Privato Vineyard & Winery is about as far north as you can get in BC for growing vitis vinifera. In an earlier visit to Kamloops, I was told by owners John and Debbie Woodward that the hills to the north of them cannot successfully grow grapes. Their vineyard is right at the limit of what is possible. But what is possible is possibly some of the best Pinot Noir in BC. Besides Pinot Noir, Privato is also well known for their quality Chardonnay (which is a sibling of the Pinot Noir grape crossed with Gouais Blanc).
I have not had a chance to try their other wines before, but now I had tasting room manager Kristin standing across from me, pouring me samples of many of their wines, and chatting with me about them. I appreciate the time Kristin spent with me.
If you have not tried Privato’s wines they are all very good quality, especially the Pinot Noirs at every price point.
My Tasting Notes
Privato Rosé 2018 ($19.99) – This rose is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It is a pale rose petal in colour. Light intensity strawberry nose with more on the palate. You also get raspberries on the palate. This wine has a medium body with medium-plus acidity; is still round and has a slightly thicker mouthfeel. Tart red fruit and a little peppery on the finish. Good acidic structure. 
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Privato Gewurztraminer 2018 ($18.99) – the grapes for this wine come from a vineyard in Summerland. It is a watery lemon in colour. It has a nice rose and lychee nose. The roses and lychee continue to the palate, and in addition, you get some sweet spices and pepperiness. It’s off-dry, round and soft with lighter acidity. A nice tasty patio sipper. –
Privato Pinot Gris 2018 ($19.99) – Pale lemon in colour. It has a light intensity melon aroma. Medium body, round with medium acidity and a thicker mouthfeel. Light peach and stone fruit flavours to start, then you get some floral from mid-palate to the finish. The acidity carries to the end and keeps the fruit fresh. Some honey at the end. –
Privato Woodward Collection Chardonnay 2016 ($25.99) – Light lemon colour. I really enjoyed the smoky, toasty, tropical fruit nose. It has a medium body with medium intensity acidity. Tropical fruit, in particular, ripe pineapple flavour. Round with a buttery mouthfeel. Balanced. Elegant. – 
Privato Pinot Noir 2017 ($26.99) – the grapes for this wine come from selected vineyards throughout the Okanagan Valley. This wine is a medium intensity translucent garnet in colour. Light smoke and red cherry aromas. Medium-plus body, smooth with a thicker mouthfeel. Fine tannins and light acidity. Red cherries and nutmeg flavours, along with a hint of roses. Also a bit peppery. Long length. Very elegant. –
Privato Woodward Collection North of 50 Pinot Noir 2016 ($34.69) – This is a member that Club members can order, or non-members can purchase only at the winery. It is made from 100% estate fruit. It is a medium translucent garnet colour. Light nose with some toast and candied red cherries. Medium-plus body, soft with fine tannins and light acidity. Red fruit, candied red cherries and a hint of floral on the palate. It has a silky mouthfeel. There is some tartness and light pepperiness on the finish. The combination of acidity and tannins give this wine a lightweight structure. –
Privato Woodward Collection Tesoro Pinot Noir 2016 ($34.69) – To make Tesoro the top Pinot Noir barrels from all the wines are picked. The grapes for the wine come from across BC. Tesoro is the Spanish word for Treasure and indeed each vintage of this wine is a treasure. Always enjoyable. The wine spends 18 months in oak barrels and then 1 year in bottle. It is medium-plus intensity translucent garnet. A nice nose showing light intensity candied red cherries and nutmeg. With some swirling in the glass, you also get a vanilla aroma. I also initially pick up a hint of curry spice on the nose but it burned off quite quickly. The wine is off-dry, fuller body and silky smooth on the palate. It is very minerally. Red cherries and ripe raspberry flavours along with a touch of sweet spices. Bright fruit flavours. Dry finish, but not with any overly drying tannins. A very good wine.
Privato Grande Reserve Pinot Noir 2014 ($54.99) – a wine take takes 42 months of ageing before being released. This Pinot noir is whole berry cluster fermented. It has a medium-plus intensity translucent garnet colour. Ripe raspberries, candied red cherries and sweet spices along with a hint of curry spice on the very aromatic nose. Fuller body, round and soft. Slightly off-dry. Fine tannins with lighter acidity. Supple mouthfeel with flavours of red cherries and lesser ripe raspberries to start followed with floral, sweet spices and vanilla. Very high quality.
Privato Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 ($42.99) – 40% of this wine was whole-cluster pressed while 100% of the 2014 vintage was whole-cluster pressed. This wine is a darker translucent garnet colour. It has a riper red cherry, candied cherry and vanilla nose. The wine is off-dry with medium-plus body. Sweet red cherries and red fruit flavours. Thick ripe red fruit. There is a hint of dill, minerality and chocolate as well on the palate. Some floral with air. Fine, silky tannins. Long length. –
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
All prices are as listed as shown on Privato’s website. Private wine shops may offer at different prices.
You can go to the winery in Kamloops or you can order wine through the Privato website. Swirl Wine Store in Vancouver sells their wines. You can also check in with your local, private wine shop. I did not find any Privato wines listed in the BC Liquor store website.
