Adding to my list of hidden gems, Bottega Wine Studio in Cawston certainly fits the bill. There’s a sign on Highway 3, south of Keremeos, but it would be easy to miss unless you were specifically looking for it. (What? Use GPS? Who, me?) Turn into the gravel driveway, spot the distinctive white pickup truck, and you’ll know you’ve arrived.
But why seek it out? For starters, Daniel Bontorin is a talented winemaker with a long-standing reputation as the “King of Rosé.” His work has helped demonstrate just how versatile a well-made rosé can be.
Gone, for the most part, are the days when sweet rosés, such as white Zinfandel, put wine drinkers off the style. Today, pale, dry rosés have a firm place in the wine world, and the “rosé any day” philosophy makes good sense. These wines are remarkably versatile at the table, pairing well with everything from salmon, chicken and turkey to sushi. Daniel’s approach draws inspiration from the well-crafted rosés of Provence, France.
From Consulting Winemaker to Winery Owner
Daniel has an extensive résumé in the British Columbia wine industry. After completing his wine studies in 2000, he gained experience at several wineries, including Fairview Cellars, Hillside and Hester Creek, before heading to northern Italy for a vintage. In 2005, he became winemaker at Le Vieux Pin, where he produced Vaïla, a Pinot Noir rosé that helped establish his reputation.
Over the years, Daniel has also worked with wineries including La Stella, Volcanic Hills and Bordertown, along with other consulting clients. His experience across different wineries and vineyard sites has allowed him to work with a range of grape varieties and winemaking styles.
In 2012, he launched Seven Directions, a label devoted exclusively to rosé. Without a winery of his own, he initially produced the wines through an established winery, a model often referred to as a virtual winery.
The idea was to focus on rosé rather than dilute the label’s identity by adding red and white wines. As the business evolved, Daniel introduced Bottega Wines for premium small-lot reds and whites. More recently, he and his wife, Kristine, added K Little Vintners, a label offering approachable red and white wines.
In 2019, the couple purchased a five-acre property in Cawston. There was plenty of work to do. Old cherry trees had to be cleared, irrigation installed, and vineyard posts set in place. They also renovated the small blue house on the property to make it more comfortable for their family.
In 2020, they planted just over 3.5 acres of vines, primarily Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Grenache. Grenache can be challenging in colder winters, so managing the vineyard carefully is important. The couple’s estate vineyard, named Solum Rosa, provides fruit for their wines, while grapes from other growers give Daniel the flexibility to explore additional varieties and sites.
The tasting room opened in 2023, giving the couple a place to welcome visitors and showcase their wines in the heart of the Similkameen Valley.
Three Labels, Three Approaches
Seven Directions remains the rosé specialist. Inspired by Provence and the couple’s blended family of seven, the label focuses on dry, small-lot rosés made from selected grape varieties and vineyard sites. Offerings include Pinot Noir and Grenache rosés, along with other varieties and blends depending on the vintage.
Daniel takes rosé seriously, treating it as a wine in its own right rather than an afterthought. His approach emphasizes fruit quality, flavour and texture, with the aim of producing wines that work just as well at the dinner table as on the patio. The result is a style that goes beyond the familiar summer aperitif and deserves a place alongside a meal.
Bottega Wines is home to premium red and white wines. The range has included Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, with production deliberately kept small. Some bottlings are made in particularly limited quantities, depending on the quality and availability of the grapes.
Daniel’s interests extend beyond rosé. He also enjoys working with aromatic white varieties and producing reds with depth, structure and aging potential. Keeping production small allows him to concentrate on the individual characteristics of each wine.
The newest addition, K Little Vintners, takes a more casual approach. The name pays tribute to Kristine’s family name, Little, and the wines are designed to be accessible without sacrificing character.
The range has included My White, a Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer blend, and My Red, a Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend, as well as a Cabernet Franc bottling. With its relaxed personality, K Little Vintners offers an easy introduction to the couple’s wines while maintaining the attention to detail that runs through all three labels.
Together, the three labels give Daniel room to explore different varieties and styles without losing sight of what distinguishes each one. The common thread is careful winemaking, quality fruit and a commitment to small production runs.
Worth Seeking Out
Bottega Wine Studio reflects the direction Daniel and Kristine have taken since their early days as a virtual winery: building a home for their own wines while drawing on Daniel’s experience as a winemaker and consultant.
Having an estate vineyard gives them greater control over some of their fruit, while sourcing grapes from other growers allows Daniel to work with additional varieties and vineyard sites. That combination makes sense for a small producer interested in exploring different expressions of the region without committing to large volumes of any one wine.
For anyone exploring the Similkameen Valley, Bottega is worth adding to the itinerary. Whether your preference is a crisp rosé, a fragrant Viognier or a structured red, there’s more here than the “King of Rosé” nickname might suggest.
And if you’re heading down Highway 3, keep an eye out for that sign. You wouldn’t want to drive past this hidden gem.
You can find the winery at:
665 Beecroft Avenue, Cawston
Call ahead to make an appointment:250-502-4308.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
