Adega on 45th Estate Winery in Osoyoos (Adega means wine cellar in Portuguese) is located on the road to Spirit Ridge and has quickly established a reputation that deserves a visit this spring. It’s a family affair with Fred Farinha and wife Pamala, and sister Maria Nunes and husband Alex, at the centre of the family business, with children pitching in to help in the tasting room. “My parents were some of the first Portuguese families to farm in this area, and purchased an orchard in 1966, but it came to a point- as for many orchard farmers -that we had to either sell our land or make a shift,” says Fred,” it was really about keeping another generation here on the land.” They first switched their personal vineyard over six years ago, and their winery vineyard four years ago. They’ve built a beautiful European style tasting room to showcase their wines, with a barrel room cave dug into the side of the hill and spectacular view of Lake Osoyoos and surrounding vineyards and orchards.
Two of their wines are named as a tribute to their parents; the ‘Manuel’ and the ‘Felicidade’, a red blend and white blend respectively. A must try is their Portao, a port style made with Merlot grapes.
(pictured: (l-r) Fred, Pamala, Maria & Alex)
Portao (Port Style wine)
Made with Merlot grapes and spirits for fortification. Aroma of spice and anise and lots of ripe fruits of plum with flavours of vanilla, chocolate and tobacco box. Cellar for 10+ years.
~ Terry Meyer-Stone