The “dog days of summer” are right around the corner.  It seemed that just last week the kids got out of school and now here we are, half way through July.  The dog days are a time, usually late July to late August, which is characterized by hot, sultry days that could drive a dog mad.  In fact, the name is derived from Sirius , the brightest of the stars in the constellation Canis Major(Greater Dog).  It also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky and it is so vivid that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it.  Its name is derived from Seirios the Greek word for “glowing” or “scorching.”

This is also the time of year when friends and relations dropping by to visit and invariably want to tour some of the spectacular wineries in the Okanagan Valley.  I think this is great because it give us a chance to get out and check out wineries that we seem to take for granted and usually not visit.

We had an appointment at the iconic Okanagan Falls winery, Blue Mountain to pick up some wine for a seminar I co-hosted on Thursday night.  Previous only able to visit by appointment, the wine shop is open most afternoons until 5pm.  While there, we stocked up on more of their sparkling Brut ($24).  Accounting for approximately 40% of their total production, this is a blend of 61% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay, and 3% Pinot Gris.  A fantastic wine with delicate fine, soft bubbles, fresh on the palate with mouth filling fruit flavour of apricots, pears and figs, the refreshing acidity and long creamy fruit-filled finish makes this perfect on its own or with salmon, prawns, spicy Thai rolls or goat cheese.

Next stop was south of Oliver to Road 13 winery where we were picking up more wine for the seminar and a meeting with the winery General Manager, Donna Faigaux.  Donna has been in the BC wine industry in some capacity over the past 16 years and now oversees the day-to-day operations and acts as a liaison between the owners, winery staff and the sales team.

Originally founded in 1998 by Peter and Helga Serwo, two veteran grape growers in the south Okanagan, the winery was purchased by Pam and Mick Luckhurst in 2003 after moving from Vancouver Island, looking for a better way of life.  They had previously worked in the lumber industry, owned a building supply business and were involved in property development in British Columbia and Alberta. 

Realizing that they had bitten off quite a mouthful and that their idea of a laid-back Okanagan lifestyle was not going to happen, they began to focus their efforts on learning the business.  As their press release states, “I’m not the type of guy who likes to sit around,” says Mick.  “It just isn’t me.  I came to the wine business with the same skills that I had been successful with all my life, a strong work ethic and determination.”

While Mick started learning about viticulture, Pam oversaw the wine shop and business administration.  A background in banking, bookkeeping and managing different aspects of their previous businesses along with a very strong customer service ethic came in handy.  However, as Pam states about her wine knowledge, “it was basic, we drank what we thought we liked and never veered from it.”  But she was excited about the wine business and jumped into her role of heading up the wine shop, overseeing customer service, sales and administration.

While there, we tried a few of their wines.  Sourced from the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in BC (planted in 1968) and possible the oldest vinifera vines in BC, the 2010 Old Vines Chenin Blanc ($20) is a spectacular wine showcasing buckets of vibrant tropical fruit and honeysuckle with a lush, unctuous texture on the palate.  The finish lingers with crisp, vibrant acidity.  Could be the best from BC!!

I was shocked at the lively, refreshing fruit characteristics in 2009 Jackpot Riesling ($30).  Huge flavours of green apple, pear, grapefruit and pineapple with hints of flinty mineral and orange rind.  This is a bone-dry Riesling with lively, balanced acidity.  Not for the faint-of-heart.  A true Riesling lovers Riesling.

A six varietal blend, the 2009 Road 13 Rockpile ($25) is a huge wine for the price.  Loaded with fragrant aromas of sweet raspberry, kirsch, strawberries, spice box, leather and smoke, the palate is well structured with its rich flavours of black and red fruits, spice, soft acidity and firm tannins. This is not a fruit bomb but an elegant, refined wine.  Fantastic to enjoy now for the sheer power of it but will reward with 3-5 years of cellaring.

Next week, we’ll visit a brand new winery that we’ve found who are producing fantastic wines on a very limited scale.

In Vino Veritas