Wine in British Columbia

Riesling: with its mouthwatering acidity, a hint of sweetness, and moderate alcohol levels, can be the ultimate example of balance in wine. It is therefore extremely flexible when it comes to pairing with a wide range of foods. The balance between sugar and acid also allows Riesling to support delicious aromas and flavours of citrus and tropical fruit, flowers, and spice. The greatest mouth-watering examples I know originate in Germany, and it was Germans who brought the first Riesling to the Okanagan Valley. We make this wine in a Spätlese style; off-dry enough to keep it mouth-wateringly juicy. It is our goal each vintage to increase the flavour intensity in this case using 40 year-old vines and six months of lees contact in order to create a wine of great complexity that will be long-lived.

Harvested on October10, 2018 with a brix level of 24.4, the grapes were locally grown and harvested 100% from Jack Lewko’s Vineyard located at the end of Therapy Vineyards driveway. The fruit was hand sorted to remove any unwanted clusters and debris before being whole cluster pressed. After the gentle pressing cycle the must was sent to stainless steel tanks for primary fermentation. Utilizing a single yeast strain this batch of wine has a very distinct profile coming from the terroir of Jack Lewko’s property creating an impressive wine. The must were cold fermented between 16-18 degrees, to help bring forward and develop a fruit driven profile. After alcoholic fermentation was complete the wines were chilled to -2 for cold stabilization, and treated with a bentonite fining to provide heat stability. The wine was then left in stainless steel vessels to age and mature, which allowed the wine time to harmonize and settle before bottling on April 13, 2018.

Nose: rich cherry and field berry notes, with a hint of spice Palate: lush and smooth with soft tannis – lovely balance Pairings: red or white meats, rich sauces, pizza, or just savour on its own

Straw yellow colour and beautiful clarity. The nose is very youthful and jumps out with banana and papaya. Honey and lemon mingle with pear and honeydew melon. The palate is focused and precise, with more refreshing citrus-driven acidity than in 2016. Tropical fruit in the mid-palate and crisp lingering finish. This wine screams for shellfish.

Cabernet flavours are most evident on the nose, with red bell pepper, currants, cedar and mint, but the palate is where all of the other grapes from the blend come together seamlessly, each bringing a crucial component to the final wine. Plenty of dark, dusty cocoa and espresso flavours contribute to a good earthy backbone, while blackberries, black Kalamata olives, prunes and currants provide healthy fruit character. An Okanagan dusty sage element adds another layer of complexity, which becomes a slight minty element on the long, beautiful, chocolaty finish. Drink now with a premium cut of steak.

At Gray Monk, we believe in delivering real value to our discerning customers. Value, to the Gray Monk family, means consistently providing quality, flavourful wines presented in a manner that is welcoming, educational, memorable and competitively priced.

Tastes distinctly of B.C. yet comparable to top-tier Bordeaux (but a fraction of the price). This country is lucky to have a flagship wine like this. Classic aromas of blackberry, cassis and blackcurrant with a judicious use of oak. This wine spent 18 months in 95% new French oak. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: charbroiled meats with a peppercorn sauce or a heavier tomato-based stew like ratatouille.

Concentrated smoky aromas of chocolate, anise, and blackberry continue on the palate. The texture of this wine is very dense and concentrated, with slightly edgy tannins. The tannins soften through a long minerally finish.

Ross O. is a strange cat, there’s no questioning that. Not one for presumptive labels, Ross O. is Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir from West Kelowna, from a 30 year old vineyard. Pinot Noir from a funky old clone; Spatburgunder (clone 93, if you‘re keeping count). Ross O. is multifaceted though, in the sense there’s also a pinch of Gamay in there too. Ross O. is savoury and seductive, vibrant and vivacious.

Fresh, Crisp and Vivacious! Intensely fragrant with vibrant floral notes, sweet aromas of candied fruit and a trace of exotic spice. Light bodied and zesty featuring ripe lychee, peach and juicy citrus flavours. Ideal as an apéritif or alongside light and spicy dishes such as sushi, ceviché or pad thai.

Our Pinot Grigio has an enticing bouquet of Anjou pear, guava, and kiwi. The mouthfeel is lush and crisp with white peach, apricot, and orange blossom honey flavours intermingling with candied ginger and spice for a tangy finish.

The medium-bodied Merlot is fruit forward with aromas of red berries, vanilla and spice. This well-structured wine has a soft entry with a concentrated mid-palate and tight, finely grained tannins that lead to a lengthy finish.

This wine has developed a fair reputation for being a big brute, and for serious this might be our best yet. A truly debauched blend of 47% Merlot, 39% Petit Verdot and 14% Malbec. Now you do the math. Is that your final answer? Well, let’s hope you came up with ‘What is a ripe, super textured and powerful wine with oodles of loganberry compote, cinnamon and lavender dusted leather. This my favourite BC red wine.’ Somewhere, Pat SaJak is smiling away.

Beautiful full-bodied palate with lifted notes of orchard fruit especially of white peach and nectarines, sprinkled with fresh lemon balm. A refreshing backbone of acidity seamlessly surrenders to a creamy, tenacious finish with a perfect touch of beeswax.

Our winemaker doesn’t follow the rules and that’s what we love about him. He lets his creativity guide him no matter what the consequence. It’s that same rebellious spirit that inspires his unique wine blends for Diabolica. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, tasting, re-tasting, and vóila, a devilishly delicious wine. The perfect patio sipper – an off dry Rosé! This wine draws you in from the first sip. Gushing with big, luscious, fruit flavors of wild strawberry and watermelon to start. Midway, it unravels with pomegranate, jasmine, and a hint of deep dark cherry creates a smooth, approachable and perhaps a slightly sinful finish. Temped yet?

Discover Desert Hills Gamay Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

There are aromas of dark cherries, dark plums, hints of stewed strawberries, and an undertone of smoky oak. The palate has flavours of spiced cherries, warm strawberries, and some vanilla notes. The tannins are medium with a long finish with the flavours persisting long after the last sip.

This fruit-driven wine has vibrant notes of apricot and honey, hints of almond, and a subtle tangy acidity. A touch of sweetness highlights flavours, however unique tannins lead to a dry impression. Ideal as an aperitif, or paired with lightly-spiced dishes. This wine matches well with spiced foods, chicken, turkey, pasta and salads. Great as an aperitif as well.

On the nose, this wine has expressive aromas of pear, pineapple, lychee, green apple and lime that will get your mouth watering before you even take a sip. Once you do, you'll find a slightly off-dry Riesling with notes of sweet citrus fruit and a lingering finish with medium acidity.

Aromas of ripe red fruit and florals jump out of the glass with raspberries, cherries, blackberries, and rose water. Rounded and rich on the palate with ripe, silky tannins with further flavours of cracked pepper, vanilla and toasted coconut. Lingering pepper and baking spices on the finish.