It was late September and for the most part our trip had been glorious sunshine and high 20’s weather, fantastic. On this Thursday evening there was just a scattering of clouds off in the distance. The views from Poplar Grove and the restaurant are quite stunning and we enjoyed watching the setting sun as we enjoyed a lovely dinner for two.
First we started with a private wine tasting in the Poplar Grove wine club member’s tasting room. It’s chilly in there but you hardly notice as you sip some excellent wines. The offerings for our visit were three delightful Rosés and an interesting white.
Here are the wines that we tasted:
2021 Rosé
Wine Profile
46% Malbec, 32% Merlot, 11% Cabernet franc, 6% Pinot Noir, 4% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
Medium light rose petal pink. Aromas of fresh raspberries and apricot combine with an enticing hint of blood orange. A robust palate of ripe nectarines and cantaloupe is well-balanced with delicate citrus notes. Enjoy as a light, fresh opener to an evening or as a stand-alone aperitif.
Vineyard Notes
2021 arrived from one of the easiest winters we have seen with no bud or vine death detected. Bud burst was a full week ahead of 2020 so it was an earlier than normal start to the season. Early spring was dry and cool. A light frost in mid-May occurred but the vines were unscathed. May’s average temperatures were between 20°C– 25°C. First heat arrived the end of May; 40°C in Osoyoos that lasted for 2 days. With only a couple days of rain, it was one of the driest springs on record. The last week of June set records with a 7-day heat dome which brought 46°C Osoyoos, 44°C in Skaha, and 43°C in Penticton. The remainder July enjoyed consistent heat with temperatures in the mid to high 30’s°C. The first week of August saw some cloudy skies due to smoke from fires but the next 2 weeks of August were crystal clear and hot with very little precipitation. August 20th saw the cooler weather move in and 25°C the norm. September was beautiful, sunny and warm, 25°C – 30°C, perfect for ripening grapes. Whites were harvested 10-14 days earlier than average. Because of the heat dome the estate vineyards were 15-20% down in tonnage but showed excellent fruit quality. The reds were harvested at the normal time with good tonnage. An average temperature of 23 °C the vineyard for October which meant lovely weather for picking grapes. The Munson Mountain Cabernet Franc was the last of the red grapes to be picked on October 31.
Winemaker Notes
Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon bunches were hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. Each varietal was kept separate. The extracted juice from the crushed grapes was left on skins for four hours, then cold settled and fermented at 15 C to preserve the bright fruit flavours. The yeast consumed most of the grape sugars leaving 1.0 g/l and yielding a wonderfully complex dry rose.
Other Notes
This wine is meant to be enjoyed upon release. Drink this year into 2023 for best enjoyment!
Lovely floral scents, some rose, appples and a bit of peach to round out the bouquet.
Dense and more flavourful, riper fruit with excellent acidity. Very refreshing.
Rosé Nouveau 2021 Low Alc
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Medium rose petal pink. Aromas of fresh raspberries and peach combined with a hint of grapefruit . A robust palate of ripe nectarines and red fruit is well-balanced with delicate citrus notes. Enjoy as the perfect summer sipper or with a light salad.
Vineyard Notes
2021 arrived from one of the easiest winters we have seen with no bud or vine death detected. Bud burst was a full week ahead of 2020 so it was an earlier than normal start to the season. Early spring was dry and cool. A light frost in mid-May occurred but the vines were unscathed. May’s average temperatures were between 20°C – 25°C. First heat arrived the end of May: 40°C in Osoyoos that lasted for 2 days. With only a couple days of rain, it was one of the driest springs on record. The last week of June set records with a 7-day heat dome which brought 46°C in Osoyoos, 44°C in Skaha, and 43°C in Penticton. The remainder of July enjoyed consistent heat with temperatures in the mid to high 30’s °C. The first week of August saw some cloudy skies due to smoke from fires, but the next 2 weeks of August were crystal clear and hot with very little precipitation. August 20th saw the cooler weather move in and 25°C became the norm. September was beautiful, sunny and warm, 25°C – 30°C, perfect for ripening grapes. Whites were harvested 10-14 days earlier than average. Because of the heat dome, the estate vineyards were 15-20% down in tonnage but showed excellent fruit quality. The reds were harvested at the normal time with good tonnage. An average temperature of 23°C in the vineyard for October meant lovely weather for picking grapes. The Munson Mountain Cabernet Franc was the last of the red grapes to be picked on October
Winemaker Notes
Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon bunches were hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. The extracted juice from the crushed grapes was left on skins for four hours, then cold settled and fermented at 15°C to preserve the bright fruit flavours. The yeast consumed most of the grape sugars leaving 2.36 g/l and yielding a wonderfully complex dry Rosé. During its fermentation life, each varietal was kept separate to ensure proper care of each grapes qualities. The finished wine was then treated with modern membrane technology to remove the ethanol but leave the colour and aromas of the wine intact. Enjoy a glass of this delicious Rosé for only 85 calories.
Other Notes
This wine is meant to be enjoyed upon release. Drink this year into 2023 for best enjoyment.
A bright pink in colour with very light floral scents.
Crisp with flavours of cranberries, light and dry.
Lakeview Rosé 2021
Wine Profile
100% Merlot
Tasting Notes
This single vineyard rosé exhibits fragrant aromas of white cherry,raspberry and strawberry. In the glass, cherry and cranberry flavours emerge, with a mineral finish. With its balanced acidity and medium bodied structure this dry rosé can be enjoy as a fresh opener to an evening or as a stand-alone aperitif.
Vineyard Notes
2021 arrived from one of the easiest winters we have seen with no bud or vine death detected. Bud burst was a full week ahead of 2020 so it was an earlier than normal start to the season. Early spring was dry and cool. A light frost in mid- May occurred but the vines were unscathed. May’s average temperatures were between 20°C – 25°C. First heat arrived the end of May: 40°C in Osoyoos that lasted for 2 days. With only a couple days of rain, it was one of the driest springs on record. The last week of June set records with a 7-day heat dome which brought 46°C in Osoyoos, 44°C in Skaha, and 43°C in Penticton. The remainder of July enjoyed consistent heat with temperatures in the mid to high 30’s °C. The first week of August saw some cloudy skies due to smoke from fires, but the next 2 weeks of August were crystal clear and hot with very little precipitation. August 20th saw the cooler weather move in and 25°C became the norm. September was beautiful, sunny and warm, 25°C – 30°C, perfect for ripening grapes. Whites were harvested 10-14 days earlier than average. Because of the heat dome, the estate vineyards were 15-20% down in tonnage but showed excellent fruit quality.
Winemaker Notes
100% single vineyard Merlot was harvested on October 1, 2021 for the Lakeview Rosé from the estate Lakeview Vineyard. This vineyard is situated on the Naramata Bench between our Davenport and Chapman vineyards overlooking Lake Okanagan. The Merlot grapes were harvested, processed and fermented in stainless steel. Juice from the Merlot was extracted from the red grapes before any significant skin contact occurred. The juice was then cold settled & fermented at 15°C to preserve the bright fruit flavours.
Other Notes
This wine is meant to be enjoyed upon release. Drink this year into 2024 for best enjoyment!
A lovely bronze tinge to this wine in the bottle. Very fruity aromas, stronger floral notes than the first Rosé, stone fruit, strawberries and raspberry scents.
Smooth and mellow, very tasty, great acidity and pleasantly dry. This was my favourite of the three rosés.
Blanc de Franc 2021
100% Cabernet Franc
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Clear, pale lemon in colour. Lush aromas of thyme flower and Bartlett pears fill your senses. Medium-bodied and vibrant acidity mix with bright minerality. Flavours of Keylime and gooseberry create a refreshingly balanced wine.
Vineyard Notes
2021 arrived from one of the easiest winters we have seen with no bud or vine death detected. Bud burst was a full week ahead of 2020 so it was an earlier than normal start to the season. Early spring was dry and cool. A light frost in mid-May occurred but the vines were unscathed. May’s average temperatures were between 20°C – 25°C. The first heat arrived at the end of May: 40°C in Osoyoos that lasted for 2 days. With only a few days of rain, it was one of the driest springs on record. The last week of June set records with a 7-day heat dome which brought 46°C in Osoyoos, 44°C in Skaha, and 43°C in Penticton. The remainder of July enjoyed consistent heat with temperatures in the mid to high 30s °C. The first week of August saw some cloudy skies due to smoke from fires, but the next 2 weeks of August were crystal clear and hot with very little precipitation. August 20th saw the cooler weather move in and 25°C became the norm. September was beautiful, sunny and warm, 25°C – 30°C, perfect for ripening grapes. Whites were harvested 10-14 days earlier than average. Because of the heat dome, the estate vineyards were 15-20% down in tonnage but showed excellent fruit quality.
Other Notes
This wine is meant to be enjoyed upon release. Drink now until 2025.
Lightly scented, reminiscent of a Pinot Gris.
Very fruity with good depth, very good acidity with some light tannin, very dry, would make an excellent wine to pair with food. An interesting wine.
For dinner:
We started with a refreshing glass of bubbly, a 2014 Extra Brut which paired beautifully with the scenery outside our window table. The perfect way to start dinner.
Of course we had to have the Milk bread Parker rolls with cultured butter, fortification butter, and sea salt Next we each chose a small plate.
The Watermelon panzanella for me, with local tomatoes, buratta, fried focaccia, banyuls, basil and mint.
For hubby the Country fried oysters with comeback sauce and pickled ramp.
Our mains were the Crispy skin salmon with smoked roe, beets, crême fraiche and fresh horseradish. I couldn’t resist the lure of the Slow-baked ling cod served with a fried chicken wing, shellfish lakea, crispy garlic and chili oil.
Everything was just the best. The menu selection includes something for everyone including vegan options.
Service at the Poplar Grove restaurant is attentive with friendly, knowledgeable staff who go above and beyond to make sure your visit is all it should be. We had a wonderful time and it was a nice ending to a long day of wine touring and tasting.
Reserve Your Table
Experience refined nostalgia with curated ingredients from the
Okanagan and beyond.
Nestled on the slopes of Munson Mountain, The Restaurant at Poplar Grove offers exceptional views of Okanagan Lake while offering Chef Rob Ratcliffe’s unique vision of refined nostalgia. Rob grew up outside London and has fond memories of the endless international food available to him. He combines inventive and delicious ways to refine the nostalgic flavours of his youth along with the influences he gained throughout his career as a chef to create unique flavours. Our hospitality team is keen to provide each guest with friendly and engaging service as we strive to bring you the best the Okanagan Valley has to offer. And don’t forget to savour the award-wining wines of Poplar Grove while we create lasting memories for all our guests.
Hours of Operation
Lunch Hours
Thursday & Friday 11:30am – 2:00pm
Saturday 11:30am – 3:00pm
Brunch Hours
Sunday 11:00am – 4:00pm
Dinner Hours
Wednesday to Saturday 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Wine profile and bottle shots courtesy of the winery. My notes (in italics) Other images: MyVanCity. I received a complimentary wine tasting and dinner for two. note: The restaurant will be closed for dinner service on December 3rd for a private function.
