Fitzpatrick welcomes visitors
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, located at Greata Ranch on Highway 97 between Peachland and Summerland, has opened its doors to the public. After 18 months of construction, the gravity flow facility specializing in sparkling and site-specific still wines is ready for visitors.
The surroundings are spectacular and peaceful, which owner Gordon Fitzpatrick says is all part of their goal “to define the culture of sparkling wine in the Okanagan Valley through site-revealing wines and providing remarkable hospitality experiences.”
Walla Walla has a new coastal connection: the Walla Walla Wine Train by InquisiTours has made the trip as easy as booking a tour and hopping on a train.
The inclusive, multi-night, escorted tour showcases central and eastern Washington landscapes via two distinctive and complementary towns, Leavenworth and Walla Walla.
In addition to tasting some of the region’s most popular and highly rated wine varietals, guests will come to know the history of the area and soak in the vistas and charming towns with their own tour director.
InquisiTours offers two or four-night tours, departing from Seattle and Portland with rates starting at $599. Details at inquisitours.com.
B.C. WINE OF THE WEEK Pétales d’Osoyoos 2013, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley $24.99 | 89/100 UPC: 871610004005
This is the best Pétales yet, appearing to be less of a second label and more of a stand-alone wine from Osoyoos Larose. The 2013 vintage helps to give this a serious tone, full of savoury, spiced black fruit aromas. The palate mixes bitter black cherry and espresso notes with bits of tobacco, grilled meats, cherries, and smoke. Not quite as firm and dry as the Osoyoos Larose, suggesting it’s time to start drinking this. Perfect for grilled steak. The blend is Merlot dominated, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
WINE FOR THE CELLAR LaStella Fortissimo 2015, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley $29.99 | 89/100 UPC: 857077004222
The 2015 Fortissimo is a 63/17/11/9 mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc, and it’s impressive from the get-go. Large format puncheons and Hungarian/Slavonian oak have set the fruit free, and the high level of Merlot has kept the tannins manageable. The attack is juicy, with bright black cherry fruit over a savoury underbelly, tobacco notes and even a touch of Italian earthiness. Veal osso buco or roast lamb are classic matches. Love the new-found finesse here; it’s on the right road now. You can drink this now, but it will be better in three to five years.