Category: merlot

Earlier this summer, I had a chance to visit Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet, BC.  I have admired their wines since they started, and I’ve been letting wine lovers know that they are producing excellent wines in Lillooet.  There are two wines that I did not have a chance to try on my visit.  Luckily, co-owner, Heleen Pannekoek, gave…

Here are my last two wines from Osoyoos’ Adega on 45th Estate Winery for you; A 2024 Rosé and a 2020 Malbec.  The Rosé is made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes.  Let me tell you about them. My Wine Tasting Notes Adega on 45th Estate Winery Rosé 2024 (BC $24.99.  A wine club exclusive.) Winemaker’s notes, a blend of…

My last winery visit while I was staying in the Osoyoos area was the La Stella Winery.  I met with tasting room manager, Wade Martin, as he poured me their recent wine releases and discussed wines in general.  Their winery like other Okanagan wineries was affected by the 2024 winter blast.  Out of 70 acres of planted vines, they were…

Vanessa Vineyard, located in the Similkameen Valley, may not be a well-known winery to many, but it should.  Winemaker, Howard Soon, joined Vanessa in 2017 after retiring from Sandhill Wines.  He has won over 100 awards for the wines he has crafted and has received the Order of Canada.  Recently there was the 2025 Top 50 BC Wine awards and…

If you have not heard of After 93 Vineyards & Estate Winery, you are not alone.  It was also new to me.  But, it is owned by the same family that operates Bordertown Vineyards & Estate Winery in Osoyoos, BC.  In 1993, the Gill family embarked on a journey to Canada with the aspiration of forging a brighter future.  In…

If you visit Osoyoos and stay at the Spirit Ridge Resort or visit the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, you will drive past Adega on 45th Estate Winery.  The winery and tasting room is at the top of a hill slope and gives you a wonderful view of Osoyoos.  The winery was recently taken over by Gate 22 Winery, which has…

Did you know that Nk’Mip Cellars is North America’s first Indigenous-owned winery?  An enterprise of the Osoyoos Indian Band, the winery’s core identity is linked to the land, its Syilx heritage, and a mission to express its culture through internationally award-winning wines. The winery’s mission is to express its cultural identity and history in every aspect of its operation and…

Today I tasted the battle of the blends.  An epic battle royale between two iconic red wines made by Hester Creek Estate Winery.  Wines of phenomenal origin and destiny, The Judge and Garland are crafted from the best barrels in their cellar, and are an authentic expression of our South Okanagan terroir.  These are heavy bottles with solid corks. Their…

I think we are all grateful in BC for the rainy weather we had recently to combat the forest fires, as well as water our trees, gardens, and vineyards.  The sunny weather is coming back, as summer is not yet over.  I received two red wines from Osoyoos’ Bordertown Vineyards & Estate Winery to review for you.  The two wines…

For many years, I’ve known Privato Winery in Kamloops for their premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.  But times change as original family-owned winery owners bow out, and the winery is either taken over by their children, sold to someone outside the family, or the winery is shut down.  For Privato, the winery has been transitioned over to their children,…