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Andrew Windsor the new winemaker at Tinhorn Creek.
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Photo by Michael Botner
Steve Ward of Jackson Triggs and Inniskillan Okanagan.
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Photo by Michael Botner
Danny Hattingh winemaker Fort Berens.
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Photo by Michael Botner
Megan de Villers Vineyard Manager Fort Berens
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Photo by Michael Botner
Maverick's owner and winemaker Bertus Albertyn
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Grape picking at Fort Berens Estate Winery.
B.C. Wine Authority recommends approval of Golden Mile Bench as B.C.’s first sub-appelation: Having concluded that the application submitted in May, 2014 meets the requirements of a unique grape growing area, BCWI’s Board took the next step on October 17, 2014 and recommended that Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick approve the proposal. Stay tuned for further updates…and repercussions.
Maverick’s new cellar door wows visitors: Not part of the Golden Mile Bench designation, Maverick’s energetic winemaker Bertus Albertyn – who resigned as winemaker of Burrowing Owl Vineyards in the middle of 2013, is focused on making bold wines at his highway-hugging estate between Castoro de Oro and the Osoyoos Larose vineyard. “The soil at the bottom of our eight-acre vineyard is similar to the Golden Mile in terms of rock content while at the top, where we grow Sauvignon Blanc, the mix is heavier, more loamy, silty,” Albertyn says. Designed by Penticton architect Robert Mackenzie, the wine shop evokes echoes of Albertyn’s South African heritage. A clean, contemporary take on the traditional South African wine farm, the open, light-filled area for public tastings contrasts with a warm, elegant boardroom for private tastings.
Big news from Constellation Brands comes in pairs: News that Inniskillin’s winemaker Sandor Mayer returned to his native Hungary in September left a chasm for Constellation Brands to fill. Despite the small facility on the Golden Mile Bench, Mayer took advantage of Dark Horse Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench, which he planted with experimental varieties, and made the acclaimed “Discovery Series.” Firstly, Constellation took the bold step of closing the Inniskillin tasting room and moving wine sales to Jackson-Triggs’ (J-T’s) large facility north of Oliver. Fortuitously, plans to add a classy, Japanese-inspired space for reserve wine tastings and food pairings, nearing completion and would certainly help accommodate the larger portfolio. On the winemaking front, Jackson-Triggs’ winemaker for white wine and Icewine Derek Kontkanen agreed to take over the winemaking for Inniskillin, transferring his duties at J-T to Brooke Blair, who also continues as red winemaker. An award winning Icewine maker, Kontkanen will bring his talents to Inniskillin, “the world’s leading producer of Icewine”, according to Sally Sharpe, regional visitor experience manager for J-T.
The fall opening of Fort Berens’ sleek, new winery in Lillooet bodes well for the suitability of grape growing on river benches along the mid-Fraser. The first and only licensed winery in Lillooet, Fort Berens Estate Winery came into being in 2009 when founding partners Rolf de Bruin and Heleen Pannekoek purchased a 65 acre property on sage brush covered benchland along the Fraser River, planting 20 acres of premium vinifera vines. Leading wine industry consultants Harry McWatters and Dick Cleave touted the site as similar to the South Okanagan in climate and soil, while being more 'investor friendly'.
Knowledge of the suitability of grape growing on river benches along the mid-Fraser between Lillooet and Lytton is based on the Lillooet Grape Project. A one acre experimental plot planted with 22 varieties in 2005-2006 by former Lillooet mayor Christ’l Roshard and her husband Doug Robson still flourishes.
For the last 5 years, Texas Creek Ranch owner Eckhard Zeidler has been evaluating a 2.5 acre test vineyard with 29 varieties including Marechal Foch and Swiss Blattner varieties, and anticipate having 13 acres of vines within two years. At 6,000 cases a year, Fort Berens is counting on continued growth.
The new, 9,500 s.f. winery has the potential to process 12,000 cases onsite with extra capacity for custom processing of grapes from other growers in the area. Recently hired to take care of grape growing and winemaking are partners Danny Hattingh and Megan de Villers. Natives of South Africa, Megan has a earned a bachelor’s degree in viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch, and Danny has degrees in Viticulture and Oenology from the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training in Eisenburg.
When I met the couple at Satuma Island Winery a few years ago for an article in Orchard & Vine, I was impressed by their efforts both in the vineyard and the excellent wines produced.
TRANSITIONS
At Okanagan Crush Pad (OCP) in Summerland, Michael Bartier is turning over his role as chief winemaker to Matt Dumayne, A New Zealander with a passion for Pinot Noir and 25 years of vintages under his belt crafting wines in Central Otago, California, Australia and Oregon. Dumayne will oversee winemaking for OCP clients such as 40 Knots Estate in Comox, Singletree in Abbotsford, Coolshanagh in Naramata and East Kelowna’s Vibrant Vines, in addition to making OCP’s house wine, Haywire.
The change will allow Bartier, who continues as OCP consultant developing and managing vineyards, more flexibility and time to build his own wine portfolio, Bartier Family Vineyards.
As former winemaker for Trius at Hillebrand, Thirty Bench and Peller Estates, Mary McDermott brings a fine wine pedigree to crafting small production wines to Township 7 on B.C.’s Naramata Bench. Her vision for the boutique winery entails expanding their small lot program with additional single vineyard offerings, enhancing their Bordeaux red wine program to world class level, and boosting sparkling wine production.
When Sandra Oldfield, the former winemaker at Tinhorn Creek, added president and CEO to her duties, something had to give. In 2014, well-traveled winemaker Andrew Windsor arrived to take over winemaking duties, giving Sandra some breathing room.
A graduate of science and oenology from Guelph and Adelaide, Windsor has previously made wine in McLaren Vale, Northern Rhône, Marlborough, Niagara and the Okanagan/Similkameen.
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