Category: Naramata Bench

Possibilities of Pinot mat

Possibilities of Pinot Seminar at Swirl BC 2024

 mywinepal  October 7, 2024  0 Comments on Possibilities of Pinot Seminar at Swirl BC 2024

What do you know about BC Pinot Noir?  Do you have a favourite winery or wine region in BC for Pinot Noir?  In today’s seminar, the Possibilities of Pinot, we were brought up to date on the state of Pinot Noir in BC.  Our Moderator for this seminar was Barb Philip MW.  Our panellists were either owners or winemakers from…

Coolshanagh Chardonnay 2019 and Coolshanagh Blanc de Blancs 2019

Chardonnay Two Ways from BC’s Coolshanagh WineryPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  September 1, 2024  0 Comments on Chardonnay Two Ways from BC’s Coolshanagh WineryPR SAMPLE 

Coolshanagh is a BC winery located on the Naramata Bench is owned by husband and wife team, Skip and Judy Stothert.  They are passionate about Chardonnay and Pinot Noir so they only grow these varieties for wine production. I received two bottles of their Chardonnay to review.  One is their Coolshanagh Chardonnay 2019 while the other is the first release…

Wine Growers of BC- BC Wine Regions Topo Map

The BC Wine Industry Welcomes Six New Sub-GIs

 mywinepal  June 30, 2022

In BC we relatively quickly learned that cooler climate grapes, like Riesling, did better in the north Okanagan, and warmer climate grapes, like Syrah, did better in the south Okanagan.  Similarly cooler climate grape varieties in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.  And more.  But we have had a few decades now to further refine these generalized grape growing regions…

Singletree Winery Merlot 2018 and Harness 2017

A Merlot and a Bordeaux Blend from Singletree Winery

 mywinepal  May 30, 2022

These are the first wines that I’ve opened since the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2022. Sometimes you need a short break from tasting wine after you taste a lot of wine. The two wines I tasted are from Singletree Winery.  They started off in the Fraser Valley but have expanded out into the Naramata Bench.  The two wines I tasted…

Mayhem Wines Fortified Gewurztraminer 2018

A Unique Wine in BC: Mayhem Wines Fortified Gewurztraminer 2018

 mywinepal  November 3, 2021  1 Comment on A Unique Wine in BC: Mayhem Wines Fortified Gewurztraminer 2018

This is likely the most unique wine made in BC; Mayhem Wines Fortified Gewurztraminer 2018.  Gewurztraminer is generally a grape that typically offers lychee, citrus, sweet spices and more; overall a very flavourful grape.  Mayhem Wines took their grapes and fermented them down to 19 brix before being fortified with 93% alcohol. This wine was then put to barrel and…

Upper Bench Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Quick Review: Upper Bench Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

 mywinepal  October 21, 2021

I checked the 7-day weather forecast for Vancouver, and it is RAIN every day. So time for me to open a big red wine. In this case, I opened the Upper Bench Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. It is 4 years old already and has many years left in it. This wine does have 5% Merlot in the blend to…

Upper Bench Estate Winery Estate Grown Merlot 2017 and Merlot 2018

Comparing Upper Bench Estate Winery Merlot 2017 and 2018

 mywinepal  September 14, 2021

It is fun when you have a chance to try two vintages of the same wine. In this case, I tasted the Upper Bench Estate Winery Estate Grown Merlot 2017 and their Merlot 2018. Both coming from the Naramata Bench.  I assume the 2018 grapes are sourced from other vineyards, outside of those owned by Upper Bench due to the…

Mayhem Wines Rosé and Pinot Gris 2020 in cans

Pinot Gris or Rosé in a Can To Go from Mayhem Wines

 mywinepal  May 15, 2021

Canned wines in BC seem to be the next big thing. I see many either on BC winery websites or other vendor sites. This week I tried my 2nd and 3rd BC canned wines. The Mayhem Wines Rosé 2020 and Pinot Gris 2020. They come in 250 ml cans. As it was a sunny day when I tried these two…

Roche Wines Tradition Pinot Gris 2018 and Texture Pinot Gris 2020

Two New Pinot Gris from Roche Wines – What’s the Difference?

 mywinepal  May 5, 2021

I have two organically farmed Pinot Gris from Roche Wines, both coming from their Kozier Organic Vineyard located north of their winery on the Naramata Bench. Their 2018 Tradition Pinot Gris comes under cork with a heavier glass bottle, while their 2020 Texture Pinot Gris has a lighter bottle and is under screwcap. I spoke with Dylan Roche about the…

Hillside Winery Merlot Malbec and Heritage Series Cabernet Franc

Hillside Winery Merlot Malbec and Heritage Series Cabernet Franc For Now and Later

 mywinepal  February 12, 2021

Here I have two bigger red wines from Hillside Winery, located on the Naramata Bench. One is their Heritage Series Cabernet Franc 2017, while the other wine is their Merlot Malbec 2018. The former is under cork while the latter is screwcap. These are two good indications of whether these wines are ready to drink now or can benefit from…