The Okanagan Falls winery celebrates 20 years of irreverence 

Blasted Church’s label for its 2002 Pinot Gris depicted well-known characters in the B.C. wine industry like Vitis writer Tim Pawsey. Image courtesy of Blasted Church Vineyards

How else would a winery named for an unholy explosion celebrate a major milestone than with a Seven Deadly Sins party? That’s just what the team at Blasted Church Vineyards did in August to mark 20 years of operations in OK Falls, as well as a bright future under new ownership.

Proprietor Sean Morrison and winemaker Evan Saunders welcomed guests for an epic party that started, as it should, with sparkling wine sabering. But it was also an opportunity to remember some of the quirkiest and most memorable wine labels ever to adorn a bottle of B.C. wine. 

Image courtesy of Blasted Church Vineyards

The Campbell family acquired Prpich Hills Winery and Vineyard in 2002 and named their new winery on the Skaha Bench Blasted Church Vineyards in honour of a famed local house of prayer that was demolished by controlled blast in 1929. In fitting tribute, the original wine labels, illustrated by Whitehorse-based artist Monika Melnychuk, featured cheekily religious motifs. The 2002 Pinot Gris, for instance, depicted well-known characters in the B.C. wine industry like Vitis writer Tim Pawsey attending mass. 

Two decades later, the winery is still a place of irreverence, but with terrific wines, and the occasional epic party. Amen to that.

Vitis Magazine

Vitis is is an indispensable seasonal guide for vintners, sommeliers and weekend imbibers alike that is dedicated to British Columbia’s rapidly evolving wine culture.