Arriving at Hidden Chapel Winery in North Oliver, I am immediately charmed by the quaint setting and warm greeting from winery dog Max and co-owner Deborah Wilde. The boutique winery, owned by Deborah and her husband Lanny Kinrade, opened in 2010 and they could not be happier with their leap of faith into the wine industry.
Lanny and Deborah are certainly no strangers to farming. Prior to purchasing the Hidden Chapel property in 2005, they owned and operated an organic vegetable farm for 10 years. After they took ownership of the property, they quickly got to work planting their estate vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon) and planning the site renovations. Construction began in 2007 with an underground wine cellar, for which the idea (as many great ideas do) came about after a few glasses of wine. Over the next few years, an old garage was beautifully transformed into the winery building and tasting room, utilizing old stained glass panels and reclaimed wood to maintain the rustic charm evoked by the nearby chapel that was built by the previous property owners.
This summer, the winery will be available for small wedding ceremonies of up to 25 people and as a spectacular venue for wedding photos. In keeping with the chapel theme, Deborah and Lanny have created a line of whimsically-named wines including Blushing Bride (Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier Rosé), White Wedding (Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Riesling), The Collection (Meritage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot), and Soul Sister (Syrah and Petit Verdot) to name a few.
Trilogy 2009 $24.90
A delightful Meritage blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc), this wine has soft tannins and lovely notes of blackberry, cherry with a touch of caramel.
St. Vincent 2011 $17.90
A unique blend of Riesling & Viognier, this refreshing wine has an attractive nose with notes of green apple and floral undertones while the palate exhibits succulent flavours of pear, apple and tropical fruits.
~ Lindsay Kelm