A Newsletter at last!

We have had a very busy season this year. Like many businesses in British Columbia, employees have been at a premium, so as a result, Larry and I have worn more hats than usual. I am afraid our newsletter hat got lost! Harvest 2005 and 2006 were great years and and we are hours away from starting our harvest for 2007. The 2007 season has been a wonderful growing year as well so I think everyone can look forward to another wonderful vintage. September has provided exactly the type of weather that everyone needs to finish off their grapes.

Simply Pink – A New Rose? with Attitude!

We have a new Rose? this year but not just your ordinary Rose?. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir and Chardonnay. It has been made in both traditonal ways. One by doing what is called a bleed on the red grapes and the other by blending red and white. As a result we have created a more complex and sophisticated wine. With raspberries and strawberries on the nose and palete it is a very refreshing wine served chilled. For something different, try this wine at Thanksgiving or Christmas…..it should be a wonderful match!

Pray for a Huge Vidal Crop!

Those who were to our wineshop after the July long weekend, know, that we were sold out of our Tragically Vidal. The Vidal was sold only through ourwine shop this year with limits on purchases at the end and despite that, we still sold out early! We are expecting a larger crop this year and should therefore have more wine for next year. We have started a list for anyone who would like to buy acase or more next year. As I did this year, I will notify everyone on the list via email when it is ready and orders can be placed so that there are no disappointments. Please email us if you would like to add your name to this list.

Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Our Sauvignon Blanc got off to a later start this year however it worked out great in the wineshop. As we sold out of the Tragically Vidal, the Sauvignon Blanc became available. Our 2006 Sauvignon Blanc again has its incredibly intense citrus and grapefruit nose. Each year we aim for a crisp, fruit forward refreshing wine with good acidity to complement seafood, oysters and creamy dishes. This year we detect a bit more gooseberry on the palate which is very characteristic of Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand. As this wine was released late June, we will still have this available through the Wine Festival for you to taste.

2005 Red Wine Releases

2005 Renaissance Meritage - Our second release of our Meritage is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot.You’ll get fine wine value. Thef lavours of each grape complement each other in this traditional blend.Typical of our style is to make the wine approachable at release, but a year ( not a decade!)or two will bring the best out, and it is rare that we have to use a fining agent to achieve this.

2005 Pinot Noir – a dark colored Pinot, it is full of fruit with great structure and smooth tannins. Larryis proud of this one this year as it is elegant, yet complex and definitely worthy of a few years of aging. We made 260 cases and only 90 remain so if you have enjoyed our Pinot Noir in the past don’t miss this one.

New this year are two vineyard designate Merlots. One is from our vineyard in Okanagan Falls and the other from a vineyard in the Similkameen. These Merlots are very different and distinct.

2005 Stag’s Hollow Merlot - elegant in the extreme! Silky, full-bodied and complex but not overbearing. Violet,blackberry, cherries, plum and our vineyard trade mark of sage without any over bearing oak, although aged for 20 months in primarily French barrels. Light cocoa finish with fine tannins. Beautiful to drink soon, but a year or two will be far more rewarding

2005 Harmony Vineyards Merlot –bold in the extreme! Okay, over stated just a tad! A very different Merlot from the Stag’s Hollow Vineyard Merlot, this is a great example of the impact terroir has, as winemaking was very similar for these two Merlots. This wine is more up front and fat on the palate . Rich blackberry, cherries and plum dominate with a herbal note to finish. Great complexity,finishing with soft tannins. Like the Stag’s Hollow Merlot, it is very drinkable now but will be more enjoyable with some time in your cellar.