November 23rd, 2024- 2 Wine Stories –From Garnet Valley, Solvero & Garnet Valley Ranch.  

 

New wineries in Garnet Valley, Solvero & Garnet Valley Ranch Plus  Two from Bottleneck Drive,  Dirty Laundry and Pamplemousse Jus.

 

 

As much as I like to follow the wines we all share, I’m equally driven by the people who make them. The battles they wage against weather and mankind!

Best of all are the stories they tell. Every wine has a story.

Those are the people and stories I want to share with you on Tasting Room Radio.

 

Christine Coletta – Co-founder of Okanagan Crush Pad/Haywire etc and now Garnet Valley Ranch Wines

Alison Moyes – GM and Winemaker at Solvero Wines in Garnet Valley.

Discover Garnet Valley Ranch, a quick 7 minute drive from the town of Summerland!  The 320-acre ranch is a working farm that is surrounded by natural habitat, organic vineyards, fields of ground crops and a lavender farm. A small pond attracts more than 70 species of birds and wildlife. With no immediate neighbours, the site is tranquil and relaxing. There are places to hike and horseback riding options, or go off grid, listen to nature, and read a book while you sip wine.

 

Christine talks about the wines being planted, grown, harvested and released.

Christine Coletta is one of the veteran leaders in the BC wine industry. We’ll also be talking about the future of BC wine.

 

Her only “next door”  neighbor in Garnet Valley  is Alison Moyes and the team at Solvero Wines.

Solvero Wines: Summerland's Newest Winery Now Open - My VanCity

“It was just a dense forested mountainside, very steep slopes, very challenging terrain to farm. But over the course of two years, a 16-acre vineyard was planted in 2016. Then we started building the winery in 2020 to be able to produce the wines. And then finally, we’ve just finished this beautiful new tasting room and  we’re ready to launch this year.” Alison Moyes (Global TV)

 

This destination, is one of the highest vineyards in BC,  almost 600 metres. Its perfect for growing their signature  releases  of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

By hiring Alison Moyes, they’ve found the final piece of the puzzle.

She learned her  winemaking craft through years at Stoneboat, Osoyoos Larose and Liquidity.

Enjoy the conversation between acknowledged winery leaders and  neighbours. Both creating new wines in a new  destination. We get to taste and compare the same varietals from both locations.

www.solverowines.ca

www.okanagancrushpad.com

 

Then a short trip down the road to Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive.

 

Jordan Kubeck – owner/winemaker Pamplemousse Jus natural winery  (Bottleneck Drive)

Okanagan Crush Pad Announces Changes to the Winemaking Team - My VanCity

Jordan Kubeck winemaker/owner at Pamplemousse Jus

One of BC’s most admired new wineries is Pamplemousse. Not only making highly creative natural wines, they are  also creating “natural” converts with every season.

Jordan has been making wine in BC since 2010. After working at Cellar Tek, Okanagan Crush Pad and Lightning Rock, Jordan was excited to launch her own project along with her husband Tyler Knight and business partner James Langford-Smith in 2021.

Pamplemousse Jus is natural wine! Neutral vessels, basket press, manual labor and wild ferments create these wines. The wines are made in a garage turned winery with basic winemaking equipment and a whole lot of happy hearts. The Pamplemousse Jus team works hard, experimenting with unusual blends and winemaking styles to bring you the freshest, yummiest wines possible.

 

 

Mason Spink  Winemaker at Dirty Laundry (Bottleneck Drive)

A Q&A with our Winemaker Mason Spink

Mason Spink

When the recent Top 50 BC wines were announced, at the very top of the list – the wine of the year was

Dirty Laundry’s 2022 Cellar Series Gamay.

Wine of the year' is Dirty Laundry Cellar Series Gamay

this wine stood out among all entries for it’s exceptional quality and distinctive character, earning the highest honor in the competition.” Okanagan Wine Festivals.

Dirty Laundry Vineyard | Okanagan Wineries

dirty laundry

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Mason Spink winemaker at Dirty Laundry Vineyards

After study at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont. by 2009, he was making wine and, in 2013, he left See Ya Later Ranch to join Dirty Laundry. Since Mason Spink took over as winemaker in 2013, Summerland’s Dirty Laundry Vineyard has doubled production. He likes to make serious, interesting wines but they don’t have to be pretentious. Over his time at Dirty Laundry he has been evolving the house style and winning awards. Including #1 at the new Top 50 in BC hosted by the Okanagan Wine Festivals

The vineyards were originally planted in the 1970s and are now some of the Okanagan Valley’s oldest vinifera vines.

Mason takes us through some of their recent releases and their plans for replanting vines lost in the latest winter freeze.

The other voice you hear belongs to Leeann Froese, the owner of Town Hall Brands. An outstanding  wine advisor and marketing firm.

 

www.dirtylaundry.ca

www.pamplemoussejus.ca

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Meyer Family

The Hatch

Township 7

Fort Berens

Hillside

Black Swift

Howling Bluff

Artema

Hester Creek

2025 Van Wine Fest

The State of BC Wine