Congratulations to Wild Goose on winning their 9th Lieutenant Governor Award of Excellence for the 2014 Mystic River Gewürztraminer! Wines from Wild Goose’s Mystic River Vineyard have brought in six of their nine Lieutenant Governor Award wins – two for the Mystic River Pinot Gris, two for the Mystic River Pinot Blanc, and now two for the Mystic River Gewürztraminer.
Meandering along the banks of the South Okanagan River near Oliver, Mystic River Vineyard features fertile soil of sandy clay and pea gravel. This 5-acre parcel is one of three vineyards that Wild Goose maintains in the Oliver and Okanagan Falls regions. Each section of every vineyard has been chosen to suit a particular varietal and winemaking style. The highly selective conditions in the grape-growing process allows winemaker Hagen Kruger the control to individually ferment each vineyard’s varietals at the optimum time, which he then blends to perfection.
It’s been an epic year for the Kruger family and Wild Goose Vineyards, as they’ve celebrated their 25th Anniversary all season long. Fans, both new and old, have come in full swing to show their support. Sold out events, a record-breaking year for the winery’s on-site Smoke & Oak Bistro, and soaring memberships for their new wine club demonstrate people’s love for the Okanagan Falls based winery.
“Wild Goose Vintners Club is a hit!” exclaims marketing manager Kate Durisek. “We’ve tripled our membership this year and we’re excited to share all of our major award-winning wines and new releases with our new and existing members at unbeatable prices.”
Wrapping up the festivities this year, Wild Goose presents their 2nd Annual Beale Street Festival on Saturday, October 10 featuring Vancouver blues icon Sherman “Tank” Doucette as the headlining act. A tribute to the south, the day will be packed full of BBQ, wine and music on Wild Goose’s beautiful new vineyard stage. Performance-only tickets are $37.50.
Since Canada’s ‘Queen of Blues’ Rita Chiarelli’s sold-out show this past July, the word is out about Wild Goose’s new über-professional vineyard stage. Look forward to their Summer Concert Series in 2016!
Wild Goose’s wine shop (10-5) and the Smoke & Oak Bistro (12-5) are open daily until mid-October. Visit wildgoosewinery.com for all details.
~ Sarah Willard