(Calgaryherald) - Like a prized bottle stashed in the cellar, British Columbia’s wine industry is improving with age. The confidence that comes with maturity can be seen in the way wines are being crafted and promoted.

A perfect example came at the end of March when it was announced that the Golden Mile Bench, between Oliver and Osoyoos, had been awarded its own geographical indication, also known as a sub-appellation.

For decades B.C.’s wine map was drawn in broad strokes with regions such as the Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

Anyone who has toured the Okanagan Valley from Vernon in the north to Osoyoos on the U.S. border will know that the climate and geography are far from uniform. It only makes sense that sub-regions would be created to give wine buyers a more detailed idea of where their wine is from.

Sub-region designations come with age and experience as producers learn what grapes grow best in specific spots. Regions in France and Italy, with wine histories going back hundreds of years, are built on the sub-region foundation. Think of the Bordeaux regions of Pauillac, where the reds are primarily based on Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pomerol, where Merlot comes to the fore. Or in Italy look at Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany for superb Sangiovese and Barolo for Piedmonte’s finest Nebbiolos.

The region named on the label tells you something about what to expect in the wine.

But a successful industry also needs someone to watch over and promote it. That’s where the B.C. Wine Institute comes in. Celebrating its 25^th year in 2015, the organization oversees the British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) program that guarantees member wineries are selling true B.C. wines that meet a host of criteria relating to quality and origin.

“Twenty-five years ago, we needed to implement standards for the industry,” said George Heiss of Gray Monk Estate Winery, one of the B.C. VQA’s founding members.

“Establishing B.C. VQA was the starting point to help move our industry forward. Now, with over 240 wineries in B.C., we continue to be amazed at the growth and feel that B.C. VQA wines are essential to our industry’s growth and success.”

I’ll drink to that. To salute the maturity of B.C. wine, here are three offerings from wineries that have played key roles in the Okanagan Valley’s development.