Sunny springtime weather will soon be upon us. Daffodils are already blooming, as well as cherry blossoms in the Vancouver lower mainland. So it is time to think about enjoying white wines on your patio or a restaurant patio. I have two terrific white wines from the Okanagan’s Township 7 Winery for you. I have the Township 7 Benchmark Series Raju Vineyard Viognier 2023 and their Benchmark Series Wheeler Family Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2022. Both wines are under screw cap, making it very easy to open and enjoy these wines.
The Benchmark Series highlights premium, terroir-driven wines crafted from select, high-quality vineyard sites with an emphasis on complexity and aging potential. These wines are more refined and structured, typically priced higher due to their quality and craftsmanship.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Township 7 Benchmark Series Wheeler Family Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2022 (BC $29.97 Wine club exclusive)
Winemaker’s notes, “Our 2022 Benchmark Series Gewürztraminer is crafted from handpicked fruit sourced from the esteemed Wheelers Family Vineyard on the Naramata Bench, this vintage was fermented using a combination of stainless steel and three neutral French oak barrels. The stainless steel fermentation, maintained at a cool 14°C over three months, preserved the wine’s vibrant aromatics, while the warmer barrel fermentation contributed depth and richness to the palate. To further enhance complexity and balance, batonnage was carried out to increase lees contact in the barrel-fermented portion.“
Appearance: It has a medium-plus intensity, bright, clear lemon+gold colour.
Nose: Lighter, but deep aromas of oranges, sweet spices, dried apricots and other stone fruits, plus a touch of grape stem. Sweet scents. You get more grape stem aromas with the other aromas lighter, after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dryish, medium-plus body, with a round, thicker mouthfeel. A weighty texture in your mouth. You get a light acidic prickle on your tongue. Medium acidity. Citrus, pears, stone fruits, and light touches of honey, blossom and grape stems. Deep stone fruit flavours; Fresh and dried stone fruits. Hints of floral and mint with swirling. Lighter bodied with a leaner, but still round and soft mouthfeel after decanting. More pears and grape stem flavours.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing off-dry with mouthwatering acidity, stone fruit flavours, plus some spiciness. Lighter fruit flavours on the finish after decanting.
A serious, intense Gewürztraminer. The aromas and flavours are at the peak when you open the bottle, so enjoy it at once.
Rating: 
no decant. The Township 7 Benchmark Series Wheeler Family Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2022 glows lemon-gold in the glass, with inviting aromas of orange, dried apricot, sweet spice, and a hint of grape stem. Dryish with a round, weighty texture, it delivers layers of citrus, stone fruits, pear, and floral notes, balanced by medium acidity and a light acidic prickle. The medium-plus finish lingers with stone fruit and spice, making this a richly textured and expressive wine best enjoyed without decanting.
Township 7 Benchmark Series Raju Vineyard Viognier 2023 (BC $30.97)
Winemaker’s notes, “The 2023 Benchmark Series Viognier was made Blue Terrace Estate Vineyard, Black Sage Bench, Oliver, exclusively from 100% Viognier, this wine originates from the revered Raju Vineyard in Osoyoos. This warm, sun-drenched site allows for optimal ripeness, enhancing both the wine’s expressive aromatics and its vibrant, fruit-forward character. Fermented in seven neutral French oak barrels, the wine develops a refined texture, while controlled fermentation between 16-18°C imparts a beautiful roundness into the finished wine.”
Appearance: A medium intensity, clear bright, Bosc pear skin colour in the glass.
Nose: Lighter aromas of mint, pears, apricots, black pepper and stoniness. The hint of mint disappears and you get a more general stone fruit array of aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium body, with a smooth, soft, round, but thicker texture. Not quite mouth filling. Oranges, dried stone fruits, plus touches of honey and grape stem. The wine gets some pepperiness from the mid-palate to the finish. Add pears to the list of flavours after decanting.
Finish: A medium-plus to long finish with dried apricots, honey plus touches of grape stem and bitterness. Thick mouthfeel to the end. You get a more general range of stone fruit flavours on the finish after decanting.
Another serious, yet delicious wine, from Township 7. I quite enjoy the deep aromas and flavours. Decanting is not needed.
Rating: – 
The Township 7 Benchmark Series Raju Vineyard Viognier 2023 offers a bright Bosc pear skin hue with delicate aromas of mint, pear, apricot, and stony minerality, shifting to broader stone fruit notes after decanting. The palate is dry and smoothly textured, featuring orange, dried stone fruits, and a hint of honey, with added pear and a gentle peppery lift mid-palate. A medium-plus to long finish rounds things out with apricot, honey, and subtle bitterness, all wrapped in a thick, satisfying mouthfeel.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
These wines are available to order online from the Township 7 website, but the Gewürztraminer is only available to wine club members. I’ve been enjoying their wines for many years and think that having a membership and accessing these club exclusive wines is a great benefit.
