What’s Oraniensteiner?

Back in 1985, the Geisenheim Research Institute in Germany crossed Riesling and Silvaner to birth Oraniensteiner.

Vines of this unique varietal found their way into the Summerland vineyards of Lunessence Winery where the grapes are now used in two tantalizing, aromatic blends.

Pinot Blanc-Oraniensteiner ($21) is a 60-40 blend that has shown up back-to-back on the annual list of the top 20 wines at Whistler’s Cornucopia food and drink festival.

The 2017 vintage delivers pear aromas and flavours commonly associated with Pinot Blanc, but then opens up with exotic nectarine, grapefruit and spice thanks to the Oraniensteiner.

The 2017 Quartet ($20) is primarily Gewurztraminer and Riesling with just a splash of Pinot Blanc and Oraniensteiner.

The blend works like a perfectly in-tune quartet delivering a profile of enchanting tropical fruit, citrus, apple and spice.

There may be only two varietals listed in the official name of the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc-Muscat ($22), but Viognier, Chardonnay and Semillon also make an appearance.

It’s a blend that represents exactly how the varieties are grown in a Naramata vineyard Lunessence buys grapes from that results in a creamy, off-dry explosion of pineapple, peach, apple and spice.

Meantime, Syrah and Merlot are the only two varietals in the 2017 Duet ($20), a bright, but earthy expression of blueberry, plum and pepper.

Lunessence gets its name from the Latin luna for moon.

As such, the grape are grown and the wines are made with a holistic, biodynamic approach in sync with lunar cycles.