At Battle Abbey, the experience doesn’t end when the skis come off. As the light fades over the Selkirks and the lodge settles into evening, another ritual begins—one rooted not in speed or terrain, but in patience, place, and time.

Beneath the lodge itself, tucked into its foundations, our wine quietly evolves.

Aging Wine in a Remote Place

Our cellar is not a traditional underground cave carved into limestone—it’s something more fitting for where we are. Built into the foundation of the lodge, the space offers naturally cool, stable temperatures year-round. In a landscape defined by snowpack, stone, and stillness, it becomes an ideal environment for aging wine slowly and deliberately.

A Two-Stage Cellar: Vernon to the Selkirks

Before a bottle ever reaches Battle Abbey, it begins its journey closer to home.

When we source wines from the Okanagan Valley, they are typically cellared first in the north Okanagan—near Vernon—for approximately two years. This initial aging allows the wines to settle, integrate, and begin expressing their full character.

Only then are they brought into the mountains.

By the time they arrive at the lodge, some bottles are entering their ideal drinking window, ready to be shared. Others continue aging beneath the lodge itself, evolving further in our on-site cellar. This two-stage approach allows us to offer a list that feels both mature and dynamic—wines that are ready, alongside those still quietly developing.

A Focus on British Columbia

At the heart of our wine program is a strong belief: wines from the Okanagan Valley stand confidently alongside those from the most historic wine regions in the world.

We’ve built our list to reflect that conviction.

Working closely with wineries, small producers, and trusted partners, we’ve curated a collection that highlights the diversity and terroir of the Okanagan. From structured reds built for aging to expressive whites shaped by glacial soils and warm summers, the list is intentionally focused yet deeply representative.

Varietals include:

• Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc that speak to the Okanagan’s ability to produce powerful, structured wines with finesse. Often aged near 10 years before ready. 
• Merlot in multiple back vintages—showing how gracefully these wines evolve over time
• Pinot Noir that ranges from bright and lifted to complex and cellar-worthy
• Syrah that captures both ripeness and restraint
• Chardonnay and Pinot Gris that reflect the region’s freshness and mineral edge
• Meritage wines that speak to wine maker skill alongside quality farming. 

We’ve leaned into back vintages wherever possible—not to build a large list, but to build a meaningful one.

Built for the Lodge Experience

The wine list at Battle Abbey is not designed for volume.

A long day in the alpine might end with a structured Okanagan red opened alongside dinner. A storm day might call for something lighter, shared casually with friends. A celebration might bring out one of our magnums, poured slowly as stories unfold.

Every bottle on the list has been chosen with that context in mind.

A Small Window to the Old World

While British Columbia anchors the program, we’ve also included a small, thoughtful selection of European wines—primarily from France and Italy.

These bottles are not meant to compete with the Okanagan, but to complement it.

They offer a chance to explore contrasts:

• Old World restraint versus New World expression
• Classic structure alongside modern interpretation
• Familiar varietals seen through different climates and traditions

We often encourage guests to taste them side by side—an Okanagan Pinot Noir next to a Burgundy, or a BC Syrah alongside a Rhône blend. It’s a simple but powerful way to deepen appreciation for both.

Beyond Wine

While wine is central, the broader program reflects the same regional focus.

We feature canned cocktails from Wildlife Distillery, cider from BX Press, and a small selection of beers—including non-alcoholic options. Each has been chosen for quality, simplicity, and connection to place. And of course - a proper espresso every morning. 

A Living List

Our wine list continues to evolve, just as the lodge does.

New vintages arrive, others quietly reach their peak, and occasionally a special bottle finds its way into the cellar. The goal is not to build the largest collection—but to maintain one that feels considered, personal, and reflective of where we are.

In a remote lodge in the northern Selkirks, far from vineyards and cities alike, that connection—to land, to craftsmanship, to time—matters more than ever.

And when the right bottle is opened, in the right moment, it has a way of bringing it all together.