As the third full season of their wine shop draws to a close, Ted and Lorraine Kane at River Stone Estate Winery are keeping up the pace with some new releases. Slated for release are the 2012 Pinot Gris, which won a Double Gold in the All-Canadian Wine Awards, and the 2012 Splash, a blend of Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer that now also includes a Viognier component. “It’s a really nice off-dry, aromatic, fruit-forward blend,” says Ted Kane proudly. Blending is something that Ted enjoys doing. He recently completed the blend for the 2011 vintage of Cornerstone, the flagship red Meritage blend that has been developing a loyal following. The 2011 Cornerstone will be bottled in the fall and will be released when it is ready.
2013 looks to be a fantastic vintage at River Stone and Ted is excited about what is happening in the vineyard. “It’s going to be another spectacular year,” says Ted. This will make it two great vintages in a row for River Stone. “The wines for 2012 are developing really nicely.”
The main event for the fall is happening on October 6th when three River Stone wines will be featured by Chef Darin Paterson at Bogner’s Lamb Fest in Penticton. “It’s going to be really great, local fare with Darin’s great style paired with our wines,” explains Ted. Although the wine had not yet been chosen at this time, many of the wines in River Stone’s portfolio would make excellent matches at a meal featuring lamb.
Fans of River Stone can look forward to a wine club in the near future. “I’ve had lots of people asking me about it in the wine shop,” says Ted. “I’m working on ideas and incentives now.”
~ Luke Whittall