La Cote Vineyard
Clos du Soleil, the British Columbia-based winery, has proudly announced their La Côte vineyard has received organic certification.
With this announcement, all four vineyards owned by Clos du Soleil, which span 30 acres of vines, are now certified organic, farmed biodynamically, and ‘Biosphere Committed’.
The winery’s managing director, Michael Clark, says the organic certification is central to their approach to winemaking, as it allows them to produce wines that speak strongly of terroir and place, as well as showcase their commitment to sustainable farming practices.
“Organic certification is really central to our whole approach at Clos du Soleil,” explains Clark. “We put a great deal of effort into producing wines of place, wines that speak of the land on which they were grown.
“Organic practices are a crucial part of that process by encouraging healthy soils, and healthy vines, which make for more expressive wines.”
La Côte vineyard was purchased by Clos du Soleil in 2018, and the team began converting it to organic and biodynamic practices immediately. Vineyard and Operations Manager Steve Roche explained that organic farming practices help keep soils alive and healthy, which is crucial for maintaining vine health and for producing grapes that represent their place.
La Côte is also ideally located for grape growing, with well-draining stony soils and a southward-facing aspect that gives the entire plot the perfect conditions for growing high-quality fruit. Today, La Côte is home to Malbec, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with the Malbec being used to make Clos du Soleil’s annual sell-out Malbec Rosé.
Clark believes every bottle of Clos du Soleil wine should reflect its place of origin, which is why the winery places a strong emphasis on organic farming. By doing so, Clark says they can sustainably produce elegant, age-worthy wines that taste unmistakeably of the Similkameen.
Having all its vineyards certified for organic farming is a significant accomplishment, and the certification of La Côte vineyard highlights the company’s commitment to the environment and the production of high-quality wines.
As consumers continue to prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions, Clos du Soleil’s organic certification could help the winery attract more environmentally conscious customers.