2013 was a roller-coaster year for Eau Vivre Winery in Cawston. A second Lieutenant Governor’s award for the 2010 Pinot Noir, and a successful new blend with the Cinq Blanc were some of the ups that combined with the downs of localized hail and other vineyard adversities that resulted in a 30% crop loss. However, Winemaker Anthony Buchanan is calm about the whole situation and excited about a brand new white that will be added to the portfolio.
Anthony’s excitement is clear when drawing a tank sample of Eau Vivre’s first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc, soon to be bottled and released later this spring. The beautifully clear wine displayed crisp apples, delicate floral aromas, and a steely minerality sure to please lovers of this variety.
The second vintage of Cinq Blanc will also be released in the spring. Thanks to a doubling in production, more people will get to experience this fabulous white blend in 2014. Barrel samples of the Viognier destined to make up 40% of the blend reveal a mesmerizing array of peach, floral, and toasty notes that will firmly anchor the new wine when it is released.
The legacy of premium Pinot Noir continues this year with the debut of the Reserve Pinot Noir 2012. It will also be the first wine to be released with a new look that will feature a label on the bottle. Only 70 cases of this special selection of Pinot Noir will be available for purchase from the wine shop only. Although proud of their recent achievements with Pinot Noir, the most recent awards are from Vancouver Magazine’s 2014 International Wine Awards for the Chardonnay 2011 in the “Rich White” category and Cabernet Franc 2011 in the “Rich Red” category.
Follow their new wine releases on their website www.eauvivrewinery.ca.
~ Luke Whittall