This has been a truly unusual year for vintners in British Columbia. After a very late BC grape harvest, ending a mere two weeks ago for some wineries, the 2010 Icewine harvest is the 2nd earliest on record (earliest was 2003) with the first frozen bunches being picked on November 22; five days earlier than the previous record, November 27, 2006.

Icewine has been recognized as one of Canada’s signature wines ever since the first vintage at Hainle Vineyards in 1974. This year, twenty-three wineries expressed interest in picking the “liquid gold” and were delighted with the late-November cold snap. The first grapes were brought in early on November 22 at a chilly -11°C (12°F) by Tinhorn Creek Vineyards in Oliver who harvested 1-acre of Kerner.

Tinhorn Creek Winery and Stag’s Hollow harvested Nov. 22 and Summerhill Pyramid Organic Winery is picking, at an icy -17°C (1.5°F) the morning of November 23 as well as Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery and Van Westen Vineyards. The entire 2010 Icewine harvest is expected to be completed by November 25 and everyone at the wineries can then toast to another fine vintage and enjoy the holiday season with the rest of us!

To keep up-to-date on the harvest, simply visit www.twitter.com to follow @winebcdotcom and your favourite local wineries, then search #BCHarvest2010 and #Icewine2010