For Stag’s Hollow in Okanagan Falls, the future is where it’s at. They are looking ahead in more ways than one, and the excitement about what will be happening soon is evident throughout the winery and the wine shop.
They have purchased and planted a new vineyard site, Shuttleworth Vineyard, which will see a few new additions to the portfolio. “It’s looking really good,” says winemaker Dwight Sick. “There’s Pinot, Gamay, Dolcetto and Tempranillo.” Experimenting with grapes like Dolcetto that are new to the Okanagan has paid off well for Stag’s Hollow. Their previous experiments with the Spanish variety Tempranillo has led them to plant Albarino to create an accompanying Spanish-style white. “It’s going to be the next Sauvignon Blanc”, says Sick.
Futures of the Renaissance Merlot 2011 and Pinot Noir 2011 which are released in early September, are available now online or in the wine shop. “Futures” allow you to purchase by the case at a discount prior to release. They are available until August 31or until they sell out. If you can’t wait until September, the current 2010 vintages of both wines are still available and drinking beautifully.
New releases this summer include the 2012 Viognier and 2012 Viognier-Marsanne, which was “barrel fermented in neutral wood and stayed on full lees for 10 months,” explains Sick. Tank samples of these richly-textured wines reveal luscious tropical flavours with long finishes that are sure to develop beautifully once in the bottle.
~ Luke Whittall