC: 696852078597

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Lakeboat impresses once again with this fragrant, juicy, and aromatic Pinot Gris. The palate is equally inviting, starting with a hint of sweetness and ripe pear and sweet melon flavours, then finishing with a dry citrus note. It’s a crowd-pleaser, making it an ideal match for grilled chicken or fresh goat cheese.

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Lightning Rock Pinot Gris Prochnau Vineyard 2025, Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

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$25 I 90/100

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UPC: 696852137683

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Winemaker Sébastien Hotte eschews commercial style with passion. You sense it immediately in a precise, mineral-driven Gris from Summerland’s Prochnau Vineyard. The mix of pear skin, citrus, and light phenolics draws you into a white wine with style and substance, right through its dry, lemony, textural, desert-scrub-dusted finish. Think Dungeness crab, oysters, and steamed mussels.

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Fort Berens Pinot Gris 2025, British Columbia, Canada

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$23.99 I 90/100

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UPC: 626990125679

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This wine showed well at the National Wine Awards, where it was lauded for its bright acidity and Citrus and mineral notes. Throw in some melon, quince, and savoury notes, and you have a solid pick at an affordable price. It’s a blend of Lillooet and Okanagan fruit that has the electricity to take on raw scallops or a favourite soft cheese. Good value in a northern Italian style.

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The Chefs’ Table Society and its partners are now accepting applications for the Sustainable Seafood Scholarship, which supports chefs, cooks and culinary students committed to responsible seafood sourcing and ocean-friendly cooking. This $1,000 scholarship provides hands-on experience with a sustainable seafood chef or industry expert, and is awarded based on merit, skill, dedication, and passion for sustainability in the culinary field. B.C. residents are eligible to apply by submitting an application, a personal statement, and two recent professional references. The deadline has been extended to July 31.