If you remember the cozy little wine shop at Wild Goose Winery tucked between the rows of vines, it's time you stopped in again to see their new digs. The Kruger family has been hard at work – not just with growing grapes and making wine, but also trying to decide all of the design details of their new tasting room and event facility. Roland Kruger said picking the colours for the walls was one of the toughest family decisions they have made in a while!
After 15 years of hosting guests in their snug tasting room, Wild Goose wanted to be able to welcome more people to share in their wines and their hospitality. The new facility offers more room for tasting with the friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a panoramic deck that overlooks the Stoney Slope Riesling Vineyard and Peach Cliff Mountain. You can also now pre-book a private guided tour of the winery, and groups can book the facility year round for private functions. The Kruger family is excited to share their wines in new ways with visitors to Wild Goose; visit their website for events and new happenings, and sign up for their online newsletter to get all the news.
New wines are a fall feature as well, and the fall release of 2010 reds will be a highlight, and as always, the release of the 2011 Stoney Slope Riesling! Hagen Kruger and the cellar team at Wild Goose have carried on the tradition of Hagen's father, Adolf, in producing wines of a crisp, clean and consistent style. Allowing the wines to showcase their true character each year is not as simple as you might think; it requires talent and skill. The Wild Goose reputation has proven itself numerous times with awards and accolades over the years, with the most recent being named Small Winery of the Year 2012, at the Riverside International Wine Competition in California. Also at Riverside, Wild Goose won big with its perennial signature blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Blanc, Autumn Gold 2011, winning – Best Blend and Best of Class. Don't dawdle in buying a bottle; it sells out every year.
2011 Autumn Gold $18.99
This wine shows intense fruit with a weighty mouth feel – orange, spice and other citrus flavours abound. It finishes clean and crisp, with just a hint of honey sweetness. Excellent match for spicy ethnic dishes.
Photo: The new tasting room and event facility welcomes visitors at Wild Goose Vineyards, in Okanagan Falls.
~ Kristin Peturson-Laprise