At Clos du Soleil, passion, patience and perfectionism blend seamlessly to yield a truly delightful portfolio of Bordeaux-style wines.
Founding partner Spencer Massie says the goal of the five-year-old winery is to embrace the great traditions of Bordeaux while expressing the very best qualities of the Similkameen terroir. Managing Director Michael Clark adds, “our wines are elegantly structured with good acidity. This makes them food-friendly and gives them great aging potential.”
Production at Clos du Soleil has ramped up slowly, in step with the lessons learned each season from the bio-dynamically farmed vineyard. The result is one stellar release after another.
Their well-structured $25.00 Célestiale, for example, is a gloriously plummy mix of the five customary Bordeaux red grapes that delights the nose, strokes the palate and lingers on the senses. Everyone should have a case in their cellar.
Bordeaux’s white traditions can be sampled in the beautifully balanced Graves-like Capella, and the deep, honeycomb perfection of their Saturn, a late-harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Regrettably, the Saturn is sold out.
Clos du Soleil also bottles a Grower’s Series to honour exceptional local grape growing. This summer’s releases are a Chegwin & Baessler Pinot Blanc and a Makepeace Merlot.
If you aren’t able to visit the charming tasting room in the vineyard just outside Keremeos, then consider joining Soleil 160, Clos du Soleil’s wine club. It may be your best bet for assured access to these exquisite, limited release wines.
(in photo l-r: Michael Clark, Jean-Felix Boulais and Spencer Massie)
~ Barry Potyondi