Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Since 1992


Robert's Reports

East Kelowna Wineries

Spearhead Winery
Spearhead Winery

 

Oliver is often referred to as the Wine Capital of Canada. It does indeed have its fair share of impressive wineries. As does the city of Kelowna just a few miles north of Oliver.

When one thinks of Kelowna's wineries Mission Hill, Little Straw Vineyards, Mount Boucherie and Quails' Gate Estate Winery comes to mind. These wineries are actually all located in the city of West Kelowna across the lake from Kelowna.

At one time the majority of Kelowna's wineries were located on the west side of the city close to the lake. Summerhill Pyramid Winery, St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery and CedarCreek Estate Winery come to mind. But what about the east side of the city. Shell we say east of Gordon Street for those of you who know Kelowna It's a more rural region.

House of Roses

Founded in 1993 by Vern Rose. It is the most eastern winery. on the outskirts of Kelowna on the Okanagan Plateau in British Columbia. The vineyard and winery are situated in an area known as "the Belgo Bench" with both soil type and microclimate contributing to an
excellent site for grape growing. The winery is nestled among apple orchards with a view of the mountains in all directions. Established in 1993. Founded by Vern Rose the winery is now run by his daughter Aura and her husband Wouter van der Hall

House of Rose Winery received the Champion of the Environment for Business Civic Award from the City of Kelowna 2014.

Sperling Vineyards

This winery was launched by the Sperling family, whose Casorso ancestors, Charles Casorso,planted Kelowna’s first vineyard in 1925 and were among the original investors in what is now Calona Vineyards .Giovanni Casorso came from Italy in 1883 to work at Father Pandosy’s mission before succeeding on his own (he was once the Okanagan’s largest tobacco grower). His sons planted several vineyards. Formerly known as Pioneer Ranch, the 18.2-hectare (45-acre) Sperling Vineyards was planted initially in 1931 with grapes and apples by Louis and Pete Casorso. When Pete retired in 1960, Bert Sperling, his son-in-law, switched the entire property to vines, both wine grapes and table grapes. Today, the 45-acre Sperling Vineyard, includes a 45 year-old planting of Maréchal Foch, a 35 year-old planting of Riesling and another old planting of Perle of Csaba (a Muscat variety,) along with Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. In the spring of 2008, blocks of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were planted to support the production of premium sparkling wines.

Ann Sperling , who was born in 1962, began her winemaking career in 1984, first with Andrés Wines and then with CedarCreek Estate Winery. She moved to Ontario in 1995 where she helped launch several stellar wineries. She and Peter Gamble, her husband, now consult internationally. Their British Columbia clients include Sperling Vineyards, nearby Camelot Vineyards and Clos du Soleil Winery in the Similkameen.

The family did not open their winery until 2009 This small, premium winery completes the Casorso legacy.

The View

The View Winery is on a piece of property that has been in the Turton/Ward family for 5 generations. Historically, apples were grown on the property. In the mid 1990's a transition began and orchard rows were replaced with vines. The winery currently is in the heritage packing house that also doubles as a cidery, producing Ward Ciders.

The wineries name reflect he magnificent view of the Okanagan Lake from from the winery. Owners are Jennifer and Kent Molgat, and Chris Turton.

Camelot Vineyards

Camelot Vineyards began as an orchard and was owned and operated by Ruth and the late Robert Young Senior for almost 40 years.

In 1996, keeping it in the family, Robert Young Jr. and his wife Denise, decided to take over the business. Exactly ten years later in October 2006, a huge decision was made to remove all of the trees and replant the acreage with a vineyard.

Following this, Camelot Winery was erected. It of course, has a days old Camelot theme.

SpearHead Winery

Located ten miles from Kelowna's city hall the winery sits atop of Spier Road. To reach the tasting room and gallery you must drive through the Orchards and vineyards. The winery opened in 2010 and is owned by Bill and Marina Knutson along with Bruce Hirtle/Vancouver; William Knutson/Vancouver.

The winery has now planted 14 acres of its 20-acre property, which was an apple orchard before Bill and his partners began planting grapes in 2008 on the ironically named Gentleman Farmer Vineyard

The wines are Fermented in small lots, barrel aged in French Oak. Signature wines. Chardonnay , Merlot, Cab Sauv, & Vanguard their Bordeaux blend.

Named changed from Spierhead to Spearhead in 2018.

Tantalus Vineyards

Tantalus Vineyards is situated on the eastern slopes of the Okanagan Valley overlooking the shores of Lake Okanagan and the city of Kelowna. Tantalus is dedicated to growing and vinifying limited quantities of exceptional Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Winery Proprietor Eric Savics liked the origin of the word Tantalus - to be Tantalized . The vineyard was first planted to grapes in 1927 and was called Pioneer Vineyards. Tantalus was established in 2004 on this site.

The vineyard consists of 50 acres of undulating topography. Each block demonstrates its own particular aspect and slope. The soils are varied, their origins dating back to the last ice age and the formation of an ancient lake whose depth rose 250 meters above the current level of Lake Okanagan.

The Vineyard having old plantings of Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Today, Riesling vines planted in 1978 and Pinot Noir planted in 1983 make up the backbone of the vineyard. The vineyard is managed by Warwick Shaw.

Vibrant Vine

Wyn, Anthony, and Marion Lewis opened the Vibrant Vine Tasting Room in 2010. In 2008 Tony and Wyn planted 8,000 vines by hand in very, very rocky ground. They had to use a pnumatic drill to create the holes where they planted the tiny vines-Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Riesling and Savignon Blanc. They produce wines under the name Vibrant Vines .

They have two son's Anthony is the winemaker, Phil, an artist designed the strikingly psychedelic labels that wrap around their wine bottles.


Kitsch Okanagan Valley Wines

Kitsch Okanagan Valley Wines

One of East Kelowna's newer and larger wineries. The winery is owned by Trent and Ria Kitsch, members of a family that has been in the Okanagan for almost 100 years, prominent in construction and housing development. Trent developed the product SAXX (men's underwear). Together they made it a world wide success. They sold the business to start the winery.

As interim step, they established a home building company. One of the houses constructed by that venture for a Kitsch family member looks over the 12.7-acre vineyard that was planted in 2013 and 2014. The winery and vineyard occupies a plateau in northeast Kelowna, with a panoramic view to the south over the city. Okanagan Lake stretches into the distance almost to Peachland. The largest planting is Riesling, about five acres in two blocks. The other varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.

Mirabel Vineyards

One of the new wineries with its impressive buildings. Doug and Dawn Reimer moved in 2005 from West Vancouver to a property in Kelowna to build their dream home. Now, they also operate their dream winery, Mirabel Vineyards.

They engaged two masters of wine, Rhys Pender and James Cluer, to advise them.

The Reimer Family Vineyard was planted in 2006 on a steep hill with both southwesterly and northwesterly aspects. Grapes were planted at an elevation of 930 feet, up to 1220 at the top. Careful soil analysis revealed a complex mixture of calcium carbonate, alluvial sediments, and a silt loam sits over-top a gravel loam. Six acres (84 rows) were planted to three sustainably-grown Dijon clones: 115, 667 and 777, blended together for optimum colour, flavour, acidity, tannin and length. The yield is cropped at 2.5 tons per acre and harvested by hand. 1.5 acres of Chardonnay will be planted in 2017

Doug and Dawn are originally from Winnipeg. His father, Donald, started Reimer Express Lines in 1952 with one truck.

New Wineries

Numerous wineries have open or are opening in this region. They include Nagging Doubt, Frequency and Priest Creek.

Cideries and Meaderies

Cideries and meaderies are also popular in East Kelowna they include Meadow Vista Honey Wines and East Kelowna Cider Company.

 

Home | About | Sitemap | New Reports |Mead|Cider|Contact Us |©2020 Robert A Bell

Welcome to Robert Bell's Winesofcanada.com ! This is a personal website. We do not represent the wine industry or any aspect of the Canadian Government. We have been promoting Canada's wines and wineries since 1992. We do not sell or purchase any products. Please enjoy the website. Your comments are welcome.