She Does It Again. Whistler Sommelier Samantha Rahn Releases Her Second Wine with Okanagan Crush Pad

Whistler’s Samantha Rahn, wine director at Araxi Restaurant and Sommelier of the Year 2013, releases Samantha Chardonnay 2014 ($22.90), a wine she made at Okanagan Crush Pad winery in Summerland, BC.

Okanagan Crush Pad winery in Summerland has quickly earned a reputation for crafting dynamic wines that express the outstanding growing conditions and terroir of the Okanagan Valley. As such, the winery has been called upon to create some very unique private label projects which have turned into marketplace successes. Each project created to date for the hospitality and private retail sectors is very specialized and designed to be exclusive and fit a particular need.

Samantha Rahn first came to Okanagan Crush Pad as a recipient of the 2013  Okanagan Wine Campus program which was launched in 2011, in an effort to further British Columbia’s already rich wine-and-food culture. Each year, the winery opens its doors to the recipient of the British Columbia Sommelier of the Year award, and works with that person to create his or her own wine label.

The Samantha Syrah 2013 which was released this past fall was so highly sought-after that Rahn decided to throw herself head first into making and releasing another wine, this time a Chardonnay as one of Okanagan Crush Pad’s custom crush clients.

“Samantha is a true champion of BC wine. One look at the wine list she created confirms her conviction that our region, as diverse as it is, is mighty and capable of greatness. Placing herself squarely in the face of the challenges that we all face in making and selling wine, gives Samantha a true understanding of the decisions that we make along the way”, noted Okanagan Crush Pad owner Christine Coletta. “I have come to learn that making wine is the easy part. The true test comes when you take it to market.”

“I’m truly honored to be able to keep the Samantha project going in partnership with Okanagan Crush Pad. Working with Christine Coletta and every member of her team is really a pleasure – they are true professionals in every way, from organizing packaging and marketing materials, to getting wine out to the customers. Winemaker Matt Dumayne is super smart and I’m learning so much from him and his wealth of experience. The Samantha wines are just a tiny snapshot of what he is capable of, and what Okanagan wines can be. There are so many options out there and exploring them with Matt and the team is very rewarding”, states Samantha Rahn.

The Samantha Chardonnay 2014 ($22.90) comes from select lots of the Canyonview Vineyard in Summerland, BC. The wine is created entirely in concrete, free from any tricks or manipulations, pure, and clean. No oak, wild ferment, just a snapshot of what the vineyard gave us in the gorgeous 2014 growing season. Zippy acidity and freshness, zesty citrus and ripe pears, refreshing after a great ride with friends, or anytime.

The wine is available direct from the winery and at the Whistler Farmers Market this summer. “It’s exciting to have the wine available in my Whistler neighborhood and I’ll be drinking and sharing plenty of it in the mountains this summer!”, notes Rahn.

Okanagan Crush Pad winery is a unique purpose-built custom crush facility that specializes in crafting small lot, vineyard-driven 100% BC wines. From its ponderosa-surrounded location in beautiful Summerland, BC, the winery is home to Haywire and Narrative wines, as well as the Okanagan Wine Campus program. Owners Christine Coletta and Steve Lorniehave amassed a talented team of British Columbia-born and international consultants. For more information visit: www.okanagancrushpad.com.