Topographical Overview

 

The property is situated on the central section of a broad shoulder of the Okanagan Valley's east slope.

The property slopes upward at various grades from west to east and includes significant areas which are almost level.

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Bordering to the north is the very steep decent to Matheson Creek, and adjacent to the southern border the land drops off steeply into the McLean Creek valley. 

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The terrain to the east, the uphill continuation of the shoulder, features steep slopes with rocky outcrops mixed with deep draws flanked by rocky cliffs.  Especially during winter and early spring, the local bighorn sheep and mule deer population thrives in this protective terrain and is often seen browsing and resting on the ridges above the arable land. 

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All of this surrounding land is part of large private holdings and does not provide public access.

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Adjacent to the western border, agricultural land is found which descends  gently towards Skaha Lake. (see aerial view here)

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Aside from providing the stage for stunning panoramic views over Skaha Lake and its picturesque surroundings, these natural features, in combination with the absence of direct road frontage along any of its borders except the very north-western corner, create an exceptional degree of privacy and security against unnoticed and unauthorized entry.  

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Micro-topography and Elevation

 

A diverse topography is characteristic for Bighorn Ridge (see View Gallery). The terrain varies from almost level to moderately sloping (and steep in the terraced area) for the arable portions. There are no frost pockets present.

The non-arable land varies from moderately sloping to very steep.

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The gate at Parsons Road at about 50ft (15m) above the Skaha Lake level (1,130ft / 345m) represents the property’s lowest elevation. The yard/lower flat area is situated at about 1,280ft / 390m and the elevation of the highest arable land is about 1,475ft / 450m. The property’s highest elevation of approx. 1,720ft / 520 m is found on top of the rocky mountainside along its eastern boundary.

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Surrounding Land Use

 

The property has a very natural setting in spite of its proximity to the city of Penticton. It is surrounded to the north, east and south by natural land featuring the Ponderosa Pine – Bunchgrass vegetation typical for the Okanagan Valley. The land to the west consists of an exceptionally well managed mixed orchard and vineyard operation which also features a beautiful boutique-style fruit stand during the summer months.

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Exposure

 

The sloping areas of the arable portions have a predominantly western exposure facing Skaha Lake.

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The arable land is classified as  Class 1 (most suitable) in the official BC Atlas of Suitable Grape Growing Locations. 

(To view map, please click here.)

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The atlas ranks a site’s vineyard suitability based on four criteria:

• solar radiation (here),

• growing degree days (here),

• autumn freeze risk (here), and

• soil groups (here). 

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(To view a digital copy of the entire Atlas please click here.)

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Bighorn Ridge is located in and constitutes the southern boundary of the Skaha Bench sub-appellation. For details please consult the technical report "Skaha Bench Sub-Geographic Indication" (2018) (here).

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Besides being a prime location for a luxury estate, the land’s outstanding suitability for the cultivation of demanding wine grape varieties, combined with its location in the heart of the Okanagan’s wine tourism, suggests that an estate winery would make best use of the property’s economic potential.