Welcome to the 4th annual Okanagan Falls spring media and trade tasting in Vancouver. We are delighted you could join us today to celebrate. From the shores of Skaha Lake to the tip of Vaseux Lake, our 14 award-winning wineries offer visitors spectacular scenery, unsurpassed winery experiences, and, of course, exceptional wines. Boasting the Okanagan s most photographed vineyard views, the wineries in and around Okanagan Falls have been producing some of BC s best wines for many years. From vibrant sparkling wines and crisp Rieslings to complex Pinot Noirs and rich Syrahs, there is truly something for everyone. We invite you to visit our beautiful region this year and discover why we truly are the heart of wine country. Gerry Thygesen President, OFWA @OKFallsWineries www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 1
2 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca
Welcome to Okanagan Falls! With Okanagan Falls at its heart, vineyards stretch Northwards along the East Bench of Skaha Lake and across the water to Kaleden and then South over rolling hills above Vaseux Lake. Over tens of thousands of years a series of glaciers, up to 3 kilometers thick, carved a great valley out of the mountains that we now call the Okanagan. In places it is deeper than the Grand Canyon. The retreating ice mass left behind long benches of fertile soil and a series of spectacular lakes. Our region of the South Okanagan is a unique climatic zone known as a semi-arid steppe, the final stage of a desert area that extends up from the United States. Along with that comes long warm days and cool nights that retain the acidity in the grapes and helps shape their distinctive character and flavours. Our 14 award winning wineries have over 185 hectares in vines and produce a combined 110,000 cases for an amazing 1,300,000 bottles of wine each year. Our region represents over 11% of the total domestic wine bottled in British Columbia and generates nearly $30,000,000 in retail sales. For more information on our member wineries and our unique terroir, please download our press kit at www.ofwa.ca Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 3
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BLASTED CHURCH VINEYARDS Website: blastedchurch.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC Evelyn Campbell, owner 250 497 1125 intrigued@blastedchurch.com One morning in 1929 a crew from Okanagan Falls set off to a deserted mining camp 16 miles away to dismantle an old wooden church and bring it back to Okanagan Falls. The plan called for a blast of dynamite inside the church to loosen the nails. Save for losing the steeple, the plan succeeded. In naming our VQA wines Blasted Church, we celebrate the ingenuity of this initiative. Getting religion never tasted so good! Stop in and try our heaven sent Storytelling Series, along with our Revered favorites. One sip of our OMG and you will hear angels sing. HOLY MATRIMONY CSPC# 518407 GEWURZTRAMINER CSPC# 711200 NOTHING SACRED 2011 CSPC# 788489 CABERNET MERLOT CSPC# 734541 Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 5
BLUE MOUNTAIN VINEYARD AND CELLARS Website: bluemountainwinery.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC GOLD LABEL BRUT SPARKLING WINE Christie Mavety, Proprietor Keystone Fine Wines, Christine Fawcett 604 789 8232 christine@keystonefinewines.ca Along with exceptional terroir, owners Ian, Jane, Matt and Christie Mavety credit their success to the integrity of their estate. To the Mavety family, estate means more than the piece of land; it extends to the practice of both viticulture and wine making by the same owner-operators. At Blue Mountain, it also means the use of 100% estate-grown grapes. Following the estate concept to its fullest extent sets Blue Mountain apart from most North American wineries. The Mavetys acquired the land in 1971, which overlooks Vaseux Lake. The prized geography of undulating hills and mountain protection was swiftly recognized to offer varying microclimates. Focusing on varietal wines made from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Noir, Blue Mountain strives to produce complex, age-worthy wines, consistent in style while allowing the expression of both the terroir and the individual growing season. Blue Mountain specializes in sparkling wine made in the Methodé Traditionnelle style with a minimum of 24 months on tirage. CSPC# 471672 NV BLANC DE BLANCS CSPC# 402594 2008 PINOT BLANC CSPC# 329441 CHARDONNAY CSPC# 350108 6 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca
KRAZE LEGZ WINERY Website: krazelegz.com Region: Kaleden, BC Gerry Thygesen, Winery Direct 250 490 6606 info@krazelegz.com Kraze Legz Winery at SKAHA Vineyard is nestled above Skaha Lake on steep slopes of fossilized sandstone and shale. Lake influences encourage our vines to concentrate flavours in the ripening fruit, resulting in elegant, well balanced, fruit forward wines. This estate, single vineyard series extends the award winning portfolio of red and white wines handcrafted by Sue and Gerry Thygesen at Kraze Legz Winery, and is a tribute to Sue s life long love of horses. Kraze Legz Winery remains family owned and operated. SKAHA VINEYARD PINOT BLANC CSPC# 774364 SKAHA VINEYARD CHARDONNAY UNOAKED CSPC# 746222 SKAHA VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC CSPC# 553560 SKAHA VINEYARD MYSTIQUE CSPC# 852772 Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 7
LIQUIDITY WINES Website: liquiditywines.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC Barbara Mills, BC Wine Shop 778 869 6557 barbara@bcwineshop.com Treat your senses with a visit to our state-of-the-art winery and bistro. Sample award winning wines surrounded by wonderful works of art. Enjoy delicious locally sourced meals indoors or on our water feature patio. All of this amongst one of the most spectacular settings in the Okanagan Valley. Ranked as Open Table Top 100 Best Restaurants in Canada two years running. PINOT GRIS CSPC# 747808 WHITE BLEND CSPC# 50617 PINOT NOIR SELECT CSPC# 741975 PINOT NOIR ESTATE CSPC# 30130 8 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca
MEYER FAMILY VINEYARDS INC. Website: mfvwines.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC International Cellars Inc., Peter Rae/Cindy Thaler 604 689 5333 peter@internationalcellars.com Crafting Single Vineyard Wines of Excellence. In traditional French burgundy style we focus on small case lots of varietals best suited and expressive of their unique place of origin with an emphasis on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We produce less than 6000 cases and strive to produce the finest wines possible. Our wines are hand harvested and hand crafted and we take great pride in each bottle of wine with great attention to detail. We hope that you enjoy our wines as much as we enjoy making them! JAK & Janice Meyer TRIBUTE SERIES CHARDONNAY OLD MAIN ROAD VINEYARD CSPC# 838532 MCLEAN CREEK CHARDONNAY MCLEAN CREEK VINEYARD CSPC# 139717 MCLEAN CREEK PINOT NOIR MCLEAN CREEK VINEYARD CSPC# 831487 REIMER VINEYARD PINOT NOIR CSPC# 229195 Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 9
NIGHTHAWK VINEYARDS Website: nighthawkvineyards.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC Christy Bibby, Proprietor 250 497 8874 christy@nighthawkvineyards.com NATURAL BEAUTY. DISTINCTIVE ELEGANCE. EXCEPTIONAL HAND CRAFTED WINES. Nighthawk Vineyards is a boutique farm gate winery, overlooking the scenic Green Lake valley above Okanagan Falls. It is truly a magical destination, with a distinctive terroir that contributes to some of the finest grape growing conditions. After harvesting high quality grapes for more than fourteen years, Nighthawk Vineyards has evolved into an exclusive winery offering exceptional hand crafted wines and a personal experience that keeps wine lovers coming back. SYRAH 2012 CSPC# 85324 MERLOT CSPC# 877647 2012 GEWURZTRAMINER CSPC# 383745 VIOGNIER CSPC# 500694 10 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca
NOBLE RIDGE VINEYARD & WINERY Website: nobleridge.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC Peacock & Martin, Paul Martin 604 689 9462 peacock_martin@telus.net Noble Ridge is committed to creating premium quality wine, cultivating cherished memories and promising convenience and ease of year-round purchase through our valued restaurant and retail partners, on-site wine shop, and on-line purchasing/ home delivery service. Noble Ridge wines are quickly becoming recognized internationally. A few highlights include two Lieutenant Governor s Awards for Excellence in BC Wine, two Silver medals at the Chardonnay Du Monde, and scoring 99 points, Double Gold, Best of Class and Best over-all at the New World International Wine Competition for the Meritage Reserve. PINOT GRIGIO CSPC# 898650 RESERVE CHARDONNAY CSPC# 615229 2012 RESERVE PINOT NOIR CSPC# 784446 MERITAGE RESERVE CSPC# 585141 Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 11
PAINTED ROCK ESTATE WINERY LTD. Website: paintedrock.ca Region: Penticton, BC John Skinner, Proprietor 604 306 1107 johnskinner@paintedrock.ca Painted Rock s tasting room, wedding & event facility sits on a spectacular bench overlooking our estate vineyard and the eastern shore of Skaha Lake in Penticton, BC. This 60-acre property has a unique microclimate that is particularly suited to the production of premium wines. Envisioned as a family-run estate winery, Painted Rock draws its inspiration from proprietor s John and Trish Skinner. The Skinner s philosophy is rooted in the simple idea that wine should be made for friends and family to enjoy. Visit Painted Rock to learn about the wines that earned us the InterVin International Wine Awards, / Winery of the Year while enjoying a glass of wine on the patio, or a leisurely picnic in the grass. MERLOT CSPC# 512319 SYRAH CSPC# 130989 RED ICON CSPC# 468900 12 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca
PENTÂGE WINERY Website: pentage.com Region: Penticton, BC Paul Gardner and Julie Rennie, Proprietors Michael Garrett - Artwine 250 493 4008 julie@pentage.com Pentâge Winery is a boutique winery nestled on 23 acres overlooking Skaha Lake in Penticton, BC. Founded in 1996 - we believe the foundation of great wine is truly reflected by the terroir. Our commitment to excellence begins in the vineyards with low-yield cultivation strategy producing the top-quality grapes essential to our hand-harvested, hand-crafted, award winning wines. We offer unique and sophisticated wines for every palate - visit our wine shop and tour our spectacular 5000 square foot natural rock cellar. We invite you to share our passion. GEWURZTRAMINER CSPC# 859983 ROUSSANNE, MARSANNE, VIOGNIER BLEND CSPC# 507699 2011 PENTÂGE BLEND 2011 CSPC# 411207 GSM CSPC# 4911 2012 Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 13
SEE YA LATER RANCH Website: sylranch.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC Kate Colley 250 497 8267 info@sylranch.com The wines of See Ya Later Ranch celebrate the lively legacy of Major Hugh Fraser, a colourful character who purchased the property high above the Okanagan Valley in 1919. The Major found the freedom and open skies of the valley the perfect complement to his fun-loving personality and fondness for lavish parties. Here near the town of Okanagan Falls he planted vines and seeded a legend. The ranch was his home for more than forty-five years, each one adding to a rich mix of truth and fiction involving elaborate gatherings, plenty of dogs and a wife from Ontario who on seeing the rustic surroundings left both the Valley and a threeword note: See ya later. In 2003, a series of wines were created under the See Ya Later Ranch name to salute both the site s colourful history and the man who first planted grapes in the beautiful mountain setting. GEWURZTRAMINER CSPC# 868067 PINOT GRIS CSPC# 75739 MAJOR S BLOCK RED BLEND 2012 CSPC# 879108 PING MERITAGE CSPC# 25 14 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca
STAG S HOLLOW WINERY Website: stagshollowwinery.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC Candice Rosa 604 418 8112 candice@stagshollowwinery.com Established in 1995, Stag s Hollow is a family-owned winery producing many of British Columbia s most distinct and unique wines. In, Stag s Hollow ranked in the top 10 wineries in Canada at the Canadian National Wine Awards and then in ranked 8th small winery in Canada at this same competition. The philosophy at Stag s Hollow is to express the terroir of the Okanagan using sustainable vineyard practices with minimal winemaking intervention. Innovative with a spirit to be unique, the winery has planted varietals not commonly grow in the Okanagan. Tempranillo and Albarino from Spain, Grenache and Marsanne from the Rhone Valley and Dolcetto from Italy. These unique varietals offer a new experience for Okanagan Wine lovers. ALBARINO CSPC# 739326 MUSCAT FRIZZANTE CSPC# 631317 PINOT NOIR CSPC# 37499 CACHET NO. 04 CSPC# 667683 Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 15
SYNCHROMESH WINES Website: synchromeshwines.ca Region: Okanagan Falls, BC Alan Dickinson 250 535 1558 wine@synchromeshwines.ca Synchromesh Wines is a small family run operation focused on producing terroir driven, world class Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. From vineyard to bottle we practice sustainable techniques, no-chemical farming, natural low cropping, extensive use of indigenous yeasts and no additives or manipulations in winemaking. We approach the entire business with a holistic philosophy, ensuring every aspect of the farm and winery helps to support our business ecosystem, philosophies and enables us to produce interesting and unique wines. RIESLING CSPC# 850115 THORNY VINES RIESLING CSPC# 345942 CACHOLA VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC CSPC# 613893 16 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca
TOPSHELF WINERY Website: topshelfwine.ca Region: Kaleden, BC Leonard & Myra Kwiatkowski 778 515 0099 topshelfwine@telus.net Topshelf wines are a sports theme family winery. T = Tasters delight O = Opportunity to try new wines P = Pleasing experience S = Satisfied curiosity H = Hospitality E = Eagerness to please L = Limit no one to share their stories F = Friendships develop W = Winning attitude I = Interest in everyone N = Nature in a glass E = Effort to follow dreams S = Success - you experiencing TOPSHELF WINES SLAPSHOT CHARDONNAY CSPC# 668129 POINT SHOT PINOT GRIS CSPC# 411967 MERITAGE CSPC# 891648 OVER THE TOP MERLOT CSPC# 57976 Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 17
WILD GOOSE VINEYARDS & WINERY Website: wildgoosewinery.com Region: Okanagan Falls, BC The Wine List 604 630 3076 info@twlcanada.com This year marks the 26th Anniversary for premium wine production at Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery. Owned and operated by the Kruger family for three generations, they have established themselves as one of British Columbia s top producers of premium varietal wines, a true Canadian Icon! Since opening its doors, Wild Goose has consistently received local and international accolades including 2009 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year, eight Lieutenant Governor Awards of Excellence, International Riesling Foundation trophy, and over 200 Gold, Platinum and Double-Platinum awards. Located in Okanagan Falls, the winery is a complete wine country destination offering vineyards views, spacious tasting room, full service BBQ Bistro with al fresco patio dining and private function room. GEWURZTRAMINER CSPC# 414748 PINOT GRIS CSPC# 536227 MYSTIC RIVER PINOT BLANC CSPC# 132506 RED HORIZON MERITAGE CSPC# 738377 18 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca
All things ROSÉ Since we are welcoming spring today, we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to show you the diversity of terroirs in the Okanagan Valley when it comes to producing rosé wines. Rosé has become a powerful varietal for BC winegrowers and is capable of such different expressions in different soils, elevations and micro climates, and when subjected to different winemaking regimes. Our regional tasting table features Rosé s from 8 different producers in the southern Okanagan to highlight these expressions in the glass. KRAZE LEGZ - SKAHA VINEYARD ROSÉ CSPC# 527788 SKAHA Vineyard Rosé is handcrafted from Merlot grapes. Crisp and refreshing with concentrated notes of strawberry, raspberry, juicy watermelon and a lively hint of rhubarb and cranberry on the finish. Enjoy on its own or pair with BBQ fare, turkey dinner or red berry summer salads. LIQUIDITY WINES- ROSÉ CSPC# 518019 This vibrant Rosé has a juicy nose of strawberry, cranberry and a bit of spice. Creamy on the palate, it offers flavours of strawberry, raspberry, red currant, rhubarb compote and some savoury notes. This wine would pair well with a charcuterie plate, creamy pasta, roast pork, potted salmon, or simply a sunny day. MEYER FAMILY VINEYARDS INC.- ROSÉ CSPC# 160606 Crafted from predominantly Pinot Noir grapes, this is a deliciously dry Rosé redolent of cherries, strawberries, and cranberries. Four months maturation on the lees in older oak barrels rounds out the red fruit flavours with smoky, spicy, herbal undercurrents, making it an ideal food-friendly wine. Follow us on twitter and instagram @OKFallsWineries 19
All things ROSÉ NIGHTHAWK VINEYARDS- PINOT NOIR ROSÉ CSPC# 473785 A crisp and lively wine with hints of raspberry, rhubarb and a kiss of French Oak. Our Estate grown Pinot Noir contributes delicate floral notes and minerality, creating a textured mouth feel. A perfect pairing with fresh BC oysters or crab, cured meats, sharp cheeses, or as a summer patio wine! PAINTED ROCK ESTATE WINERY LTD.- ROSÉ CSPC# 886812 A blend of 39%, Merlot, 29% Cab Franc, 23% Malbec and 9% Petit Verdot. Cranberry, rhubarb and raspberry jump out of the glass in this highly aromatic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. On the palate more bright red fruits, herbaceous notes and tart rhubarb, blend effortlessly with mouth-watering acidity, making this Rosé the perfect accompaniment to the summer season. PENTÂGE WINERY- GAMAY ZINFANDEL ROSÉ CSPC# 660779 The Gamay Zinfandel Rosé sings of strawberry rhubarb pie on the nose. Juicy ripe berry fruit is delivered again on the palate and is balanced by refreshing acidity. SEE YA LATER RANCH - NELLY ROSÉ CSPC# 229096 This Rosé shows intense notes of strawberry and raspberry on the nose and palate. Unoaked, our Rosé is fresh and crisp with spice, dried fruit, and rhubarb underneath and on the smooth, clean finish. SYNCHROMESH CACHOLA FAMILY VINEYARDS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ CSPC# 51284 These grapes were picked early at only 19 brix, gently destemmed and cracked where they lay on their skins for 16 hours after which they were lightly pressed and fermented cool. The result is a pretty light salmon colour with subtle reheated frozen strawberries, pink grapefruit and prosciutto wrapped cantaloupe. Bone dry with a dusty peach juice finish and subtle salinity. 20 www.facebook.com/okanaganfallswineries www.ofwa.ca