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Euphemistically, the co-founder of Fort Berens Property Vineyard in Lillooet refers to this summer season as “distinctive.”
“Properly, final summer season there was the pandemic and we struggled via,” stated Rolf de Bruin.
“And this summer season it was wildfires and smoke and heatwave and an evacuation alert and the pandemic. All of it meant for a a lot quieter summer season right here with individuals involved about travelling.”
Sarcastically, whereas there have been actually fires close by, flames by no means threatened the vineyard and the evacuation alert was temporary.
There have been solely 4 or 5 smoky days, a lot lower than the Okanagan, because of the vineyard’s location within the Fraser Canyon, which enjoys prevailing coastal winds that consistently cleanse the air.
De Bruin chooses to be optimistic and feels the summer season allowed Fort Berens to impress the guests that did drop by with its location and wines.
5 of the preferred wines within the tasting room this summer season had been recent and shiny 2020 whites and a rose.
“I’m a giant Riesling fan and like all expressions of it, and so do most of our guests,” stated de Bruin.
Due to this fact, the traditional 2020 Riesling ($20), with a touch of sweetness, is a success, as is the 2020 Dry Riesling ($22).
Fort Berens’ first try at Gruner Veltliner ($22) resulted in a rich-and-ripe launch of the 2020 classic in spring 2021.
“Gruner is a tremendous varietal, super-interesting and totally different from Riesling and extra sophisticated than Pinot Gris,” stated de Bruin.
To not say the 2020 Pinot Gris ($20) isn’t slightly complicated with its kiwi-grapefruit-and-mineral profile.
The 2020 Rose ($20) is Fort Berens’ first pink manufactured from Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from its personal Pink Rock Winery in Lillooet.
Regardless of the extraordinary warmth in late June and early July, vines have bounced again and the grapes that can make the 2021 vintages look good.
In truth, early harvest has already began with the primary of the Chardonnay being picked and likewise Pinot Noir and Merlot coming off the vines for the following classic of Rose.
Fort Berens’ new winemaker is Alessandro Nel, an Italian from South Africa, who additionally has the job of winery director.
It’s definitely worth the journey to Fort Berens to expertise Lillooet’s first vineyard at 1881 Freeway 99 North.
The vineyard is open day by day 10 am to six pm for tastings, its restaurant is open Thursdays via Mondays for lunch, midday to 4 pm, and dinners, 5:30-8:30 pm, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Reservations are really helpful at FortBerens.ca.
Pink winemaker excels at whites
With this batch of latest releases, Gavin Miller proves he’s equally adept at making purple and white wines.
Initially, Miller, co-owner and winemaker at Higher Bench Vineyard & Creamery on the Naramata Bench, thought-about himself a purple winemaker, particularly of Merlot, which he considers the perfect varietal for the Bench.
However Higher Bench additionally produces wonderful 2019 Chardonnay ($27), 2020 Pinot Blanc ($22) and 2020 Riesling ($24).
In truth, the 2020 Riesling is the just-as-good comply with as much as the 2019 Riesling, which received wine of the yr on the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards, which had been a part of the 2020 Fall Okanagan Wine Pageant.
Three of the 4 vineyard’s new purple releases function Miller’s beloved black-cherry-and-dark-chocolate profile Merlot — the 2017 Property Merlot ($40), 2018 Merlot ($30) and 2018 Yard Wine ($33), a mix of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc.
The vineyard additionally launched the 2017 Property Cabernet Sauvignon ($40), Higher Bench’s largest and boldest purple with aromas and flavours of blackberry and oaky spice.
Because the vineyard and creamery title suggests, Higher Bench is B.C.’s solely mixed wine and cheese operation with Miller’s spouse, Shana, crafting artisan cheeses akin to double brie and child blue.
Steve MacNaull is an Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Electronic mail: steve.macnaull@ok.bc.ca.
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