GET READY TO CELEBRATE B.C. PINOT NOIR
Winery-run event back with 34 producers showing off their explorations of grape
After a year’s hiatus, B.C. Pinot Noir Celebration is back on Aug. 19, featuring almost three dozen producers from across the province.
A total of 47 wineries took part in the pre-selection blind tasting held in Vancouver, and 34 were chosen to participate.
The event, the fourth to be held, includes a walkabout garden tasting, and rotating informational seminars will be held at the spectacular Linden Gardens in Kaleden, overlooking Skaha Lake.
New Zealander David Paterson, winemaker and general manger of Tantalus Vineyards, and Meyer Family Vineyards co-proprietor Jak Meyer, are the founders of what is a rare, winery-run event.
On the topic of the rise of B.C. Pinot Noir, Paterson said that what he is most happy about is the slow, organic (no pun intended) growth of the grape, that has gone from forgettable to a level that happily competes with much of the New World and is taking aim at Burgundy.
“Although at this point, I think most B.C. producers are still in the exploration mode, it is clear what can be done here is plenty more than most of the rest of the wine world thinks.
“There are probably 20 producers using more of a Burgundian approach both in the vineyard and in the winery, another 10 or 15 that are going for a little riper, more Oregon-style, and then there are quite a few Kiwis (New Zealanders) in the valley making wine, and we all have a little bit of that influence in us as well,” Paterson said.
“When I first got here nine years ago there didn’t seem to
be a lot of identity, but what I’m really enjoying now is more and more winemakers — and more importantly grape growers — that are really embracing what they have, and are not worrying about what they don’t have.
“We don’t need to emulate Oregon or Burgundy — we can be B.C. That’s the main message: we can stand up on our own two feet and be counted as our own region.”
Along with an increase in wineries, the celebration is upping its quota of chefs who will work with the so-called heartbreak grape to create a memorable evening.
Okanagan stalwarts and returning chefs Cameron Smith and Dana Ewart (Joy Road Catering) will work alongside Matt Batey (The Nash), Alex Sielmann (Frog City Café) and sommelier Mike Bernardo (Vij’s) to present an evening that is designed to be more of a cocktail and dinner party than a true sit-down affair — but there will be plenty to eat.
Tickets are $175, and include a sparkling wine reception, the Pinot Noir tasting in the gardens, a seat at one of the educational sessions, and live music with local band Jack and Jill. This year’s keynote speaker is English Master of Wine Richard Hemming, a wine writer, educator and contributor to jancisrobinson. com, who is making his first visit to the Okanagan Valley.
Please do not drink and drive — there will be complimentary event shuttle service from select locations across the valley, but it must be booked at the time of ticket purchase.
For tickets and more information go to bcpinotnoir.ca, or follow the fun on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
I can’t think of better way to get to know B.C. Pinot Noir, or spend a warm summer evening in the Okanagan.