“This series features both the BC Wine new vintages and a few favourites”
For the longest time the Similikameen Valley was the best kept secret, but no more. As savvy BC wine lovers discover the exceptional wines of quality that are being produced in this region of BC wine country the lid is off the pot! Possibly some of the most challenging farming with the most exquisite of terroir produces wines that are, like the land they grow in, worth the effort that goes into the end results.
One of those wineries producing wines of extraordinary quality at an excellent price point is Vanessa Vineyard. – “Carved from stone, fuelled by sun, a vineyard like no other…”
Explore the wines of Vanessa
2018 Meritage
Flavour Profile
Our Meritage is a Cabernet-dominant blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The nose balances red plum, cassis, cedar, and dried herbs. The palate is elegant and full bodied with notes of ripe raspberry, blueberry, savoury herbs, and a hint of smoke with a long rich finish.
Growing Conditions
A long, moderate growing season started on schedule, yet with warmer than average spring temperatures. Cooler summer temperatures led into particularly warm autumn days with cool evenings. The results: an early bud break, increased crop sizes and slow ripening that allowed the fruit to fully mature with exciting flavour development for the reds in this vintage. Harvest began right on time, with our harvest for reds finishing in early November. Total heat units for 2018 at Vanessa were recorded at 1730.5 Growing Degree Days, similar to the previous year. The prolonged and mild 2018 growing season gives this vintage unique character and exceptional quality.
Winemaking
Crafted from only 100% estate grown and hand-picked fruit. The grapes were destemmed and underwent a gentle crush before small-batch fermentation and hand punch down to maximize flavour and extraction. This vintage is almost entirely comprised of free run juice with only a very small quantity of pressed juice added to balance the tannins. Each varietal was individually fermented, and barrel aged for 8 months. The small lots were then carefully blended, and the final assemblage was aged 12 additional months in American and French oak of which 40% were new barrels. Beautiful integration of the soil minerality gives the wine exceptional character and quality. Only 31 barrels produced.
2018 Right Bank
Flavour Profile
Our Right Bank is a Merlot-dominant wine with small percentages of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in for complexity. The nose shows ripe cherry, mixed red berries, clove, and dried rosemary. The full rich pallet is filled with black cherry, plum, blueberry, and spice on the long, powerful finish. The blend shows the fine balance, intensity and elegance of the Similkameen.
Growing Conditions
A long, moderate growing season started on schedule, yet with warmer than average spring temperatures. Cooler summer temperatures led into particularly warm autumn days with cool evenings. The results: an early bud break, increased crop sizes and slow ripening that allowed the fruit to fully mature with exciting flavour development for the reds in this vintage. Harvest began right on time, with our harvest for reds finishing in early November. Total heat units for 2018 at Vanessa were recorded at 1730.5 Growing Degree Days, similar to the previous year. The prolonged and mild 2018 growing season gives this vintage unique character and exceptional quality.
Winemaking
Crafted from only 100% estate grown and hand-picked fruit. The grapes were destemmed and underwent a gentle crush before small-batch fermentation and hand punch down to maximize flavour and extraction. This cuvée is almost entirely comprised of free run juice with only a small quantity of pressed juice added to balance the tannins. The individual varietals were barrel aged for 8 months prior to blending, then aged an additional 12 months in American and French oak barrels that were medium-plus toast. Beautiful integration of the soil minerality gives the wine exceptional character and quality. Only 24 barrels produced.
2018 Syrah
Flavour Profile
Our Syrah shows the power, texture, complexity, and elegance of the Similkameen. It was co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier in the classic Rhône style. The nose balances ripe damson plum, blackberry, and vanilla. The palate is complex with flavours of blackberry, plum, fig, fresh herbs, and black peppercorn. A full body with a lovely rich texture and a balanced crisp acidity leads to a very silky long finish.
Growing Conditions
A long, moderate growing season started on schedule, yet with warmer than average spring temperatures. Cooler summer temperatures led into particularly warm autumn days with cool evenings. The results: an early bud break, increased crop sizes and slow ripening that allowed the fruit to fully mature with exciting flavour development for the reds in this vintage. Harvest began right on time, with our harvest for reds finishing in early November. Total heat units for 2018 at Vanessa were recorded at 1730.5 Growing Degree Days, similar to the previous year. The prolonged and mild 2018 growing season gives this vintage unique character and exceptional quality.
Winemaking
Crafted from only 100% estate grown and hand-picked fruit. The grapes were destemmed and underwent a gentle crush before small-batch fermentation and hand punch down to maximize flavour and extraction. A small percentage of Viognier was co-fermented with the Syrah in the traditional Northern Rhône style. This vintage is almost entirely composed of free run juice with only a very small quantity of pressed juice added to balance the tannins. Our Syrah was then aged for 20 months in a combination of new and used oak barrels, 60% being American oak and 40% being French oak. Only 27 barrels produced.
Our vineyard is situated high on a hillside overlooking the Similkameen Valley with grapes cultivated on 75 acres of sloping, and extremely rocky terrain. We focus on producing small quantities of premium red wines using only estate-grown fruit.
Our vision is simple. We want to become one of the premier red sites in Canada, producing the best red wines from the renowned Similkameen Valley. We hope that by using only the highest quality of 100% estate-grown fruit that we properly represent and strengthen its reputation.
At the very heart of Vanessa Vineyard is our passion for how great wine, from grape to glass, can bring people together. Our pride does not only stem from growing unique grapes in the Similkameen Valley but from supporting the local community and charities in BC.
Information, bottle shots, wine notes and image courtesy of the winery.
