They say that when one door closes, another opens. For Judy Kingston, a car accident brought her 25-year law career to an end. Then during an Okanagan holiday in 2006, chance brought Judy Kingston to Naramata where she stumbled across a property that was for sale and had an epiphany. The door opened; then and there she decided to leave her Toronto life behind her and move to Naramata to open a winery. That is known as ‘serendipity’.
She and daughter Katie, O’Kell (currently on a wine making ‘sabbatical’ in New Zealand) run the winery, assisted by current winemaker Bradley Cooper who joined the team for the 2014 harvest. Her bottles all bear unique quotes that reflect her wine making vision.
Check these wines out for yourself and see what all the buzz is about.
2012 Pinot Noir
Serendipity
$25.00
“Think of beautiful things and beautiful things will happen.” This quote by Patrick O”Kell graces the label of Serendipity’s 2012 Pinot Noir. It also shows the silhouette of a woman reaching for an apple in a tree, which is different from other Serendipity labels. This is an impressive pinot noir. Dark cherry red in colour with medium plus intensity. The nose is layered with aromas of forest floor, earth, cherry, violets and white pepper. The wine is well balanced with medium body. Flavours of ripe cherry, cola nut, vanilla and spice on the palate followed by a medium-long finish. Serve this with mushroom risotto, duck confit, game or rabbit.
2013 Viognier
Serendipity
$20.00
This wine has received a lot of attention. It is lemon yellow in colour with medium intensity. Orange blossom on the nose with hints of peach, pear, and lemon peel. Well balanced with good body. The flavours follow the nose. The flavours build on the finish. “No great discovery was ever made without a bold guess.” Isaac Newton
2011 Merlot
Serendipity
$40.00
2011 was a tough year to ripen grapes in the Okanagan, but wise growers dropped a ton of fruit to concentrate the flavours into fewer bunches. Garnet black with deep intensity. A complex nose of dark fruit, cassis, earth, forest floor, spice and chocolate. Well balanced with good body and firm ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a lingering finish. This is no wimpy wine. Serve with grilled Italian sausages or lamb burgers. Only 550 cases were made of this terroir driven single vineyard wine. “The essence of life is the spirit of the grape.” Barb and Tom Ryder vineyard owners.
2014 Sauvignon Blanc
Serendipity
$20.00
This is definitely a BC styled sauvignon blanc, paying more homage to Sancerre than New Zealand. Golden yellow in colour, with medium-light intensity. The nose is an interplay of lime, melon, grapefruit and a hint of smoke. Well balanced with good body. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. “No great discovery was ever made without a bold guess.” Isaac Newton
2014 Rosé
Serendipity
$20.00
The 2014 rosé is made from a blend of red grapes. Cherry red in colour with medium-deep intensity. Cherry, strawberry and rhubarb on the nose. Well balanced with good body. Cherry and cranberry on the palate followed by a medium finish. “Curiosity often leads to trouble.” Lewis Carroll. Curiosity, in this case, led to a delicious rosé.
Thanks to Town Hall Communications for the bottle shots.
