SpierHead Winery continues to strengthen its Pinot Noir program, having planted 7000 new vines of this medal winner. They will market two tiers of Pinot Noir: a single-vineyard under a Reserve label and their Okanagan blend. Only about 900 cases will be produced – so get yours early!
Access to limited availability wines is a good reason to join SpierHead’s expanding wine club – and this year members will help create their own “Wine Club Blend”. They can experiment with various Burgundy clones and provide input to winemaker Bill Pierson, who will blend the wine based on consensus results.
Proprietor Marina Knutson is enthusiastic about their 2013 Chardonnay. It contains about 33% Musquet clone and was barrel fermented, giving it a lovely creaminess. Papaya and peach on the nose are followed by full-bodied soft fruit with a beautiful touch of acidity. Delicious…. not your typical austere Chardonnay! Also great drinking is the 2012 Vanguard – predominantly Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc added to the blend, providing notes of dark cherry and plum within a solid structure; it’ll be even better with some time in the cellar.
The winery’s tally of awards continues to grow with the 2012 Gentleman Farmer Vineyard Pinot Noir taking Gold at the Global Pinot Noir Masters 2014 (London, England). It also medalled at the 2014 All Canadian Wine Championships, as did their Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
Be sure to try SpierHead’s wonderful wines at the WestJet Wine Tasting – or better yet, visit the winery – possibly for their last Foodie Friday on October 3. Don’t forget to explore the educational Demonstration Vineyard and to get your Fab Five passport stamped!
~ Allison Fader