Okanagan Wine Weekend

On the first weekend of June my wife and I had a beautiful trip to Vaseux Lake in the Okanagan to celebrate a friends anniversary. We would be staying at the same chalet they got married at which is owned by their friends family, and is usually booked all summer long with rentals. Even with the flood warnings and my back seizing on me Friday morning it was an opportunity you don't let pass. 

DAY 1 - Osoyoos to Oliver

First stop for our small convoy was MOON CURSOR which is on the eastern outskirts of Osoyoos and is worth the extra little drive. I have always loved their wines and I like going there first to calibrate my palate. We walked out with their Dolcetto to have with diner that night; the Malbec and the delicious age-able 2013 Tannat to lay down beside the 2102 already at home.

Next up was the ladies choice of FAUSTINO ESTATE CIDERY just north of Osoyoos. They have a great selection of ciders from their estate grown fruit including a range of sweetness's and some great blends like; Apple/Peach, Apple/Pear, Apple/Quince, plus others like the oaked Apple/Blueberry.

A bit further down the road we found ourselves at ROAD 13. They have a great range of wines in different price ranges. I've always enjoyed their old vine Chenin Blanc, Rose, and their Marsanne. We left with 2 bottles of Marsanne, and a bottle of THE SIMILKAMEEN COLLECTIVE - Roussanne; which has the same owners as Road 13.

A few minutes down the road we hit up HESTER CREEK which was busy and bumping with live music on the patio. The tasting bar was packed and after a few minute wait the Manager ushered the five of us, plus baby and dog to the patio for a private tasting. It was a wonderful experience with a fun energetic host. We walked away with their delicious Italian white Trebbiano and the Cab Franc which is a great varietal expression and one of my favorites.

Just down the hill from there we went to INTERSECTION which turned out to be the big surprise of the day. I have had their wines at tastings but this was the first time for all of us to the winery. It was a wonderful flight of thought provoking wines with a foot in the old world. Knowledgeable engaging staff with all wines reasonably priced for the overall quality. We walked out with the mineral rich Riesling, the barrel fermented Sauv Blanc, and their 2 single vineyard unfiltered Merlot's. The Merlot's are grown right next to each other but one has Alluvial soils (Alluvia) and the other has silicate sand (Silica). Both are mouth watering with long finish's and a great example of how terroir can affect the wine.

Last up for the day was TINHORN CREEK with their super friendly staff and another great lineup. At the door we were served their Pinot Gris and got into a great 10min conversation about the winery, flooding, and local geology. We left with their Oldfield Cab Franc, and a bottle from the last case of their 2011 Pinot Noir.




DAY 2 - Naramata Bench

Day 2 was a little more low key but with some great finds. The first stop was HILLSIDE as I had there wines recently at a trade event and was in need of the 2014 Syrah. In the winter I had done a 6 year vertical of their Syrahs ending with the 2013. The 2014 seems closer in style to the 08 & 09 vintages with many good years ahead of it. We bought the Syrah and my other favorite from there, the Old Vine Gamay Noir.

Next up was TERRAVISTA producers of small-lot specialty white wines. The previous owners of Black Hills have planted two Spanish whites on their estate vineyard, Albarino & Verdejo.  We purchased the crisp and refreshing Albarino in it's 3rd vintage, and their world first blend of Albarino and Verdejo, the Fandango. Also part of their lineup is an old world style Rhone blend, Figaro made with Roussanne, Viognier, and Marsanne that is delicious and age worthy.

LAKE BREEZE was next on the list. I hadn't been in awhile and was disappointed that the no longer had their Pinotage available. We did have a great flight and I was happy to learn they now have a Roussanne, so I had to pick one up to taste it against the one from Similkameen valley. We also grabbed their perfect patio sipper the Sauv Blanc.

A couple of minutes down the road we went to DEEP ROOTS. A family that has been growing in the Okanagan for generations and recently switched to vines. We left with a couple bottles of their Gamay Noir, and if we had hit them earlier in the trip I probably would of bought the Cab Franc and the Malbec as well.

Last stop for our trip was BENCH 1775 we were hoping to try their full range of Malbecs but found out most are only available to their wine club members. Including the intriguing Malbec Nouveau made in the same style as Beaujolais Nouveau with Carbonic Maceration. We bought the White Merlot; which is Merlot grapes made as a white wine, and their newly released Brut Rose bubbly that I highly recommend.  

All and all another great trip to the Okanagan and each time the wines seem to get better and better. I also seem to buy more and more each time I go. If you haven't been yet, book a trip and go explore the different terroirs of this great BC wine region.

For more info on Golden Mile Chalet, or for rental bookings, please see link below:

https://www.vrbo.com/313091