In celebration of International Rosé Day on Friday, June 28th join River Stone for their Rosés and Summer Days.
Full details follow below the wine notes.
Notes from the winery: The winter freeze of 2022 presented us with a uniqueopportunity to innovate and experiment outside of our bold, Bordeaux-style red portfolio, resulting in a series of fun summer rosés unlike any we have made before. These limited-edition wines are a result of our team’s resilience and creativity, which we are excited to release for the first time on International Rosé Day, June 28th, 2024.
This selection of Rosé wines are available online or at select wine shops.
2022 River Stone Rosé
Vineyard Notes
The grapes for our Rosé were sourced from our Boulder City Vineyard situated just North of Oliver in the South Okanagan. The season started with bud break on April 27th. The weather was cool in May and through June with flowering 2 weeks later than usual. August also had cooler than normal nights. Early September was wetter and cooler than normal but was followed by a return to seasonal norms up to the end of October. Harvest decisions were based on winemaker’s personal preference with particular attention to sugar/acid balance and flavor. The grapes were harvested on October 17th. The vineyards are all farmed sustainably with exceptional care and attention to canopy and water management ensuring the best possible quality of fruit.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes for our Rosé were hand picked, and destemmed and skins broken in the crusher. This year we pressed the Syrah immediately to limit color extraction. Our Cabernet Franc had 4 hours skin contact time before pressing then combined with the Syrah juice prior to fermentation. The blend was 50/50. Then the clarified juice underwent a cool temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was further aged 3 months on the finer lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. After final blending with a small amount of Viognier, we fined, filtered, and bottled.
Tasting Notes
Our 2022 Rosé is made from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Syrah grapes grown in our Boulder City Vineyard. This wine has an elegant soft Provence rose colour with floral aromas and flavours reminiscent of strawberries, raspberries and rose petals. It has a bright acidity and a delicate lasting finish.
Silver Medal Winner, All Canadian Wine Championship 2023
Silver Medal Winner, WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2023
Silver Medal Winner, SavorNW Wine Awards 2024
$24.90 available online and at select wine shops
2022 River Stone Malbec Rosé
Vineyard Notes
The grapes for our Malbec Rose were sourced from growers in the South Okanagan, including River Rock Vineyard, our home vineyard which surrounds our winery in Oliver BC. The season started with bud break on April 27th. The weather was cool in May and through June with flowering 2 weeks later than usual. August also had cooler than normal nights. Early September was wetter and cooler than normal but was followed by a return to seasonal norms up to the end of October. The vines were farmed sustainably with particular care and attention to canopy and water management. Harvest decisions were based on winemaker’s personal preference with particular attention to sugar/acid balance and flavor. The grapes were harvested October 18th. The vineyards are all farmed sustainably with exceptional care and attention to canopy and water management ensuring the best possible quality of fruit.
Winemaker Notes
The Malbec was hand picked, and destemmed. Our Rose is made in a traditional style where we cold soak the grapes for between 24 and 48 hours and then fully press, separating the pulp from the juice. In doing so we are extracting some of the rich, dark Malbec color as well as some of the skin tannin which enhances the wines mouth feel. Then the clarified juice undergoes a cool temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is further aged 3 months on the finer lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. The 2022 vintage was then blended with 10% Pinot Gris and 5% white Merlot, back sweetened slightly, fined, filtered and bottled. The result is a beautiful, vibrantly colored rosé.
Food Pairing Notes
Brilliant with cheese and charcuterie on the deck in the early afternoon or have it with light grilled seafood. There is enough structure in this wine to be very food versatile or you can just enjoy it on it’s own.
$24.90 available online and at select wine shops
2023 River Stone Sparkling White Merlot
Vineyard Notes
The grapes for our Sparkling White Merlot were grown on our estate vineyard, River Rock Vineyard, which surrounds our winery in Oliver BC. The vines were in their 20th leaf when the fruit was harvested. The winter of 2022-23 saw several cold weather events where temperatures dipped below critical bud health values. There were many predictions of possible primary and secondary bud death. Bud break started on April 28th but was uneven and many primary buds, as predicted, were dead. Spring was cool but by late April the weather was warming up. May was nice and warm as was the remainder of the summer. The volume of fruit was down significantly in our vineyards which resulted in a slightly early harvest date. Harvest decisions were based on winemaker’s personal preference with particular attention to sugar/acid balance and flavour. The grapes were harvested September 13th and 14th. The vineyards are all farmed sustainably with exceptional care and attention to canopy and water management ensuring the best possible quality of fruit. The vineyards are all on south facing slopes where soils are composed of rock, sand, and gravel laid down during the last glacial recession.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were hand picked, and destemmed then transferred to our press, where the juice was separated from the skins, minimizing colour transfer. Following clarification, the juice was inoculated with a specific yeast and underwent a temperature controlled fermentation. The wine is left to rest for several months on the finer lees helping to develop mouthfeel and texture after which we fine and filter. Then carbonation is added just prior to bottling. The resulting wine has a beautiful, light salmon colour.
Tasting Notes
This wine is currently showing aromas and flavours reminiscent of cherry, strawberry, raspberries, and rose petals. Fine carbonation bubbles evoke a lively, soft, pleasing mouthfeel with a clean lasting finish.
$27.90 available online and at select wine shops
2023 River Stone Sparkling Syrah Rosé
Vineyard Notes
The grapes for our Sparkling Syrah Rosé were grown on our Boulder City Vineyard in Oliver, BC. The winter of 2022-23 saw several cold weather events where temperatures dipped below critical bud health values. There were many predictions of possible primary and secondary bud death. Bud break started on April 28th but was uneven and many primary buds, as predicted, were dead. Spring was cool but by late April the weather was warming up. May was nice and warm as was the remainder of the summer. The volume of fruit was down significantly in our vineyards which resulted in a slightly early harvest date. The vines were farmed sustainably with particular care and attention to canopy and water management. Harvest decisions were based on winemaker’s personal preference with particular attention to sugar/acid balance and flavor. The grapes were harvested September 18th. The vineyards are all on south facing slopes where soils are composed of rock, sand, and gravel laid down during the last glacial recession.
Winemaker Notes
The Syrah was hand picked, and destemmed. We made the Sparkling Syrah Rosé in a traditional style where we cold soak the grapes for between 24 and 48 hours and then fully press, separating the pulp from the juice. In so doing we are extracting some of the rich colour as well as some of the skin tannin which enhances the wines mouth feel. Then the clarified juice undergoes a cool temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is further aged 3 months on the finer lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. The 2023 vintage was then blended with 10% Pinot Gris and 5% White Merlot, fined and filtered. The carbonation was added just prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes
This wine has a beautiful, rich rose colour and is currently showing bold aromas and flavors reminiscent of cherry, strawberry, raspberries. Fine carbonation bubbles evoke a lively, soft, pleasing mouthfeel with a clean lasting finish.
$27.90 available online and at select wine shops
2023 River Stone Corner Stone Rosé
Vineyard Notes
The grapes for the Corner Stone Rosé were grown in our River Rock vineyard. The winter of 2022-23 saw several cold weather events where temperatures dipped below critical bud health values. There were many predictions of possible primary and secondary bud death. Bud break started on April 28th but was uneven and many primary buds, as predicted, were dead. Spring was cool but by late April the weather was warming up. May was nice and warm as was the remainder of the summer. The volume of fruit was down significantly in our vineyards which resulted in a slightly early harvest date. The vines were farmed sustainably with particular care and attention to canopy and water management. Harvest decisions were based on the wine style and winemaker’s personal preference with particular attention to sugar/acid balance and flavor. All of our vineyards are on south facing slopes where soils are composed of rock, sand, and gravel laid down during the last glacial recession.
Winemaker Notes
The Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, and Malbec were hand picked , destemmed and processed together. The Corner Stone Rosé was made in a traditional style where we cold soak the grapes 24-48 hours then fully press. In doing so, we are extracting some of the rich color as well as some of the skin tannin which enhances the wines mouth feel. Then the clarified juice undergoes a temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged three months on the fine lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. The 2023 vintage was then blended with 10% Pinot Gris and 5% White Merlot, fined, filtered and bottled. The result is a beautiful, vibrant, dark colored rosé.
Tasting Notes
This wine is currently showing bold aromas reminiscent of a bowl of lighter berries, and has a luscious, juicy finish. Perfect for the patio and enjoyed with good company. Serve slightly chilled.
$24.90 available online and at select wine shops
2023 River Stone Cabernet Franc Rosé
Vineyard Notes
The grapes for our Cabernet Franc Rose were grown in our Boulder City vineyard. The winter prior to the 2023 season saw several cold events where temperatures dipped below critical bud health values. There were many predictions of primary and possible secondary bud death. Bud break started on April 28th but was uneven and many primary buds were, as predicted, dead. Spring was cool but by late April the weather was warming up. May was nice and warm as was the remainder of the summer. The grapes were harvested September 18th. The vineyards are all farmed sustainably with exceptional care and attention to canopy and water management ensuring the best possible quality of fruit. Harvest decisions were based on winemaker’s personal preference with particular attention to sugar/acid balance and flavor. The vineyards are all on south facing slopes where soils are composed of rock, sand, and gravel laid down during the last glacial recession.
Winemaker Notes
The Cabernet Franc was hand picked, and destemmed. This year we made the Cab Franc Rosé in a traditional style where we cold soak the grapes for between 24 and 48 hours and then fully press, separating the pulp from the juice. In doing so we are extracting some of the rich color as well as some of the skin tannin which enhances the wines mouth feel. Then the clarified juice undergoes a cool temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is further aged 3 months on the finer lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. The 2023 vintage was then blended with 10% Pinot Gris, fined, filtered and bottled. The result is a beautiful, vibrantly colored rosé.
Tasting Notes
This wine is currently showing bold aromas and flavours reminiscent of strawberry, raspberries, and rose petals and has a luscious, dry finish.
$24.90 available online and at select wine shops
Celebrate International Rosé Day on Friday, June 28th at River Stone Estate Winery from 11am to 3pm!
Dive into a tasting journey through our new selection of River Stone rosés and bubbles, including the debut of our Corner Stone Rosé and Cabernet Franc Rosé, plus a refreshing rosé cocktail. South Okanagan Snacks will also be on site serving rosé slushie samples.
Stroll through the vineyard and explore the artisan market filled with many talented local vendors, savour delicious bites from the food trucks, enjoy live music by Bernie, and sip your way through summer with friends!
Vendors Include:
Tak-OH Food Truck
Hixzee’s Gourmet Food Truck
South Okanagan Snacks
Silver Spoons Vintage Jewelry
Shore Farm
Chalk the Valley
Seams Sew Creative
Tradition Praline
Hammock Hounds Pet Products
Adorables Studio
Little Bach Company
Oka Studio Designs
Chomp Cookie Co
Kewlchic Stylz
Little Valley Tallow
Kreutopia Arts
Claire Candle Company
…and more!
Tickets:
Adults (19+) | $25+tax in advance | $30+tax at the door
Adults (19+) Alcohol Free Option | $15+tax | Use code NONALC at checkout
18 Years & Under | FREE | No ticket required
Includes a tasting of our new rosés, an engraved River Stone wine glass, River Stone swag, entry to the artisan market, and a portion of all tickets sales will be donated to Desert Sun Counselling. Limited tickets available at the door. Wine club members receive 10% off tickets.
Please note: This is a drop in event between the hours of 11am to 3pm. Food trucks will be on site until 5pm.
Save Water, Sip Rosé!
About River Stone Estate Winery
River Stone Estate Winery, located in Oliver, BC is surrounded by our hand tended vineyard. When we moved to the Okanagan Valley we chose this site for its superb grape-growing qualities and planted the vineyard with a Bordeaux style blend in mind, which we have called Corner Stone.
As our winery name, River Stone, and vineyard name, River Rock Vineyards suggest, our wines come from the deep rock and gravel soils laid down following the last glacial recession. We grow five red Bordeaux varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, as well as several white varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer.
Long sunlit summer days followed by fall’s warm days and cool nights have consistently produced premium quality fruit.
Tasting Room
Book a Wine Tasting
Our Tasting Room is open 7 days a week from 11am to 5pm.
We welcome walk-ins, but we recommend making a reservation in advance.
We offer 3 unique wine tasting experiences to choose from:
Taste the Terroir Experience
Garden View Seated Tasting
Vineyard Tour & Tasting
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