Wines of Canada writers

Seven Stones winery in the Similkameen continues its succes with their 2008 Cabernet Franc. This wine won a gold medal at the All Canadian Wine Championships and a silver medal at the Northwest Wine Summit Competition in May just a few weeks after being bottled! The nose features fragrances of plum, black pepper, raspberry and toasty vanilla. Layers of elegant and well structured flavors of raspberry, coffee and cocoa on the mid-palate are followed by a soft and spicy supple finish. It’s simply a marvelous Cabernet Franc! They recommend cellaring this wine as it will get even better with time! It was aged for 17 months in new French barrels. Only 90 cases were produced . Winemaker George Hanson

One one the Okanagan outstanding Wineries.

Construction continues on Tinhorn Creek Restaurant

OLIVER TWIST WINERY ……. They will be releasing two new reds on October 1st, to coincide with the start of the festival. They are our 2008 Merlot and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet is a very limited release as they only have 60 cases of it.

2008 Merlot has a lovely nose of black cherry, vanilla, blackberry and a hint of smoke. Luscious flavours of black cherry, vanilla, berries, with a toasty finish. Delicious served with meat dishes, cheeses or dark chocolate!

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon has a delectable fragrance of black cherry, pepper, blackberry, blueberry, bell pepper, exotic spices, vanilla, cinnamon and some subtle oak. It has luscious flavours of vibrant black cherry, soft tannins with a spicy finish. Delicious with roast lamb, wild game, beef casseroles and stews, hard cheeses and rustic breads.

For the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, their event is 'Cheese, Chocolate and Crush!'. Join them in their tasting room for some wine pairings with cheese and chocolate. Each day they will feature a different pairing. Following the tastings, head outdoors to watch the winemaking process begin with the crushing of the newly-picked grapes. Their picnic area overlooks the crush pad, so bring a lunch with you and relax while you watch. They also have picnic packs on sale in the tasting room, offering crackers, cheese, cookies and nuts. They do suggest calling ahead to see whether crush is happening that day - it's all up to Mother Nature after all!

In the vineyard, earlier this spring Le Vieux Pin completed new plantings of Syrah and Viognier on the Estate Vineyard and continued the training of the other Rhone varieties they planted last year: Marsanne and Roussanne.

Have you had the "Feenie's blend" yet?
Le Vieux Pin had tons of fun working with Cheif Rob Feenie and his team, to assemble a blend to be sold exclusively at Cactus Club Cafe's in all of BC and Alberta Locations. This unique white blend will pair beautifully with many of Chef Feenie's signature dishes. Feenie’s Blend, an easy-drinking white wine, soft and subtle in its acidity, with hints of pineapple and pear.

Named after the majestic old pine tree found on the vineyard site in Oliver BC, the Le Vieux Pin is dedicated to making their wines in the old French tradition (with the help of the latest technology and techniques!) Because this wine was made completely hands on, it is extremely rare and available at only select venues. With varietals that include:Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, this proprietary wine pairs well with all of Rob Feenie’s menu offerings.

At the winery, staff and crew have also been busy with several different projects. They started the assembly of the wines as part of their Rhone program (release of 2011). They are going to release Viognier-Roussanne, Syrah and the coveted Equinoxe Syrah in the new year. Truly mind boggling and complex wines that will surely start a cult following.

Another project was listening and delivering on what their followers and customers have been asking for: a Tuesday night wine! A wine that adheres to the same care and philosophy of their upper tier wines but meant for earlier drinking and something that provides immense pleasure without putting a dent in the wallet.

Two wines will be released as part of their "Petit" Le Vieux Pin line up. A pinot noir cluster of grapes that will be destined forVaila Rose

Petit Le Vieux Pin Blanc & Rouge
2009 Petit Le Vieux PIn Blanc
price: $22.00

The second release of this extremely popular wine. Their goal was simple: Alchemy. They fused a few unlikely suspects: Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Blanc, Roussanne and Sauvignon Blanc to create a unique, aromatic, crisp and dry white that is versatile and plays off many different types of dishes. The lower alcohol content of this wine at 13.2%, makes it dangerously attractive for picnic, patio and al fresco meals.

2008 Petit Le Vieux Pin Rouge
price: $24.00

This is the inaugural release of this wine. As most of their reds were crafted with cellar aging in mind, their goal was to make a wine that is more readily accessible in its youth, yet can benefit from short cellaring. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon make up most of the blend while Pinot noir makes its presence known. Merlot fills out the mid palate and brings lushness. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure and depth to the mix while lifting the acidity. Pinot Noir softens the tannins and brings a melange of red fruit to a black fruit dominated blend.

CON-FUSION is a newly released wine and has already become the favorite in the wineshop. Last year it was called Fusion but this year they couldn’t use the name as there are wines from Argentina and Vancouver Isl. with the same name. They had to change. So why Con-Fusion? The definition of Fusion for winemaking is the act, or art of blending two or more wines together to create an energetic reaction on your palate. Con-Fusion is the feeling one gets when trying to determine those individual flavors bursting on your tongue from this energetic reaction! A blend of 6 aromatic grapes, this wine has a beautiful bouquet with many similar characteristics to the Tragically Vidal. Visit their website www.stagshollowwinery.com for more info.

Because of the popularity of their Tragically Vidal, a few years ago they started converting the Chardonnay back to Vidal. They will have more this year with even more in the future. Any remaining Chardonnay will become a part of their Con-Fusion.

Stags Hollow new red wines released lately are:

2007 SHV Merlot – fruit forward, smooth and ready to drink now
2007 The Heritage Block – if you liked the 2006, you’ll like this one even more
2008 Pinot Noir – a spicy, fruit driven Pinot with great complexity

LAKE BREEZE WINERY A Naramata Bench Wine Farm

The Seven Poplars Wine Series Released September 1st.
The reserve label includes:
2009 Chardonnay - 231 cases produced
Six months in new French oak barrels - great fruit intensity. $24.90

2008 Pinot Noir - 580 cases produced.
A rich & full Pinot with beautiful cherry & plum. One year in French oak. $24.90

2008 Pinotage - 56 cases produced
This South African grape variety has been a Lake Breeze favourite for many years. $29.90

2008 Merlot - 360 cases produced.
Full bodied with lush, ripe berry flavours and nicely integrated oak. $24.90

2007 Tempest - 176 cases produced.
Classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon with 16 mos. in barrel. $34.90

2004 Zephyr Brut
Lake Breeze have 60 cases of the 2004 Zephyr Brut available, and first dibs is going out to their mailing list. If you have ever tasted their bubbly - though it has been hard to get a hold of - you know this is a fantastic wine made in the traditional methode classique. It took the demolition of the old house on the property to bring about this offering - we had forgotten all about the 60 cases deep in the cellar of the house, but luckily it escaped the wrecking ball.

The Naramata Bench Wineries are coming to The Vancouver Art Gallery and presenting, for the first time, our SIMPLY RED event to the public. Traditionally this has been a trade event for the food & wine industry, but this year they are pleased to announce a consumer event. As the name suggests, this is simply a tasting showcasing the new reds of the season. Dinner reservations are suggested for before or after the event. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at www.naramatabench.com

Sumac Ridge They were the first Estate Winery to produce a "Methode Classique" sparkling wine in Canada and Sumac Ridge continues to produce innovative sparkling wines in the Okanagan Valley. This year they are proud to introduce their new Sparkling Rosé and Sparkling Gewürztraminer. Join Winemaker, Jason James as he shares some of the secrets in producing this “Classique” favourite. This five course Wine and Food experience will showcase the versatility of how their Sparkling wines pair exquisitely with local ingredients prepared by Estate Winery Chef Ryan Fuller and his culinary team. Guests may also have the opportunity to experience a comparison with a winery favourite (non-sparkling wine).

If you are going to be in the Okanagan this September or October, be sure to stop by at Black Hills and try their new “Tasting Experience”. It is a great way to learn more about their wines and the vineyards that they come from. You even get to enjoy a “behind the scenes” tour of the winery and experience a barrel tasting of t 2009 Syrah. For only $20.00, the Tasting Experience is a great value.

On Saturday Oct. 2, 2010 we will be hosting a special celebration to commemorate the 10th anniversary vintage of our beloved Nota Bene. We have three different events that will be honouring this occasion. All of them will be taking place right at the winery on during the Fall Wine Festival.

The Working Vineyard Experience (9 am to 1:00 pm) Come on out, roll up your sleeves and have some fun working in the Black Hills vineyard during Fall Harvest. Your morning starts off with a short lecture called Vineyard 101 to give you the basics on what goes on in the vineyard. This will be followed by a walking and a sensory tasting tour of the vineyard. During this unique experience called “Wine & Grape Pairing”, you will get to taste their various grapes right off the vine. Then you can compare them to the taste of the finished wine of that varietal from a previous vintage. Then if conditions permit, their Vineyard Manager will then carefully guide you as you help pick bunches of the precious grapes from select rows of vines. A total hands-on experience! After all of that hard work, you will visit the winery for a winery tour and a sneak preview Barrel tasting. This will be followed by a light Alfresco Vineyard Picnic, paired with two glasses of Black Hills wine, including their Alibi and Nota Bene. Ticket price includes bragging rights, vineyard picnic lunch and wine for $75.00 per person.

10-year Vertical Tasting of Nota Bene (2:00 pm to 4:00 pm) For the first time ever, Black Hills are conducting a rare, guided tasting of each single vintage of Nota Bene from 1999 to 2008. As well, the lucky participants will get a sneak preview barrel sample of the 2009 Nota Bene. This special wine experience will be conducted by Black Hills President Glenn Fawcett and Winemaker Graham Pierce. It will be staged in the beautiful new vineyard lounge at the Black Hills Estate Winery. Prior to the tasting, you will enjoy a walking tour of the vineyard to help you gain appreciation for where the grapes of their single-vineyard wine came from. Then you will get a “behind the scenes” visit to the winery and experience all the excitement of the winemaking team right in the middle of Fall Crush. Tickets are limited and are only $150.00 per person.

Double Magnum Private VIP Reception & Pool party (4:00 pm to 7:00 pm) Join Black Hills for a unique wine tasting celebration and poolside BBQ at the owners private Vineyard Residence. To mark the occasion they are digging deep into their Wine Library and pulling out some rare vintage bottles of Nota Bene in double magnum format. For the first time ever, they will be serving their wine from these large format bottles, and will be showcasing the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2007 vintages. While doing this, you will enjoy grazing on regional BBQ cuisine and grooving to the lively tunes being played by DJ Glennbo. You’ll rub shoulders with the Black Hills Winemaking and Vineyard team as they take a breather from the Fall Crush and join everyone for some fun at the party. If the weather is good, bring your bathing suit and enjoy a dip in the heated pool while taking in the festivities. Tickets are limited and cost: $119.00 per person.

CHURCH and STATE “BELLE OF THE BALL”

A Fall Wine Festival event to be held Saturday, October 9th at their stunning new winery in the Coyote Bowl Vineyard, Oliver BC

Wine lovers and judges across Canada agree: Church & State Quintessential has been one of the best wines in the country, two years in a row. Blending five classic varietals to create a truly elegant and beautiful wine, befitting of the name "Quintessential." Therefore, it would only do this wine justice to celebrate its third iteration in elegance and style... C&S are pleased to announce the "Belle of the Ball," their annual release party of the Quintessential and Meritage Bordeaux-style blends, to be held on Saturday, October 9th, 2010, the final night of the Okanagan Fall Festival. This year's theme will be Masquerade, draped in mystique, magic and mystery; your ticket will allow you to choose your own mask from a selection of leather, Venetian, classic or contemporary disguises and have it waiting for you when you arrive. Please note that guests will not be permitted to enter without a mask.

The evening will be hosted at Church & State's stunning new winery in the Coyote Bowl Vineyard, in Oliver, BC. The building has set the new benchmark for architectural design in the Okanagan Valley, embracing its rural surroundings, while maintaining a contemporary and distinctly west coast appearance; it is the perfect spot for an event of this caliber. The"Belle of the Ball" will be held in the barrel room, and flow out to the grounds over looking Coyote Bowl.

OLIVER TWIST WINERY Wine Access Magazine bestowed awards on all four wines that Oliver Twist Winery entered into their 2010 Canadian Wine Awards!
GOLD - 2008 Syrah ($28/bottle or $336/case)
BRONZE - 2007 Proprietor's Reserve Merlot ($35/bottle or $420/case)
BRONZE - 2009 Viognier ($20/bottle or $240/case)
BRONZE - 2009 Chardonnay (to be released 2011)

CLOS DU SOLEIL WINERY IN the Similkameen reports the upcoming release of both their 2008 Capella and 2008 Signature. As a reminder, Capella is a blend of 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillon – fermented and aged in Stainless Steel Tanks while Signature is a blend of 52% Merlot, 26 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 9% Malbec – 18 months in 80% French and 20% American oak barriques.

And more good news: the Clos du Soleil 2008 Signature won Bronze in the Red Blends category at the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards! Congrats

News from the Okanagan

Contributed by Dee Newman
B&B Owner / Wine Lover / Amateur Photographer / Gardener

News from the Okanagan

Contributed by Dee Newman B&B Owner / Wine Lover / Amateur Photographer / Gardener

Contributed by Dee Newman
B&B Owner / Wine Lover / Amateur Photographer / Gardener