The Harvest
From the heat of Summer to the ripening of our grape harvest as we head into the cooler days and nights of September, the process of flavours and sugars coming together accelerates to maturity. Irrigation has come to an end by mid-month in anticipation of picking blocks of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Gamay Noir by the end of the month or first week of October in our vineyard.
We now have a tank in the winery cofermenting 2016 Gewurztraminer and Orange Muscat picked a few weeks ago and cold-soaked. It will be carefully blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Gris at a later date for an aromatic, just slightly, barely off-dry white blend. Its new product name will be announced once the blend has been balanced and established just before release early next year.
The wine shop and tasting room is now sold out of 2014 Chardonnay, Hidden Corner red blend and Gamay Noir. The 2015 Gamay Noir, a slightly spicier take, has now been released and is selling briskly. This Beaujolais-inspired chilled red wine has found its way on many tables and back decks next to our gently oaked Chardonnay this past summer along with our tasty Pinot Gris.
For so many lovers of Chardonnay, our 2014 vintage was a satisfying balance of fruit and soft oak from both new French barrels and neutral barrels blended back together again before bottling. The 2015 vintage promises to surprise and satisfy once again, as we continue to convert more people to our classic Chardonnay.
Hidden Corner proved to be a surprise hit with its blend of two thirds Merlot and one third Cabernet Franc. We are encouraged to bring more cases of Hidden Corner’s 2015 vintage to market next Spring.
The GaragisteNorth Small Wine Guys Festival was held in Penticton enjoying another active reception from wine enthusiasts who discovered new small wineries who make no more than 2,000 cases a year. All together in one venue makes for a popular get-together for those wanting to enjoy wines not readily available elsewhere. This year, wine sales were included. Our 2015 Gamay Noir made its debut there and in addition to samples enjoyed, the only case of Gamay we brought with us was sold out quickly, in addition to our Pinot Gris and Compass. The wine we didn’t bring, our 2014 Cabernet Franc, was repeatedly asked for and anticipated. However, (unlike our Chardonnay and Hidden Corner), vinAmité can still offer four fine wines at the winery. This year, we’ll bring the Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris at the last major event of the year, Oliver’s Festival of the Grape.