Who we are

Paradise Ranch Wines specializes in producing Icewines and Late Harvest wines. Our first vintage was 1998, when we produced 8 varietals of Icewine using over 300 tons of frozen Icewine grapes from the Paradise Ranch vineyards. This represented approximately 75% of the entire British Columbia Icewine grape harvest. As dessert wine specialists we are proud to produce internationally acclaimed wines. Recent vintages have won over 70 prestigious awards. Our innovative bottle design, with a window looking through to an illustration of a grizzly bear feasting on vineyard grapes, has also been rewarded with many international accolades. All our wines carry Canada's Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) seal of approval. We are active members of the BC Wine Institute, BC Wine Authority and the BC Grape Growers Association. Reviews 95 Points - "Paradise Ranch VQA Riesling Icewine... elegant, mango notes, vibrant, doughy, zingy, quaffable, welcoming". - Howard G. Goldberg, wine critic at The New York Times, Feb 2004 92 POINTS - "Paradise Ranch VQA MERLOT ICEWINE ranks among the best "red" Icewines tasted to date ... pleasant raspberry-strawberry jam fruit with gentle Merlot tea-herbs and spiciness. Main attraction is terrific acid-sugar balanced on the palate. Sips and satisfies, even as it warms in the glass. Excellent length. Great packaging as well." - David Lawrason, Editor-in-Chief, Wine Access Magazine & First-In-Line e-Report, Jan 2003 93 Points - "Paradise Ranch VQA Chardonnay Icewine... ambrosial, a fruit bowl, doughy and Champagne-like, sappy, swamps the palate". - Howard G. Goldberg, wine critic at The New York Times, Feb 2004 90 POINTS - "Paradise Ranch VQA CHARDONNAY ICEWINE is a big, golden coloured smoothie and sweetie with very ripe peach, toffee and honey aromas, plus some piquant lemon-orange. Full-bodied, viscous and very sweet with well sewn lemony acidity. Alcohol is only 9% so all this mouth feel is coming from sugar, fruit and acid. Very good to excellent length." - David Lawrason, Editor-in-Chief, Wine Access Magazine & First-In-Line e-Report, Jan 2003 "Paradise Ranch 2006 Late Harvest Pinot Blanc wine contains less sugar and acidity than the more famous icewines, but still offers plenty of excitement with its tart green apple, zesty grapefruit and lively lemon flavors. the finish has citrus and clean mineral notes." - Food and Wine Magazine, Oct 2008 "Whistler 2005 Vidal VQA Icewine offers flavours of apricots and peaches, and a hint of honey on the full-bodied palate. It has great balance with a lingering, long finish of luscious fruit. To be enjoyed on its own as a liquid dessert or as an accompaniment to desserts and cheeses." - Debbie Minke, The Publican, Fall 2008 "Paradise Ranch 2003 Late Harvest Merlot, a perfect finish to a perfectly wonderful tasting. You may recall this being one of my BOYs (Best of the Year selections) back in January, and it holds up - luscious, sweet but not syrupy, an excellent, elegant after-dinner drink." - Jurgen Gothe, Georgia Straight, Mar 28, 2008 "Paradise Ranch 2005 Pinot Noir Icewine is very sweet. Wild berry jelly and cinnamon aromas bolt out of the glass. The palate tastes like biting into a candied apple. Bracing acidity balances the richness. Long cherry-filled finish pairs well with gelato. - Northwest Palate Magazine, Highly Recommended, Nov/Dec, 2006 "Paradise Ranch 2000 VQA Riesling has a nose of peach-mango nectar. Lively acids, with an almost green-apple tanginess and a very nice, sweet-tart finish. Very bright and beautifully balanced". Rating: Very Good - Dorothy J. Gaiter & John Brecher, The Wall Street Journal, Nov 19, 2004 "Paradise Ranch has just landed in Atlanta with a nice range of dessert wines. The standout among them, in my view, is the 2000 VQA Riesling Icewine, a luscious nectar of golden sweetness that shows lovely caramel, honeysuckle and exotic spices in the aromas, and dried apricots, nectarines and citrus in the flavors. Brisk acidity keeps the wine from becoming cloying, and it projects the fruit's deliciousness into a lingering finish. Don't overload this gem with a too-sweet dessert, but instead focus on simple cookies, plain cheesecake or poundcake to showcase the wine. VQA stands for Vintners Quality Alliance, a Canadian quality indication. Good stuff, eh"? - Jane Garvey's 'Wine of the Week', Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oct 2002 "Paradise Ranch 2000 Chardonnay Icewine is one for all of you who want to try something different. It's difficult to explain the first time you try this wine. All I can say is please, please try it! An absolute winner." - Jamie Oliver, acclaimed Chef & TV Host, noted on his website in 2002 top of page Awards Paradise Ranch Wines and Whistler Wines are proud to be recognized by our peers as producers of excellent dessert wines...  2009 GOLD Tasters Guild International - 2007 Whistler Riesling Icewine Tasters Guild International - 2007 Whistler Vidal Icewine (listed as PR on site) SILVER New World International Wine Competition - 2007 Whistler Riesling Icewine New World International Wine Competition - 2007 Whistler Chardonnay Icewine Grand Harvest Awards - 2007 Riesling Icewine Grand Harvest Awards - 2007 Vidal Icewine 2008 GOLD Vino Challenge - 2007 Chardonnay Icewine   Best of North & Latin America   Best Dessert Wine of North & Latin America Indy International Wine Competition - 2006 Whistler Riesling Icewine SILVER Vino Challenge - 2007 Vidal Icewine Vino Challenge - 2005 Pinot Noir Icewine SILVER Grand Harvest - 2006 Pinot Blanc Late Harvest New World International Wine Competition - 2006 Pinot Blanc Late Harvest BRONZE Tasters Guild International - 2005 Pinot Noir Icewine 2007 GOLD Tasters Guild International - 2005 Whistler Vidal Icewine SILVER New World International Wine Competition - 2005 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest Tasters Guild International- 2005 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest BRONZE New World International Wine Competition - 2005 Whistler Vidal Icewine All Canadian Wine - 2005 Pinot Noir Icewine Pacific Rim International Wine - 2005 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest Canadian Wine Awards - 2005 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest 2006 GOLD New World International Wine Competition - 2004 Riesling Icewine Tasters Guild International - 2004 Riesling Icewine SILVER All Canadian Wine Championships - 2004 Chardonnay Icewine Grand Harvest Awards - 2004 Riesling Icewine New World International Wine Competition - 2004 Chardonnay Icewine Tasters Guild International - 2004 Vidal Icewine BRONZE Grand Harvest Awards - 2004 Chardonnay Icewine San Fran Wine Competition - 2004 Vidal Icewine Tasters Guild International Wine Judging - 2004 Chardonnay Icewine Westcoast Wine Competition - 2004 Riesling Icewine 2005 SILVER West Coast Wine Competition - 2003 Merlot Late Harvest BRONZE Northwest Wine Summit - 2003 Merlot Late Harvest   "Recommended" - 2005 Vines Magazine Buyers Guide 2004 GOLD American Wine Society Wine Competition - 2003 Merlot Late Harvest Tasters Guild International Wine Judging - 2002 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest SILVER West Coast Wine Competition - 2002 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest BRONZE Indy international Wine Competition - 2002 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest   82 Points - Beverage Testing Institute - 2002 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest 2003 BRONZE Canadian Wine Awards - 2001 Merlot Late Harvest Indy international Wine Competition - 2001 Merlot Late Harvest   "Impressive Icewines" - Hugh Johnson's 2003 Pocket Guide to Wine 2002 GOLD Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - 2000 Riesling Icewine New World International Wine Competition - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine InterVin International - 2000 Riesling Icewine InterVin International - 1999 Merlot Late Harvest SILVER Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - 1999 Merlot Late Harvest Grand Harvest Awards - 2000 Merlot Icewine International Wine & Spirit Competition - UK - 1999 Merlot Late Harvest Japan International Wine Challenge - 2000 Riesling Icewine Malaysian Winex-1 Challenge - 1999 Riesling Icewine Pacific Rim International Wine Competition -1999 A Merlot Late Harvest InterVin International - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine InterVin International - 2000 Merlot Icewine BRONZE Grand Harvest Awards - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine Grand Harvest Awards - 2000 Riesling Icewine Grand Harvest Awards - 1999 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest Indy International Wine Competition - 1999 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest International Wine & Spirit Competition - UK - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine Japan International Wine Challenge - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine L.A. County Fair - Packaging & Design - 1999 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest New World International Wine Competition - 2000 Merlot Icewine New World International Wine Competition - 2000 Riesling Icewine Pacific Rim International Wine Competition - 2000 Merlot Icewine DISCOVERY MENTION Selections Mondiales - 2000 Merlot Icewine SEAL OF APPROVAL Japan International Wine Challenge - 1999 Merlot Late Harvest International Wine Challenge - 2000 Merlot Icewine MOST UNIQUE LABEL SERIES Pacific Rim International Wine Competition -1999 Late Harvest Wines 2001 AWARD OF DISTINCTION- BEST PACKAGING Atlanta International Wine Summit - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine GOLD VinItaly - 1998 Chardonnay Icewine VinItaly International Packaging Competition - 1998 Chardonnay Icewine Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition - 1999 Merlot Late Harvest All-Canadian Wine Championships - 1998 Chardonnay Icewine Atlanta International Wine Summit - 2000 Merlot Icewine SILVER All-Canadian Wine Championships - 1999 Chardonnay Icewine All-Canadian Wine Championships - 1998 Pinot Blanc Icewine Atlanta International Wine Summit - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine Canadian Wine Awards - 1999 Merlot Late Harvest London International Wine & Spirits Competition - 1998 Chardonnay Icewine San Francisco International Wine Competition - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - 1998 Chardonnay Icewine Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - 1999 Chardonnay Icewine Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - 1998 Gewurztraminer Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - 1999 Riesling Icewine New World International Wine Competition - 1999 Merlot Late Harvest BRONZE All-Canadian Wine Championships - 1999 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest All-Canadian Wine Championships - 1999 Merlot Late Harvest All-Canadian Wine Championships - 1998 Verdelet Icewine Canadian Wine Awards - 2000 Chardonnay Icewine San Francisco International Wine Competition - 2000 Merlot Icewine Chardonnay du Monde - 1998 Chardonnay Icewine COMMENDATION London International Wine & Spirits Competition - 1998 Gewurztraminer Icewine 2000 DOUBLE GOLD American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1998 Chardonnay Icewine BEST ICEWINE LABEL BC Wine Industry Competition BEST of SHOW - Most Unique Wine Label Pacific Rim International Wine Competition GOLD American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1999 Chardonnay Icewine American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1998 A Pinot Blanc Icewine BC Wine Industry Competition - 1998 Chardonnay Icewine SILVER American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1999 Chardonnay/Riesling Late Harvest BC Wine Industry Competition - Total Package Competition BC Wine Industry Competition - Domestic Label Competition BC Wine Industry Competition - 1998 Pinot Blanc Late Harvest BC Wine Industry Competition - 1998 Riesling Late Harvest Washington Wine Society Show - 1998 Pinot Blanc Icewine BRONZE American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1998 Vidal Icewine American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1998 Vidal Late Harvest American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1998 Riesling Late Harvest American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1998 Pinot Blanc Late Harvest American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1999 Riesling Icewine American Wine Society Wine Competition - 1998 Gewurztraminer Icewine 1999 GOLD Indy International Wine Competition - 1998 Vidal Icewine Indy International Wine Competition - 1998 Pinot Gris Icewine Indy International Wine Competition - 1998 Riesling Late Harvest SILVER Indy International Wine Competition - 1998 Pinot Blanc Icewine Indy International Wine Competition - 1998 Verdelet Icewine Indy International Wine Competition - 1998 Pinot Blanc Late Harvest BRONZE Indy International Wine Competition - 1998 Gewurztraminer Icewine Indy International Wine Competition - 1998 Vidal Late Harvest top of page Packaging The pride and care we take in the production of our fine wines is also e evident in our innovative, award-winning packaging. Our packaging is the best in the wine industry, and we have been recognized for our dedication and efforts with several awards: Gold - VinItaly International Packaging Competition 2001 Gold & Best of Show - New World Wine Packaging 2001 Best Icewine Label - British Columbia Wine Industry Competition 2000 Best of Show & Most Unique - Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2000 The bottles are crafted in Italy - producer of the world's finest glass. The original illustration of a grizzly bear is screen printed directly onto the back of the bottle and viewed through the clear window on the front. The illustration of a grizzly bear feasting on vineyard grapes exemplifies the hazards of producing Icewines from vineyards surrounded by Canadian wilderness. Looking through the clear window to the bear nibbling on grapes under the moonlight, one is drawn into the rugged wilderness and the unique conditions that accompany Icewine production. In 1998, many tonnes of Icewine grapes were lost to bears. After carefully protecting the 1999 crop through the autumn and early winter, over ten tonnes of Merlot Icewine grapes were lost to a herd of fifty elk only fives days before harvest in January of 2000. 2005 Pinot Noir Icewine "The darker berry and caramel palate of most Pinot Noir Icewines make them the perfect accompaniment to dark chocolate desserts or as a standalone sipper post-supper. Try the Paradise Ranch 2005 Pinot Noir, the cranberry, cinnamon and pecan aromas are enough to incite a night full of lust." Anya Levykh, metronews.ca, Feb 12, 2009 top of page