Tag: Val Tait

For the 2023 harvest, many winegrowers reported their earliest start on record due to a hot, sunny summer. What did Wines of British Columbia have to say? From Wines of British Columbia, “Going into the summer season BC wineries knew they were facing the challenge of a reduced wine grape crop. “A devastating extreme cold event in December 2022 impacted…

The 2022 harvest is the first after COVID restrictions have been lifted.  I am sure that lifting COVID restrictions was appreciated by BC wineries.  We had a cool start to the growing season, followed by mere mm of rain between July and mid-October so I’d guess the weather has had an impact on harvest and fermentation, but we shall see…

Winemakers, besides making the wines their wineries are known for, also like to take on smaller projects. Testing out new methods or grape varieties. TERRE lab Winemakers Series wines are where Gold Hill Winery’s Val Tait gets to have some fun. These wines are made in very small lots (e.g. 70-80 cases or less). Bottled under the label TerreLab, they…

The 2021 harvest will surely be marked in our minds as COVID continues.  Plus during the summer there were major fires in BC, and now with the heavy rains and flooding, I’m sure the weather has had an impact on harvest and fermentation.  Socially distanced visitors to BC wineries ensued this year.  Overall, how did the BC grape growing season and…

The 2020 harvest and the days and months leading up to it will surely be marked in our minds. Starting in March we had the shutdown of our economy and quarantining to keep us safe from COVID.  In the summer there were major fires in California and Oregon, with the smoke travelling up to British Columbia.  Then in October the…

Here are two big red wines from Gold Hill Winery from Oliver in the South Okanagan.  Both are Merlot based.  Their Gold Hill Merlot 2014 coming in at 16.1% alc, and their Gold Hill Cabernet Merlot 2017.  It is interesting that the Merlot has a screw cap, while the Cabernet Merlot has a cork closure, with the screw cap being on…

Congratulations to Gold Hill Winery for bringing in Val Tait as their winemaker and viticulturist. I’ve had the pleasure of trying and writing about their wines on mywinepal.  Bringing on Val Tait with her years of winemaking experience at Bench 1775 will be very valuable.  Here is the press release. ~~~ Oliver, BC, May 29, 2020 – Gold Hill Winery Owners and…