Originally posted at http://ontariowinediva.blogspot.com
Our sixth winery opened its doors in 1997 but rather quickly gained a reputation for excellent wines and great hospitality and outgrew their original buildings in Naramata, BC. Consequently, in 2004, Red Rooster Winery opened its new doors 10 minutes south of their original location. Their new hospitality building allows guests to discover and taste their wines, explore wonderful works of art from local artists in their own gallery and to enjoy lunch on their picturesque patio.
The people behind Red Rooster Winery don’t like to call their wineshop a “wineshop” because it is so much more than that. The Hospitality building does feature there tasting bar but they also have displays featuring the talents of local artists and it does change on a regular basis – every month during the summer and every other month during the “off season” a new artist is brought in and, quite often, there is so much stuff to display, it can spill out onto the lawns of the winery. Also, if you get a little nibbly, they do offer a light lunch type of menu – salads, antipasto, cheese platters can all be enjoyed on the patio in the summer months while soaking up some gorgeous Okanagan sun.
Now, about those wines – they make 22 different wines, some of which are currently sold out, but still a nice selection nonetheless. The price per bottle ranges from anywhere between $13.99 and $37.99 (for a 2005 Reserve Merlot) and they encompass the full range of white, red and rose for you to choose from.
Wineshop and gallery open daily.
Patio open during summer months.
Red Rooster Winery
891 Naramata Road
Penticton, BC
V2A 8T5
(250) 492-2424
Fax: (250) 492-2400
email: info@redroosterwinery.com
http://www.redroosterwinery.com
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Seventeen Days - Day 5
Originally posted at http://ontariowinediva.blogspot.com
On the fifth day of the Olympics, we raise a glass, in honour of our athletes, of Wayne Gretzky Estates 2007 Merlot. On the day that the Canadian Men’s Hockey team takes to the ice for the first time – against Norway – we feel it is completely appropriate that the wine we drink tonight is the wine from the last General Manager of our Men’s Hockey team who led them to winning the Gold. Now, it’s not just the first night of Men’s hockey – there is more skiing, snowboarding, luge, skating and biathlon but we also see the first round of action for both our Men’s and Women’s Curling. Just a quick note about this wine – it has a fruit-forward style highlighted by aromas of blackberry and cherry. Rich, rounded palate and moderate tannins frame ripe berry fruit, finishing with mocha and oak spice. Possible food pairings – mild curries, pork tenderloin, souvlaki, chili or stew – everything we would love to eat at this time of the year to keep us warm. To grab a bottle – or two – of this wine which retails at $15.95 a bottle, visit your local LCBO, the winery itself or order online at http://www.gretzky.com/wine/wines.php.
On the fifth day of the Olympics, we raise a glass, in honour of our athletes, of Wayne Gretzky Estates 2007 Merlot. On the day that the Canadian Men’s Hockey team takes to the ice for the first time – against Norway – we feel it is completely appropriate that the wine we drink tonight is the wine from the last General Manager of our Men’s Hockey team who led them to winning the Gold. Now, it’s not just the first night of Men’s hockey – there is more skiing, snowboarding, luge, skating and biathlon but we also see the first round of action for both our Men’s and Women’s Curling. Just a quick note about this wine – it has a fruit-forward style highlighted by aromas of blackberry and cherry. Rich, rounded palate and moderate tannins frame ripe berry fruit, finishing with mocha and oak spice. Possible food pairings – mild curries, pork tenderloin, souvlaki, chili or stew – everything we would love to eat at this time of the year to keep us warm. To grab a bottle – or two – of this wine which retails at $15.95 a bottle, visit your local LCBO, the winery itself or order online at http://www.gretzky.com/wine/wines.php.
2010 Olympics – Day 5
Originally posted at http://ontariowinediva.blogspot.com
I love a good fruit based wine – it is such a refreshing change from grape based wines and our next winery – Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery – is one of two fruit wineries we will highlight during the course of the 2010 Olympics. This winery boasts 21 fruit wines with a sugar level of anywhere from bone dry (0) to a Late Harvest level of 7.
Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery has a long and interesting history. Originally, Ted Atkinson founded Summerland Sweets in an effort to help fundraise for his local Rotary Club by making a fruit jelly candy using the fruit from the orchard he owned. From that small fundraising effort grew a “retirement project” and Summerland Sweets Ltd. was born. After years of Summerland Sweets Ltd., Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery was created and is now thriving under the same principles that have made Summerland Sweets Ltd a family name. To compliment the thriving sweets business, Ted hired Ron Taylor to become Sleeping Giant’s winemaker. Ron had previously worked for over 20 years with Andres wines – a massive wine company responsible for producing over 5 million liters of wine annually. Ron had retired from Andres a few years previously but had been working with a variety of small wineries in both British Columbia and Washington state as well as some consulting jobs in mainland China. His focus had been on reviving the fruit wine component of the industry so when the opportunity came along to work with Sleeping Giant, it seemed like a natural fit.
Looking at their list of wines, which is impressive, there are two that intrigue me and they both have Pumpkin in their name. I have an uncle who is a Pumpkin fanatic – he would love to have pumpkin pie with ever family dinner if he could but we insist on Plum Pudding for Christmas. In fact, one year I even made him Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream – in the dead of winter – for Christmas dinner. Now, my Uncle doesn’t drink but I always find it interesting when I come across something that is not normally pumpkin based so that would definitely be one wine I’d like to try out myself.
Winery open daily for tasting and purchases
Sleeping Giant Winery (at Summerland Sweets)
6206 Canyon View Road
Summerland, BC V0H 1Z7
1-800-577-1277
(250) 494-0377
email: sleepinggiant@telus.net
http://www.sleepinggiantfruitwinery.ca
I love a good fruit based wine – it is such a refreshing change from grape based wines and our next winery – Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery – is one of two fruit wineries we will highlight during the course of the 2010 Olympics. This winery boasts 21 fruit wines with a sugar level of anywhere from bone dry (0) to a Late Harvest level of 7.
Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery has a long and interesting history. Originally, Ted Atkinson founded Summerland Sweets in an effort to help fundraise for his local Rotary Club by making a fruit jelly candy using the fruit from the orchard he owned. From that small fundraising effort grew a “retirement project” and Summerland Sweets Ltd. was born. After years of Summerland Sweets Ltd., Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery was created and is now thriving under the same principles that have made Summerland Sweets Ltd a family name. To compliment the thriving sweets business, Ted hired Ron Taylor to become Sleeping Giant’s winemaker. Ron had previously worked for over 20 years with Andres wines – a massive wine company responsible for producing over 5 million liters of wine annually. Ron had retired from Andres a few years previously but had been working with a variety of small wineries in both British Columbia and Washington state as well as some consulting jobs in mainland China. His focus had been on reviving the fruit wine component of the industry so when the opportunity came along to work with Sleeping Giant, it seemed like a natural fit.
Looking at their list of wines, which is impressive, there are two that intrigue me and they both have Pumpkin in their name. I have an uncle who is a Pumpkin fanatic – he would love to have pumpkin pie with ever family dinner if he could but we insist on Plum Pudding for Christmas. In fact, one year I even made him Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream – in the dead of winter – for Christmas dinner. Now, my Uncle doesn’t drink but I always find it interesting when I come across something that is not normally pumpkin based so that would definitely be one wine I’d like to try out myself.
Winery open daily for tasting and purchases
Sleeping Giant Winery (at Summerland Sweets)
6206 Canyon View Road
Summerland, BC V0H 1Z7
1-800-577-1277
(250) 494-0377
email: sleepinggiant@telus.net
http://www.sleepinggiantfruitwinery.ca
Monday, February 15, 2010
Seventeen Days - Day Four
Originally posted at http://ontariowinediva.blogspot.com.
On the fourth day of the Olympics, we raise a glass, in honour of our athletes, of my favourite White Meritage from Ontario – Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery 2007 Nuit Blanche. Ever since I had this wine, when Harald Thiel brought a bottled that day Nuit Blanche to an Ontario Wine Society event I was organizing, I have been in love with this wine. The current vintage – 2007 - has a rich mouth feel with sweet fruit characters and a lingering finish. The wine shows refined aromas of papaya, guava fruit, Chinese allspice and smokey minerality. On the Olympics schedule for today we have another Canadian Women’s Ice Hockey game – against Switzerland – as well as more cross country skiing, speed skating, figure skating and luge. The new addition to the sports lineup is Men’s Snowboarding – qualifications, semi finals and finals, all in one day. Given how exhausted those guys will probably be that day, I think it is our patriotic duty to have a glass of this amazing wine for them. To get your hands on this wine, call the winery at (905) 563-8700 or order this wine online at http://www.hiddenbench.com/store/index/display/sku/250. $40 a bottle but completely worth the expense.
On the fourth day of the Olympics, we raise a glass, in honour of our athletes, of my favourite White Meritage from Ontario – Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery 2007 Nuit Blanche. Ever since I had this wine, when Harald Thiel brought a bottled that day Nuit Blanche to an Ontario Wine Society event I was organizing, I have been in love with this wine. The current vintage – 2007 - has a rich mouth feel with sweet fruit characters and a lingering finish. The wine shows refined aromas of papaya, guava fruit, Chinese allspice and smokey minerality. On the Olympics schedule for today we have another Canadian Women’s Ice Hockey game – against Switzerland – as well as more cross country skiing, speed skating, figure skating and luge. The new addition to the sports lineup is Men’s Snowboarding – qualifications, semi finals and finals, all in one day. Given how exhausted those guys will probably be that day, I think it is our patriotic duty to have a glass of this amazing wine for them. To get your hands on this wine, call the winery at (905) 563-8700 or order this wine online at http://www.hiddenbench.com/store/index/display/sku/250. $40 a bottle but completely worth the expense.
2010 Olympics – Day 4
Originally posted at http://ontariowinediva.blogspot.com.
Mission Hill Winery has been described as one of the most architecturally stunning buildings in the Okanagan. It took six long years, a dedicated team of professionals and a vision unique unto its own to design, develop and build one of the most impressive looking wineries in British Columbia. When you visit Mission Hill Winery, make sure to remember your camera because you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to snap a few pictures.
Now, Mission Hill Winery is more than just impressive architecture. It is the largest, independently owned wineries in British Columbia, has 23 different wines over 4 tiers, and a restaurant that has been named “One of the top Five winery restaurants in the World” by Travel and Leisure Magazine. Whether you’re an architectural buff, looking for great wine or want to have one of the best meals possible while visiting the Okanagan, Mission Hill Winery has something for you. All of their tours include a wine tasting so you have a chance to try the wines before you buy – and buy you will – but it is highly recommended that you book ahead because they do fill up quickly.
Wine Shop open year round except December 25th, 26th and January 1st.
Tours available January 2nd – October 15th.
NOTE: Not all tours are available at all times, check website for details.
Restaurant opens for lunch May 14th – September 19th
Restaurant opens for Tapas June 26th – September 5th
Mission Hill Family Estate
1730 Mission Hill Road
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada
V4T 2E4
Main 250.768.7611
Retail Store 250.768.6498
General Information 250-768-6448
Facsimile 250.768.2267
E-mail info@missionhillwinery.com
http://www.missionhillwinery.com
Mission Hill Winery has been described as one of the most architecturally stunning buildings in the Okanagan. It took six long years, a dedicated team of professionals and a vision unique unto its own to design, develop and build one of the most impressive looking wineries in British Columbia. When you visit Mission Hill Winery, make sure to remember your camera because you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to snap a few pictures.
Now, Mission Hill Winery is more than just impressive architecture. It is the largest, independently owned wineries in British Columbia, has 23 different wines over 4 tiers, and a restaurant that has been named “One of the top Five winery restaurants in the World” by Travel and Leisure Magazine. Whether you’re an architectural buff, looking for great wine or want to have one of the best meals possible while visiting the Okanagan, Mission Hill Winery has something for you. All of their tours include a wine tasting so you have a chance to try the wines before you buy – and buy you will – but it is highly recommended that you book ahead because they do fill up quickly.
Wine Shop open year round except December 25th, 26th and January 1st.
Tours available January 2nd – October 15th.
NOTE: Not all tours are available at all times, check website for details.
Restaurant opens for lunch May 14th – September 19th
Restaurant opens for Tapas June 26th – September 5th
Mission Hill Family Estate
1730 Mission Hill Road
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada
V4T 2E4
Main 250.768.7611
Retail Store 250.768.6498
General Information 250-768-6448
Facsimile 250.768.2267
E-mail info@missionhillwinery.com
http://www.missionhillwinery.com
Seventeen Days - Day Three
Originally posted at http://ontariowinediva.blogspot.com
On the third day of the Olympics, which is also Valentine’s Day, we raise a glass, in honour of our athletes (and our sweethearts), of Black Prince Winery 2008 Chardonnay Terroir Elite. This wine is completely unique in the Ontario wine industry because, for the first time ever, we have Prince Edward County grapes aged in barrels from The Carriage House Cooperage which is a local cooperage house in Prince Edward County – the only one of its kind. Never before have the grapes and the barrels been so closely linked and the wine they created together is one to be enjoyed over a candlelight dinner or while watching one of many different sports this Sunday. There is Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Biathlon, Luge, Speed Skating, Moguls or Figure Skating to choose from…or even Ice Hockey if you want to watch another country play. There were only 100 cases of this wine produced and, at $29.95 a bottle, these wines are going to fly off their shelves. Available at the winery or through their website - http://www.blackprincewinery.com/index.php?id=15 – to get your hands on this wine before it is all gone.
On the third day of the Olympics, which is also Valentine’s Day, we raise a glass, in honour of our athletes (and our sweethearts), of Black Prince Winery 2008 Chardonnay Terroir Elite. This wine is completely unique in the Ontario wine industry because, for the first time ever, we have Prince Edward County grapes aged in barrels from The Carriage House Cooperage which is a local cooperage house in Prince Edward County – the only one of its kind. Never before have the grapes and the barrels been so closely linked and the wine they created together is one to be enjoyed over a candlelight dinner or while watching one of many different sports this Sunday. There is Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Biathlon, Luge, Speed Skating, Moguls or Figure Skating to choose from…or even Ice Hockey if you want to watch another country play. There were only 100 cases of this wine produced and, at $29.95 a bottle, these wines are going to fly off their shelves. Available at the winery or through their website - http://www.blackprincewinery.com/index.php?id=15 – to get your hands on this wine before it is all gone.
2010 Olympics – Day 3
Originally posted at http://ontariowinediva.blogspot.com.
There is so much that can be said about Summerhill Pyramid Winery that it is hard to know where to start. The owner has won the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, the winery is Canada’s most visited winery, the wines are aged in a pyramid and they have won awards that, in a logical sense, should have been impossible to win. Stephen Cipes, owner, has been described as looking more like a spiritual visionary than a Wall Street hard-nose. When he first visited the Okanagan in 1986, he believed he had found the perfect conditions – i.e. terroir – to grow intensely flavoured small grapes, which is the perfect base for sparkling wine so he set off developing his plans for Summerhill Pyramid Winery.
You know how I mentioned that Stephen Cipes seems more like a spiritual visionary than a Wall Street hard nose? Well, Stephen has put a lot of time, care and spirituality into his approach with Summerhill Pyramid Winery. The wines are aged in a geometrically precise pyramid that is aligned to True North. Although there are benefits to performing the final step in wine production inside a pyramid – for both the wine and the people working inside it – the website is quick to point out there are no easy answers to how the pyramid shape benefits this step except to say “the Pyramid connects us to the unseen world of pure form, and to things surpassing the intellect's understanding.” If you are interested in learning more about why the pyramid was built and the benefits attained by using it in wine production, there winery’s website has much more detailed information and, when visiting the winery, if you ask, they will play a video that was made for them by UCLA professor Dr Valerie Hunt showing some of these benefits in action.
So, how does this translate into great wine? Well, using the pyramid to age wine in, combined with the organic practices used in the vineyard, as well as their biodynamic practices in the vineyard have created wines that repeatedly win awards against almost insurmountable odds. One of Stephen’s happiest moments with his winery was when they won gold in Champagne, France…against French Champagnes. Aside from their outstanding sparkling wines, Summerhill Pyramid Winery also makes reds, whites, a variety of Icewines and three specialty wines two of which are bottled in uniquely shaped bottles – a Jazz Blush in trumpet shaped bottles and a Late Harvest Ehrenfelser in a violin shaped bottle. With the variety in their wine list, their Organic restaurant on site and the unique architecture of their winery, why not stop by Summerhill Pyramid Winery and become visitors of Canada’s most visited winery?
Wine shop and tastings available year round.
Tours available at 12 noon and 2 pm
Restaurant closed from January 2nd to February 10th; open daily the rest of the year.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery
4870 Chute Lake Road
Kelowna, BC Canada
V1W 4M3
(250) 764-8000
toll free: 1-800-667-3538
fax: (250) 764-2598
info@summerhill.bc.ca
http://www.summerhill.bc.ca/
There is so much that can be said about Summerhill Pyramid Winery that it is hard to know where to start. The owner has won the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, the winery is Canada’s most visited winery, the wines are aged in a pyramid and they have won awards that, in a logical sense, should have been impossible to win. Stephen Cipes, owner, has been described as looking more like a spiritual visionary than a Wall Street hard-nose. When he first visited the Okanagan in 1986, he believed he had found the perfect conditions – i.e. terroir – to grow intensely flavoured small grapes, which is the perfect base for sparkling wine so he set off developing his plans for Summerhill Pyramid Winery.
You know how I mentioned that Stephen Cipes seems more like a spiritual visionary than a Wall Street hard nose? Well, Stephen has put a lot of time, care and spirituality into his approach with Summerhill Pyramid Winery. The wines are aged in a geometrically precise pyramid that is aligned to True North. Although there are benefits to performing the final step in wine production inside a pyramid – for both the wine and the people working inside it – the website is quick to point out there are no easy answers to how the pyramid shape benefits this step except to say “the Pyramid connects us to the unseen world of pure form, and to things surpassing the intellect's understanding.” If you are interested in learning more about why the pyramid was built and the benefits attained by using it in wine production, there winery’s website has much more detailed information and, when visiting the winery, if you ask, they will play a video that was made for them by UCLA professor Dr Valerie Hunt showing some of these benefits in action.
So, how does this translate into great wine? Well, using the pyramid to age wine in, combined with the organic practices used in the vineyard, as well as their biodynamic practices in the vineyard have created wines that repeatedly win awards against almost insurmountable odds. One of Stephen’s happiest moments with his winery was when they won gold in Champagne, France…against French Champagnes. Aside from their outstanding sparkling wines, Summerhill Pyramid Winery also makes reds, whites, a variety of Icewines and three specialty wines two of which are bottled in uniquely shaped bottles – a Jazz Blush in trumpet shaped bottles and a Late Harvest Ehrenfelser in a violin shaped bottle. With the variety in their wine list, their Organic restaurant on site and the unique architecture of their winery, why not stop by Summerhill Pyramid Winery and become visitors of Canada’s most visited winery?
Wine shop and tastings available year round.
Tours available at 12 noon and 2 pm
Restaurant closed from January 2nd to February 10th; open daily the rest of the year.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery
4870 Chute Lake Road
Kelowna, BC Canada
V1W 4M3
(250) 764-8000
toll free: 1-800-667-3538
fax: (250) 764-2598
info@summerhill.bc.ca
http://www.summerhill.bc.ca/
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