A consistent Rock star
Family-owned B.C. winery continues to impress at InterVin gatherings
Since entering InterVin for the first time in 2013, Painted Rock has been in the hunt for the competition’s top awards. The ambitious family-owned estate winery overlooking Skaha Lake won the competition’s Winery of the Year honours in 2014 and repeated that feat over wineries from 17 countries again this year.
Painted Rock has enjoyed great successes over its six years at InterVin, but it’s interesting to note how different wines from the portfolio have received the most attention from judges each year.
In previous years, the complex and complete Bordeaux-style blend, Red Icon, and the rich and refined Cabernet Sauvignon truly captured our judges’ imaginations. Other years have generated strong support for Painted Rock’s Merlot and Malbec.
This year it was an absolutely super Syrah — always a variety to watch from this family estate — and two stunning expressions of Cabernet Franc, a variety that’s quickly establishing its niche as a stand-alone variety in the Painted Rock portfolio.
Both the 2014 and 2015 Cabernet Francs earned InterVin gold medals, garnering rave reviews, while the 2014 Syrah ranked as one of the best-scoring wines in the wine competition that saw 18 experts taste through more than 1,200 entries at White Oaks Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-theLake.
Painted Rock’s 2015 Red Icon, 2015 Malbec and 2014 Merlot earned silver medals in the competition, a reflection of their overall quality and winemaking prowess.
“It’s been a voyage of discovery,” says John Skinner, who bought an old apricot orchard in 2004 and started realizing his dream to make wine in the Okanagan that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.
“As the vineyard has matured, certain blocks have risen to prominence,” Skinner adds. “We have only been producing a Cabernet Franc since 2013 because it used to be quite linear, it didn’t have the mid-palate to produce as a single variety, but was a great role player in our Red Icon blend. Then in 2013, it just opened like a flower. The flavour profile increased.”
Skinner credits a passionate team, including Bordeaux-based consultant Alain Sutre and assistant winemaker Gabriel Ries, for delivering the potential of the vineyard. “We couldn’t be more proud of our team,” he says. “We have a team that’s exceptionally engaged in what we’re doing and that’s invaluable.”
Skinner, who tirelessly promotes his wines abroad, explains that consistent success at the InterVin helps create more international interest for Painted Rock’s wines and Canadian wines in general.