The dry benchland along the Thompson River between Kamloops and Cache Creek, British Columbia's newest emerging wine zone. Sandy, porous soils force deep vine rooting; summer heat is abundant, but harsh winters demand careful site selection. Early results with riesling, pinot gris, and pinot noir suggest genuine terroir potential above simple novelty.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 92 | Thompson Valley's 2024 delivered excellent conditions for Merlot and Cabernet Franc across the Kamloops benchlands. Clean, powerful, and smoke-free — the finest season for this emerging BC wine region. |
| 2022 | 89 | Sustained warmth through the growing season produced the most consistent Thompson Valley vintage on record. Warm mesoclimates and rocky soils shine. |
| 2021 | 85 | Extreme heat generated the ripeness that Thompson Valley's short season requires. Syrah and Merlot achieved full maturity. A landmark season for the region. |
| 2014 | 90 | Thompson Valley's 2014 was a warm, dry season that extended well into October. The Kamloops-area benchlands achieved strong ripeness in Merlot and Cabernet Franc alongside the region's characteristic aromatic whites. |
| 2013 | 90 | Thompson Valley's 2013 was characterised by an extended, dry harvest that allowed Merlot and Cabernet Franc to achieve excellent ripeness. The Kamloops benchlands delivered wines of impressive structure and concentration. |
| 2012 | 88 | Thompson Valley's 2012 produced wines of good concentration from the Kamloops benchlands. Merlot and Cabernet Franc both achieved solid ripeness in the warm, dry growing season. |