Established in 2009, Fort Berens was the first winery to set down roots in Lillooet. The alluvial benches of the Fraser River were deposited thousands of years ago. The sagebrush-covered soils are made up of silt, sand, and gravel and this gives their wines a distinctive terroir that makes them a hit with so many wine lovers.
Winemaker Alessandro Nel has been at the helm since January 2021. Alex as he is more commonly known, earned degrees in both viticulture and oenology which makes him adept in both the vineyard and in the winery. He studied at South Africa’s Elsenburg University before going to work at Cederberg Winery in the Western Cape. In addition, he has done stints at wineries in California, France, and New Zealand. He finds that the terroir of this region helps give the wines a bright, fresh quality and in his winemaking, he strives for a balance of Old World elegance and the New World fruit-forward style.
2023 Vineyard Cider Rosé
$18.99
Assistant winemaker, Seth is also the owner and cidermaker at Lillooet Cider Company. Alex and Seth joined forces to create an exciting innovation. The apple cider base was made from Gala, Ambrosia, and Pink Lady apples blended with some Gewürztraminer and a dash of Merlot to add colour.
Lovely and refreshing at only 7.5% ABV. Queen Anne cherry red with medium-minus intensity. A very pleasant nose shows aromas of Ambrosia apples, Pink Lady apples, and Gala followed by citrus and tree fruit aromas. Good balance with a gentle sparkle. Pleasing flavours echo the nose followed by a medium finish. A lovely patio wine and perfect for summer picnics. (Note this offering is only available at the winery and through their online store.)
2022 Alluvium White
$!9.99
This is a blend of Riesling and Pinot Gris. The wines were blended after being cold fermented in stainless steel tanks. It was then aged on the lees for 5 months to enhance mouthfeel. The Pinot Gris adds body and tropical fruit to the blend while the Riesling contributes aromatic notes and a crisp freshness to the wine. Best consumed young.
“A refreshing and aromatic white blend showing a combination of kiwi, stone fruits, apples, limes, and a hint of grapefruit on the nose. This light-bodied wine features a crisp and lean finish on the palate. Enjoy this fresh and fruity white blend on its own, or pair it with a chicken sandwich or a fresh summer pasta.”
Pale lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. Citrus, mineral, white peach, melon, and green apple on the nose. Good balance. The palate shows flavours of honey, peaches, grapefruit, and Pink Lady apples. A medium-plus finish with a slight bitterness on the back end which provides a nice complement for foods. Serve with curries, Thai food, or a chicken Alfredo.
89 Points
2023 Rosé
$23.49
This rosé is dominated by Pinot Noir with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
“This luscious and juicy Rosé, made predominantly with Pinot Noir grapes, features aromatic notes of fresh strawberries, pomegranate, rose petals, and a hint of watermelon. Enjoy this elegant and refreshing wine poolside, or paired with grilled salmon or a fresh green salad.”
Pink/cherry red with medium-minus intensity. An inviting nose of cherry, wild strawberry, cranberry white peach, honeydew, and Gala apple peel aromas. Good balance. The aromas carry over to the palate along with some lavender notes followed by a medium-plus finish. Lovely on its own or pair it with grilled salmon, roasted chicken, or a strawberry and walnut salad. We enjoyed it with a curried chicken casserole.
89 Points
2022 Alluvium Cabernet Merlot
$24.99
A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
“An approachable red blend featuring loads of dark fruit on the nose including plums and mulberries, with hints of dark chocolate and mocha. A medium to full-bodied wine with grippy tannins and flavours of red berries and cocoa that linger on the finish. Enjoy this fruit-forward red blend with barbecue meats such as short ribs, or fresh pizza with sun-dried tomatoes and chorizo sausage.”
Garnet/ruby with medium intensity. Lots of red fruit on the nose including cherries, strawberries, cranberries, plums, and raspberries. Good balance with some drying tannins. Red fruit dominates the palate followed by a medium finish. Decant to give it lots of time to breathe and serve with robust foods if opening soon or let it rest and improve for another 3-5+ years.
88 Points
Fort Berens’ latest releases include:
2021 Blanc de Blanc Traditional Method Sparkling Wine
$34.99
This is Fort Berens’s first traditional sparkling wine. Made in the Brut style (2-7 grams per litre of residual sugar), this wine is dry and refreshing. Whole cluster pressed and aged ‘sur lie’ for 20 months, this Chardonnay comes from their Dry Creek Vineyard. Alex Nel states, ‘The hot days and cold nights in Lillooet give us nice, fresh acidity, which is very evident in this wine.”
“A refreshing dry, crisp sparkling wine showing a beautiful bouquet of toasted almonds and baked bread with lovely citrus blossoms following through. It has a delicate palate with a citrus finish. A beautiful sparkling wine to enjoy and celebrate life with. Pairs with oysters and other seafood.”
Light lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. The nose shows aromas of citrus, apple, biscuit, vanilla, and toast. Very good balance with good mouthfeel. Lemon, lime, and pineapple on the palate. A medium-plus finish. Quite yummy. I’ll age my next one for another 5 – 8 years.
90 Points
2023 Riesling
$22.99
Always a big award winner for the winery, the Riesling for this vintage came from Naramata 57% and Lillooet 43%. 12-hour skin contact and a long cold fermentation. Lees aging for 4 months enhanced the elegant and aromatic palate.
“An aromatic and refreshing Riesling showcasing aromas of orange blossoms, grapefruit, and tropical fruits. This slightly off-dry style Riesling shows an excellent balance between sweet and tart with a refreshing crisp finish on the palate. Pairs with almost anything, but especially sushi, beef tacos, and spicy dishes. This is also a great patio sipper. Great to enjoy now, and it can also be aged till 2028 or beyond.”
Pale lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. Lemon, lime, yellow apple, minerality, apricot, white flowers and a steely note on the nose. Good balance, refreshing, not tart. The palate shows flavours of citrus, mandarin, grapefruit, peach, and apple (Envy/Ambrosia). A medium-plus finish. A very versatile food wine.
91+ Points
2023 Pinot Gris
$23.49
Yields for this vintage were down to only 33% of normal. The grapes came from three vineyards, 74% from Osoyoos, 22% from their state Dry Creek Vineyard, and 4% from Lytton’s Winch Spur Vineyard. The juice sat for four hours on the skins to enhance flavours and then cold settled for 24 hours to add more structure and aromatics. Cold ferment enhanced the aromatics and 4 months of ‘sur lie’ aging added a creamy texture to the wine.
“A vibrant and aromatic Pinot Gris featuring notes of tropical fruit as well as white pear, citrus, and green apple. A refreshing wine that has a creamy texture with a crisp finish and lingering fruit-forward flavour. This wine is well-balanced and perfect for any occasion. Delicious to drink on its own or pair it with a grilled chicken salad, vegetable salad or sautéed seafood.”
Straw coloured with medium-light intensity. The nose shows aromas of apple, pear, juicy lime, nectarine, honeysuckle, and minerality. Good balance, bright and crisp with mouth-filling velvety texture. The aromas are interwoven on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. This one is sure to be a hit with any Pinot Gris lovers.
92 Points
2022 Chardonnay Reserve White Gold
$31.99
Half of these grapes were whole cluster pressed while the other half were crushed and destemmed and left on the skins for four hours before pressing. Cold fermented with natural yeast and then aged for 9 months in French oak barrels, 30% which were new, 30% second fill and 40% neutral, to achieve just the right level of oak in the wine. Partial malolactic fermentation adds to the overall complexity.
“On the nose, lemon zest, stone fruit, roasted nuts, and hints of honey blossom dominate the aromatic profile of our White Gold. On the palate, it shows a rich buttery mouthfeel, combined with a fresh acidity and well-integrated oak. This full-bodied and well-balanced Chardonnay has a beautiful, long finish. This wine is ready now, will peak by 2024 and can be aged till 2027. The ideal pairing is with decadent dishes such as lobster or bacon-wrapped scallops. Or try with roasted cauliflower and halloumi cheese, a mushroom-based risotto, or roasted chicken.”
Pale yellow with medium-light intensity. Delicate lemon, Ambrosia apple, mandarin, apricot, melon, honeysuckle, and straw on the nose. Very good balance. The palate shows flavours of lemon cream, green apple, pineapple, peach, butter, honey, and vanilla followed by a medium-long finish. Pair with lobster, scallops, sockeye salmon, chicken, or creamy pastas.
93 Points
2021 Merlot Reserve
$41.99
A blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. 42% came from the Dry Creek Vineyard and 58% from the Red Rock Vineyard. A two-day cold soak resulted in greater fruit extraction. Pumpovers every 4 hours further enhanced the colour and flavours. The wine was aged in 2nd and 3rd fill barrels for 15 months.
“An elegant Merlot showing a combination of dark, red fruit including plums, mulberries, and blueberries, with hints of vanilla following through. A medium-bodied wine that has a soft and smooth structure, with a juicy finish.”
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is aromatic with aromas of beetroot, black currant, cherries, rhubarb, earth, plum, and raspberry along with delicate notes of chocolate and cedar. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Be sure to decant and give this wine plenty of time to breathe so it can show its true colours.
93 Points
(All photos, except feature image courtesy of the winery, – Sam Hauck)
