Stefanie Schales 8th Generation

Stefanie Schales, co-proprietor along with her husband Bernd, of 8^th Generation Wines in Summerland, led the BC Wine Appreciation Society through a tasting of twelve of their wines recently. She spoke about last year’s vintage and how 2016 was starting. Stefanie mentioned that there was a lot of flowering happening in the Okanagan, with lilac, fruit trees and vineyards all budding, which was pretty early for mid-late April.

The Schales come by their winemaking savvy quite honestly. It is in their blood. Both families have backgrounds in Riesling. Bernd’s family was making wine in Germany in the 1700s, which gave rise to the name 8^Th Generation (though Stefanie’s family’s winemaking roots go back even further.) Stefanie’s family vineyard is in Würmsberg near Stuttgart and Bernd’s family roots are in the Rheinhessen.

We began with two sparkling wines

1. Confidence 2014 – 100% Pinot Noir, Frizzante style done in the tank method, grown for rosé, red berries on the palate. (limited quantities left)                                                                                                                                             $20
2. Integrity 2015 – 75% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Gris, 5% Gewürztraminer, fruity aromas of peach and citrus. new release                                                                                                                                                                                                   $20
3. Chardonnay 2014 – from Okanagan Falls, 100% barrel fermented, 5 month aged sur lees, gentle oak, pleasant fruit, just what you’d expect from a well made BC Chardonnay.   (limited quantities left)                                                                                                                    $19.15
4. Riesling Classic (dry) 2015 – from Okanagan Falls, 30-year-old vines, a fantastic year, early start, crisp, minerality. New release.                                         $18.26

5. Riesling Select 2013 – Okanagan Falls estate, 28-year-old vines, field yeast, whole bunch ferment, picked 2 weeks later than the rest, if it goes sideways, it would be added to the classic tank. Dry, diesel, dry apple, mineral and lime. Excellent. (limited quantities left)                                                             $24.78

6. Riesling Select 2015 – tank sample, delicate, quite different than the 2013. (not yet released)                                                                                           $TBA

7. Riesling 2014 – Okanagan Falls estate, voted “Best in Canada” (Double Gold), 29-year-old vines, elegant, classic, (limited quantities left) $18.26
8. Pinot Meunier Rosé 2015 – very good, strawberry, rhubarb and citrus notes, from Summerland vineyard, originally grown for champagne. 24 hours skin contact, gently pressed with the skins, usually gone by mid June, 700 cases made, buy it if you see it. New release.                                                                             $18.26
9. Pinot Noir 2013 – very good, Summerland vineyard, BC style, serve with mushroom and truffles, 12 months in French oak, serve with lamb, mushroom risotto or goat cheese. New release.                                                            $21.30
10. Cabernet Merlot 2014– 80% merlot from their Okanagan Falls vineyards and 20% cabernet sauvignon from a Naramata site. 30% aged in new French oak. I suggest holding this one for the vintage year, plus five. New release. $20.86                                                                                                                         
11. Syrah 2013 – wonderful nose, violets, red fruit, pepper, medium-body, aged 12 months in old (5 – 6 year) barrels. (limited quantities left)                          $21.74
12. Red One 2015 – no oak, serve chilled, easy to enjoy, fun, 90% merlot, 10% syrah. New release.                                                                             $19.15                                                                                                                               

 

The glass walled De Dutch venue provided a great view of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains. People strolling by on the concourse outside the restaurant, looked in enviously at those seated inside with 12 glasses of wine in front of them. It was a very lovely evening. Everyone enjoyed listening and tasting with the ever bright and charming Stefanie Schales.