British Columbia 2011 - Okanagan

In the Okanagan, most wineries are in the final stages of their harvest and expect that the last of the fruit, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, will be in by mid-November. From all accounts, the quality of the whites will be exceptional and the reds very good. CedarCreek Estate Winery in Kelowna is waiting to bring in Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from their South Okanagan vineyards. Winemaker Darryl Brooker commented that "the quality of the whites as well as the Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are better than last year." Not only will the quality of the wines be exceptional once again, but many vineyards are up in tonnage as well, including CedarCreek.

In Oliver, Derek Kontkanen, Winemaker for Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate notes that they are 95% through their harvest with a bit of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon still to come in. "The great fall weather of September and October saved the vintage for us. The fruit quality is good this year with good flavours and lower sugars. I think we will see some great wines from the 2011 vintage." The overall tonnage at Jackson-Triggs is up as well from 2010 and Kontkanen says that some of the Jackson-Triggs standouts will be Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

The cooler weather certainly had an effect on all of BC's wine regions. Township 7 Vineyards & Winery has vineyards in both the Okanagan and in Langley. Winemaker Brad Cooper notes that they began their Okanagan harvest on October 8 and are set to finish around November 7 with the last of the Merlot. In Langley, their harvest began on October 15 and was completed by October 23. Vista D'oro Winery in Langley just completed their harvest of typically early-ripening Maréchal Foch on October 26.

In the Similkameen Valley, most wineries did not begin their harvest until after Thanksgiving. Herder Winery & Vineyards started bringing fruit in on October 14 with Pinot Gris from their Bellamy vineyards in Keremeos and expect to be finished by November 6 with the last of their Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Proprietor Lawrence Herder remarks that they have very good flavour profiles and are achieving phenolic ripeness throughout.

On Salt Spring Island, Garry Oaks Winery started their harvest mid-October and finished the last of their Zweigelt November 1. Similar to the Okanagan, 2011 was a difficult year, noted Vineyard Manager Marcel Mercier. Even with the cooler season, Mercier is very pleased with the quality of the fruit, "we have really good phenolic ripeness, good brix and good acids. The quality is on par with last year. The Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Zweigelt came through very well."

Despite the challenges that Mother Nature presented this year, the overall quality is fantastic; which speaks to the excellence of our dedicated grapegrowers and vintners. Some of the standout varietals look to be Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah.

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