It’s that time of year when we want to be cozy and what better way to spend a rainy day than with a glass of red wine from Township 7. Here are four red wines that speak to the benefits of cool weather sitting by the fireplace with a good book in hand. Just the right time to reach for a glass o wine from Township 7.
The Interlude Series marks a bold new chapter for Township 7. In the face of catastrophic cold weather and significant crop loss in 2024, our passionate winemaking team rose to the challenge with creativity and resilience. Sourcing grapes from premium, sustainably farmed vineyards in Washington and California, we crafted distinctive wines that reflect our unwavering commitment to quality.
The Interlude Series celebrates adaptability and craftsmanship, delivering memorable, character-driven wines that remain true to our core philosophy, dedicated to wines of uncompromising quality.
2024 Interlude Red
WINEMAKER NOTES
Grapes: 42% Pinot Noir, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 9% Syrah
Vineyard: Four Palms Vineyard, Sonoma, CA | Double D Vineyard, Orondo, WA
TASTING NOTES
This fruit-forward blend is approachable and effortlessly enjoyable, showcasing inviting notes of cherry, ripe strawberry, and subtle spice. The palate is soft and well balanced, with gentle tannins and a juicy, mouth-watering finish that encourages another sip.
STYLISTIC NOTES
The Pinot Noir and Syrah for this blend were sourced from Four Palms Vineyard in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, where sandy loam soils mixed with shale and volcanic ash contribute complexity and character. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were grown at Double D Vineyard in Washington’s Rocky Reach AVA, featuring wind-deposited sand and silt over cobblestone gravel. Both sites benefit from rocky, well-draining soils that retain heat and promote optimal ripening.
The varietals were fermented separately in a combination of stainless steel and large-format wood foudres before being aged for 18 months in French and American oak, adding depth, structure, and balance to the finished wine.
FOOD PAIRINGS
Try with Honey BBQ back ribs, Szechan chicken, or some Roquefort cheese.
$29.97 available online or at the winery
2024 Interlude Merlot
WINEMAKER NOTES
Grapes: 100% Merlot
Vineyard: Double D Vineyard, Orondo, WA
TASTING NOTES
This Merlot shows beautiful notes of blackberry, black cherry, with hints of baking spice and earthy
undertones. The oak barrel aging softens tannins and enhances the age-ability.
STYLISTIC NOTES
This single vineyard Merlot was sourced from the Sustainably certified Double D vineyard in the Rocky Reach AVA in Orondo WA. These soils were formed from wind-deposited sand and silt overlying cobblestone gravel, benefiting the vineyard by retaining heat and providing good drainage. The grapes were fermented in two large wood foudres. Varied cap management techniques like remontage, pipeage, and pulsair techniques enhanced fruit and tannin extraction; the wine was then aged 18 months in 80% French and 20% American oak. No new oak was used allowing the vineyard’s character to shine through.
FOOD PAIRINGS
Try with Santa Maria Style grilled tri-tip, mushroom risotto, or an aged gouda.
$33.97 available online or at the winery
2024 Interlude Cabernet Sauvignon
TASTING NOTES
A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with a commanding presence, showcasing concentrated black cherry and cassis, nuanced with hints of dark chocolate, and a refined, lasting finish.
STYLISTIC NOTES
This single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Sustainably certified Double D vineyard in the Rocky Reach AVA in Orondo WA. These soils were formed from wind-deposited sand and silt overlying cobblestone gravel, benefiting the vineyard by retaining heat and providing good drainage. The grapes were fermented in both stainless steel and large wood foudres. Varied cap management techniques enhanced fruit and tannin extraction; the wine was then aged 18 months in 75% French and 25% American oak. No new oak was used allowing the vineyard’s character to shine through.
FOOD PAIRINGS
Try with a marinated ribeye steak, or a charred gruyere burger.
$35.97 available online or at the winery
2024 Interlude Syrah
WINEMAKER NOTES
Grapes: 100% Syrah
Vineyard: Four Palms Vineyard, Sonoma, CA | Double D Vineyard, Orondo, WA
TASTING NOTES
Our Interlude Syrah balances bright, earthy aromatics and juicy red fruit from Sonoma with
concentrated, ripe dark fruit and structured tannins from Washington. Hints of blueberry, blackberry, peppercorn and a earthy undertone.
STYLISTIC NOTES
This Syrah was sourced from two distinct terroirs; 50% was from Four Palms Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma CA. Where the soil is sandy loam with shale and volcanic ash. The other 50% was from the Double D Vineyard in the Rocky Reach AVA in Orondo WA. These soils were formed from wind-deposited sand and silt overlying cobblestone gravel. Both sites are rocky benefiting the vineyards by retaining heat and providing good drainage. The grapes were fermented separately in stainless steel with a small portion fermented in wood foudres. Varied cap management techniques enhanced fruit and tannin extraction.
The wine was aged 18 months in 77% French and 23% American oak; no new oak was used. The blend of soils and climates gives it both elegance and power.
FOOD PAIRINGS
Try with 5-spice baby back ribs, or a Mushroom Farrotto.
$44.97 available online or at the winery
VINTAGE REPORT
In past years, particularly 2021 and 2023, I noted those vintages were among the most challenging we’d faced. It turns out I spoke too soon. We entered the 2024 season with optimism following a mild fall and winter. Unfortunately, that hope was quickly dashed by a devastating cold snap in mid-January. Temperatures plummeted from 0°C on January 10 to -14°C the next day, then to -23°C on January 12, ultimately bottoming out at -27°C on January 13. The result was catastrophic vine death and severe crop loss. Early bud tests revealed no signs of life, and we braced for the worst — preparing to replant nearly everything. As spring arrived cool and wet, bud break was delayed and uneven. To our relief, many vines produced cane growth and leaves. In Naramata, most vines survived, but Oliver suffered extensive damage, forcing us to remove entire blocks of Merlot and cabernet Sauvignon. These will be replanted in 2025. Throughout the season, even with little to no fruit, we maintained our spray programs and nutrient applications to preserve vine health and give ourselves the best possible foundation for 2025. By harvest’s end, the vineyards looked healthy, offering cautious optimism for the future. Given the crop loss in the South Okanagan, we sourced premium fruit from trusted growers in Washington State and California to meet production needs. This ensured our business’s sustainability, kept our valued team employed, and allowed us to continue investing in our BC vineyards — all while providing our cherished customers with the quality wines they expect from Township 7.
A note from the winery:
The past several vintages have tested British Columbia’s wine industry in unprecedented
ways. Through each challenge, Township 7 has remained guided by one principle: quality
must come first.
Most recently, extensive wildfires in and around the Okanagan Valley have presented another
difficult challenge. Testing conducted in vineyards from Osoyoos to Naramata identified
elevated levels of volatile phenols associated with smoke exposure. Because these compounds can develop into smoke taint as wines age which is particularly important for many of the wines we produce, we have made the difficult decision not to harvest fruit from the Okanagan Valley in 2026.
We are, however, pleased to share that we recently harvested 6.8 metric tonnes of beautiful Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from our Langley estate.
Against this backdrop, we are proud to introduce four red wines from our 2024 Interlude Series.
Following the devastating January 2024 freeze, which left many Okanagan vineyards with little or no fruit, we sourced premium grapes from trusted growers in the United States. Purchased in 2024,
before the current trade environment, the fruit was brought to our Naramata winery, where
our winemaking team crafted, aged and bottled four wines: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a Red Blend.
Sourcing this fruit allowed us to keep our winery operating, our employees working, and our local suppliers and service partners supported during an exceptionally challenging vintage. Although the grapes were grown in the United States, every wine was made here in British Columbia and reflects the resilience, skill and commitment of our team.
Both the 2024 freeze and the 2026 wildfires have required us to make difficult but necessary
decisions. Throughout, our guiding principle has remained unchanged: we will not compromise the quality that our customers and partners expect of us.