The Ferment
The month of October was an eventful month for the Coulombe family at vinAmité. The harvest was excellent this year, very much in line with our hopes and expectations for all our wines. The vineyard is closed for the season, the grapes safely tucked away inside the winery as we go about the process of fermentation. Our grapes are in various stages of ferment, the whites and some reds in tanks and the rest of the reds going through pressing one at a time when the taste is just right after daily punch downs and pump overs.
We’re looking forward to the Spring release of our 2015 Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, and, new this coming year, the debut of vinAmité’s white blend. We will also be releasing a new red single varietal next season; more on that later.
October also saw vinAmité recognized for our wines at two separate wine award judgings. Not only were we completely caught by surprise, we were, and still are, very honoured for this recognition among so many great Okanagan wineries in this magical Valley of ours. • Gold, 2014 Compass, The 2016 British Columbia Wine Awards
- Gold, 2014 Cabernet Franc, The 2016 Great Northwest Invitational Wine Awards, Oregon, U.S.A.
- Gold, 2015 Gamay Noir, The 2016 Great Northwest Invitational Wine Awards, Oregon, U.S.A.
- Silver, 2014 Compass, The 2016 B.C. Best Varietal Wine Awards
- Silver, 2014 Chardonnay, The 2016 British Columbia Wine Awards
- Silver, 2014 Gamay Noir, The 2016 British Columbia Wine Awards
- Silver, 2014 Hidden Corner, The 2016 British Columbia Wine Awards
- Bronze, 2014 Cabernet Franc, The 2016 British Columbia Wine Awards
Although the main season of wine purchases is behind us, we remain open till the Holidays. Even in this comparatively slower period, customers continue to enjoy a cheese plate or appetizer platter with their favourite glass or bottle of vinAmité in our comfortable and relaxed Wine Lounge.
As winter approaches, skiers, snowboarders and snow lovers in general can now enjoy vinAmité wines beyond our doors: Gamay Noir at Mica Heli-Ski Lodge, Revelstoke; Pinot Gris, Compass and Cabernet Franc at Mustang Ranch Lodge, Revelstoke; and Compass at Woolsey Creek Bistro, Revelstoke. Closer to home at Big White outside Kelowna, find us at Kettle Valley Steakhouse.
You can also enjoy vinAmité Gamay Noir at Krafty and vinAmité Cabernet Franc at RauDZ Regional Table & Micro Bar•Bites, both in Kelowna.
Although I’m jumping ahead to this month of November for you folks in the area, the winter season will see a repeat of last year’s Winter in Wine Country (November 26 to December 6) at vinAmité with our popular Cheese Fondu for everyone who comes in to enjoy a glass of wine with the Coulombe family. It has fast become a local tradition here and often-mentioned treat.