Have you heard of one of our newest BC wineries, Domaine Artema Winery? The winery is located on Black Sage Road in Oliver, just down the road from Burrowing Owl. They opened their doors to the public earlier this year. This winery notes that it specializes in Chardonnay and Gamay Noir wines. Gamay Noir is the grape grown primarily in Beaujolais, France, just south of Burgundy. The climate is a bit warmer, which is not the best for Pinot Noir grapes, but works well for Gamay Noir. Both grapes are lower in tannins and higher in acidity, making them very food friendly. I received six different wines from Domaine Artema winery to review for you. The first two wines on my tasting schedule are their Chardonnay and Pinot Gris Village 2024. Their vines were hit hard by the 2024 winter freeze, so the grapes for these wines come from WA state. Let me tell you about these two wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Domaine Artema Winery Village Chardonnay 2024 (BC $34.90)
Winemaker’s notes, “The grapes were picked early to preserve natural acidity. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks…Full malolactic fermentation (MyWinePal: to give it a buttery texture and softer acidity) and aging sur lie in tank, with periodic stirring lend a soft, rounded mouthfeel…“
Appearance: a bright clear, medium intensity lemon colour.
Nose: Light aromas of apple along with touches of stone fruits, pineapple, spice and butterscotch. After decanting, I tasted apple and spice mainly.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body with a round, thicker mouthfeel. Medium-plus intensity flavours of pineapple, apple and touches of sweet spices pepperiness, and butterscotch. The wine has a lightly buttery texture. Medium-plus acidity. After decanting, the pineapple flavour became stronger and I detected a touch of oak.
Finish: A medium-plus length, finishing with flavours of pineapple, and touches of sweet spice and pepperiness. No change to the finish after decanting.
Rating: 
Domaine Artema Winery Chardonnay Village 2024 presents a bright lemon colour with subtle aromas of apple, stone fruit, pineapple, spice, and a hint of butterscotch. The palate is dry and rounded with a lightly buttery texture, showing pineapple, apple, and sweet spice flavours balanced by medium-plus acidity. After decanting, the pineapple notes become more pronounced, complemented by a touch of oak.
Domaine Artema Winery Pinot Gris Village 2024 (BC $29.90)
Winemaker’s notes, “This PInot Gris Village was fermented in 100% stainless steel using a carefully selected yeast to help accentuate the tropical flavours in the wine. Racked off lees following fermentation…”
Appearance: a clear, deep golden colour.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas of citrus and dried stone fruits, plus light pineapple and grape stem. With decanting, the pineapple aroma is more pronounced, and I get a touch of oak.
Palate: This wine is dry, medium bodied with a smooth, soft, round mouth feel, and a thicker texture. Medium acidity. Medium intensity flavours of ripe stone fruits, pears and pineapple, plus a touch of pepperiness. After decanting, the wine has a leaner mouthfeel, less stone fruit flavour and more pineapple, plus a touch of oakiness.
Finish: A medium-plus to long length finishing with stone fruit, honey and/or floral, and a touch of pepperiness. After decanting, there is less stone fruit flavour and more pineapple on the finish.
Rating: 
– Domaine Artema Winery Pinot Gris Village 2024 shows a deep golden colour with citrus, dried stone fruit, pineapple, and a hint of grape stem on the nose. The palate is dry and smooth with ripe stone fruits, pear, and pineapple flavours supported by medium acidity. After decanting, the wine becomes leaner with more pronounced pineapple and light oak notes that continue through the finish.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines are available for purchase from the Domaine Artema Winery website:
