Oliver,
British Columbia, is located approximately 25 minutes north
of the US border in the South Okanagan. Desert to the south,
lakes, mountains, vineyards and orchards surround the town and
make this area one of the most picturesque places in the Okanagan.
Oliver,
was established in 1921 by BC Premier "honest" John Oliver who
planned it as a settlement for veterans of World War I. An irrigation
system was built and Canada's only desert was soon a lush and
prosperous fruit growing area.
Known
as the "Wine Capital of Canada", Oliver has the largest
concentration of both vineyards and commercial wineries in British
Columbia. The majority of these are located along what is known
as the Golden Mile of Highway 97, just south of Oliver. New
wineries and additional lands are being put into production
in what is expected to be a growth industry for the next five
to 10 years. The rolling terraces, exceptionally mild climate
with lots of sun, gravelly soil and availability of irrigation
produce the right elements for growing high-quality grapes.
The
community of Oliver, located at the northern most point of the
Sonora Desert tucked into the southern end of BC's beautiful
Okanagan Valley, is renowned for the quality of wine grapes
the area produces. Those grown in the favoured "golden mile"
are sought after by vintners throughout British Columbia. Oliver's
climate and topography offer the optimum conditions necessary
to grow the preferred Vinifera wine grapes. The Oliver area
holds 10% of Canada's wineries and just over 3000 acres of the
fine grape growing acreage - 61% of BC's 5500 acres. Oliver
is a must-stop on any Wine Tour of the Okanagan Valley!
But
Oliver is also a great place to spend your BC vacation. Nearby
lakes such as Tuccel-Nuit, Gallagher and Vaseaux Lakes are popular
with visitors interested in canoeing, boating, fishing, windsurfing
and other water sports. Or spend your time hiking, skiing, biking,
fruit-picking, kayaking, golfing at a choice of two championship
courses .... or simply relax!
Accommodation/Adventure
Providers
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City
Information
Location:
Oliver is located between Osoyoos and Skaha Lakes on British
Columbia Highway 97.
Local
Attractions: golf courses, Oliver Museum, Pocket Desert
Reserve, Vaseux Lake Bird Sanctuary, winery tours, ostrich farm
tours, wild boar ranch, Indian Head Cliffs. A
rich human history is recorded in the Oliver Heritage Society
Museum.
Accommodations:
The entire area has a variety of accommodations for the visitor
from camping facilities in private sites and provincial parks
to numerous motels and hotels plus unique lodges and bed & breakfasts.
Population:
4505
Industry:
tourism and fruit production
For
Information:
Oliver & District Travel InfoCentre,
36205 93rd St.
Box 460, Oliver, B.C. V0H 1T0
• Tel: (250) 498-6321 0149 • Fax (250) 498-3156
