East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is my first look at this PG from newcomer Chain Reaction named after their owners Joel and Linda Chamaschuk’s passion: cycling. Dwight Sick is consulting for several Naramata bench wineries, and you can feel (or not feel) his light touch here. The wine spends four months on its lees, adding some mid-palate texture to a mostly dry version of PG, mixing peach, pear and sagebrush with a bitter note that balances the finish. Ready to drink solo, but there is enough structure to bring this bottle to the table.Tasted: 22 February 2022Tasted by: Prices:
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaChain Reaction is a relatively new virtual winery based on the Naramata Bench, owned by Joel and Linda Chamaschuk and named for their love of cycling. Originally from the Lower Mainland, they've enjoyed BC wine since 1991 and finally decided to become part of the industry, purchasing an orchard on the Bench and planting their first vineyard in 2019. Well-known winemaker Dwight Sick oversees the wines made at nearby Moraine Winery. From East Kelowna, this pinot gris utilized whole cluster grapes and a cool ferment, with four months' aging on lees in stainless. An expansive palate is creamy with ripe peach, honeysuckle, juicy pear, seasoned with some desert sage on a compact palate, finishing with a warming, bitter lime leaf note. This simple gris has some sun weight, ready to match weightier dishes.Tasted: 17 March 2022Tasted by: Prices:
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaChain Reaction is a new label on the Naramata Bench, just down Naramata Road from Little Engine, Red Rooster, and Ruby Blues. Joel and Linda Chamaschuk have combined their passion for cycling and wine with this new venture. The team is rounded out by consulting winemaker Dwight Sick, no stranger to the Naramata Bench. The property, originally an orchard, was purchased in 2017 and planted to vines in 2019. The fruit for their first pinot gris comes from further north in East Kelowna. It's quite expressive and honeyed, combining golden delicious apple and nectarine with layers of spice. There's no shortage of pinot gris throughout the Okanagan, but this is a welcome addition, especially for those seeking a dry, ripe, rich style. Pair this with fish curry to balance the bitterness on the finish.Tasted: 20 March 2022Tasted by: Prices: