Do Okanagan vineyards use special root stocks for their vines?
For years, Okanagan wineries relied on these grafted rootstocks (typically American species like Vitis riparia, rupestris, or berlandieri hybrids) to safeguard European vinifera varieties (e.g., Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay) from disease and environmental stresses—much like the global solution after the 19th-century phylloxera crisis that nearly wiped out European vineyards.
As a Kelowna tour guide who’s watched the industry evolve, I’ve seen how recent challenges have prompted updates. The severe freezes of 2023 and 2024 caused massive vine damage and die-off (with crop losses up to 95%+ in many spots and 20–75% permanent vine loss in some vineyards). This has led to widespread replanting with new stock, and growers have learned that rootstock choice plays a big role in cold hardiness and survival. Grafted vines can be vulnerable at the graft union (where scion meets rootstock), which freezes easily, causing cracks or death. Some producers are now experimenting with own-rooted vines (no graft) in select blocks for easier recovery—vines can regrow from the base if tops die. Techniques like hilling soil over the graft union for insulation are also more common now.
Compared to the big planting boom in the 1970s and 1980s (when grafted stocks became widespread for disease protection), today’s replants incorporate these lessons: better cold-tolerant rootstocks, varietal shifts, and resilient practices to make vineyards more durable against climate extremes.
On tours, I often point this out—guests are fascinated by how the Okanagan is adapting and coming back stronger. It’s a testament to the region’s resilience!
As of 2026, with replanting well underway, expect even more robust vineyards ahead—join a Red Dog tour to see (and taste) the results firsthand.
Yes, most Okanagan vineyards use grafted vines on special rootstocks, a practice that’s been standard for decades to protect against pests like phylloxera (an aphid-like insect that attacks roots) and adapt to local soils, while controlling vine vigor and improving overall health.
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