I was recently lucky enough to spend some time with the proprietors of Kraze Legz winery; Sue and Gerry Thygesen. In their cozy tasting room, also known as their 1920s Speakeasy, boasting sweeping views of Skaha Lake, they let me sample some of their fun, fantastic wines. The 2012 Bee’s Knees Pinot Blanc is a bright, crisp revelation. I loved the creamy mouth feel and the citrus zest on the palate. The notes of Granny Smith made me realize why this wine was so popular at the Osoyoos Oyster Fest this past spring. It would be the ideal partner to a platter of oysters on the half shell. Their SHHH… Icewine is glorious! Made from Merlot grapes it exhibits tasty strawberry and cherry cordial notes. The sweetness is well balanced, making this wine feel silky in your mouth while still being restrained enough to leave a clean finish behind.
If you’re passing through during the Fall Wine Festival, make sure to stop by and try a Blind Vertical Tasting. Proprietors Gerry and Sue will be bootlegging from their library to showcase past vintages of The Speakeasy Rosé, Bee’s Knees Pinot Blanc and Black Bottom Stomp. The tastings will be paired with delicious local cheeses, so it’s worth making time for a visit.
While you’re there, be sure to pick up your copy of the 2014 BC Winery Cat’s Pajamas Calendar. This project was a labour of love for winery proprietor Sue Thygesen and it features 10 months of submitted portraits of winery felines and two months of kitty collages made from photos sent in by their owners. In spite of all of the pressures of entrepreneurial life, Sue managed to find the time to source all of the images and do the design and layout. A portion of the proceeds from The Cat’s Pajamas is earmarked to benefit Critter Aid.
~ Courtney Fossett