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Spring on the Naramata Bench

One of the hightlight of Spring is the Naramata Bench Spring release event. My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the media and trade eevnt at the Bayshore Hotel in downtown Vancouver. The location was perfect located on the shores off coal Bay , acroos from Stanley park. The day was perfect, providing the perfect view of the Magnificient snow capped coastal mountains.

The Narmata Bench is approximately 245 miles or 395 Km.. The bench is located in the central Okanagan Valley on the east side of the lake.
To reach the naramata bench you must go through the city of Penticton. There are coreently 30 wineries on the Bench. Author John Schreiner calles it The hottest address in Bc Wines

The event was sponsored by the Naramata Bench winery Association. Fiften wineries took part in this event.

~ Nichol Vineyrd and Estate Winery the owner and winemaker is Ross Hackworth The winery has a solid reputation for Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc
Syrah and Gewurztraminer.. My choice Cabernet Franc

~ Kettle Valley Winery owned by Tim Watts and Bob Ferguson. They started small but today they produce over 11.000cases and have 30 different
wines. A blend called Old Man Red is one great wine a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc witha dash of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Other wines that
caught our attension the Pinot Gris and Voigner. The Merlot is bold and rich and gets our recomendation as well

~ Therapy Vineyards Is owned by the Naramata Development Corpo The winemaker is Steve Latchford.. They make some very interesting (yes good) blends with even more interesting names such as Pink Freud and Freuds Ego..Their Shiraz is one of their better wines.

~ Van Westin Wines owned by the Van westin Family Rob is the winemaker currently producing 8 wines all the names start with the letter V .
They are all declious . His Voluptuous Bordeau blends is one of my favourite wines. He also produces one of the best Viognier

~ Elephant Island Orchards owned by Del and Miranda Halladay the wineamker is Christine Leroux . One of the best fruit wineries in BC. Year in year
out they make an extrdordinary Pear wine, Once again this years offering superb. The one to watch for is Stellaport a dessert wine.

~ Lake Breeze Vineyards The winery is owned by the husband and wife team of Gary Reynold and Tracy Ball and Drew and Barabara MacIntyre
The winemaker is Garron Elmes. Without a doubt the Ehrenfelser is must try wine beautifuly balnced with rich falvours. We also suggest the
Bench White a blend of unoaked Chardonnay, Viognier & Gewurztraminer

Black Widow Winery

~ Black Widow winery The owners are Shona and Dick Lancaster Their wines keep getting better every vinatge. I recommend the Oasis a blended
white wine has Schonburger as it's primary component, with Gewurztraminer in the background. The Pinot Gris is also a good choice. A must try
is the Dessert Schonburger.

~ Howling Bluff Estate Winery Owned by Luke Smith The winemaker is Chris Carson. Their best wine is Sin Cera throughout our vineyard. This Merlot
   backed blend comes from plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

~ Laughing Stock Vineyard. Owned by David and Cynthia Enns has quite a large following Dispite the fun loving name they make serious wines.
   Seriously good wines including Portfolio a rich complex blend An intersting wine is the Bland Trust this blend is revelved under the cap allowing you
   the oportunity to see if you can tell what grapes are used. Apparently I'm no so good at knowing the varities but the wine was good.

~ Hillside Estate Perhaps the most popular table at the tasting in fact everytime we approcahed we ended up taling with friendsand not making it near
the table The winery is owned by Bill Carpenter. Kathy Malone is the winemaker. Previous experience tells us the Muscat Ottonel is very good, the
only wine of its kind produced in the Okanagan Valley. We also recommed the Old Vines Gamay Noir 2008

~ Poplar Grove Winery Winemaker Ian Sutherland is the wineries founder who maintain a small winery untill obtaining Tony Holler as a partner in 2007.
Tony and his wife Barbara purchased 75% of the winery Today the winery has major plans. Legacy a bordau blend is their best wine.

~ D"angelo Estate Winery owned by Sal D'angelo a Onatrio Grape king open his second winery in the Naramata 2001. His flagship wine Sette Coppa is
a Bordeaux style blend using the five traditional 'noble' varietals of grape. It is one of our favourites

~ Red Rooster .. Only tied one wine had trouble getting peoples attension

~ LA Frenz Owned by Niva and Jeff Martin. Jeff was at one time know for this winemaking skills at Quails Gate today hes know for his winemaking
skills at hos own winey La Frenz Their Shiraz arre aways good. Grand Total Reserve Bordeau blend rates scores in the 90's. We love their fortified
wines too. The 2008 Vintage Style Port rates a gold. Although I have not tasted it in almost a year I can still remebr their NV Liqueur Muscat

~ Township Seven Owned By Mike Raffan. The winemaker is Bradley Cooper.. Township Sevenhas developed a reputation for good wines. They have a
second location in the Fraser Valley. They make an excellant Merlot and a nice unoaked Chardonnay

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