On a sun-dappled Okanagan spring morning, I dropped by SpierHead Winery in Southeast Kelowna to sample some new releases with Proprietor Marina Knutson. It was one of those days when the sun and the blue sky bore the promise of warm weather and lush vines soon to come.
SpierHead’s picnic and special event areas are ready to welcome guests for anything from a couples’ getaway to a corporate function. Inside the winery, stacks of boxes are hidden away, bearing over a 1700 cases of SpierHead’s 2015 vintage releases.
“2015 was hot and great for wine,” says Marina. “Generally, we harvested three to four weeks earlier than normal and were nearly done by Thanksgiving.”
2015 Pinot Gris
The crisp new Pinot featured a citrusy aroma, hints of melon and papaya and a long, soft and warm finish.
2015 Riesling
The Riesling offers crisp acidity and is well-balanced, with the aroma of Granny Smith apples and lime. A dry wine, it was also refreshingly light. This versatile white can be enjoyed now, or laid down for a few months.
2015 Chardonnay
Marina (pictured) says this bottling is more Burgundian in style than previous releases; it is soft, with a beautiful aroma– a smooth sipper.
And SpierHead has exciting future plans. A new half-acre vineyard will feature additional Riesling grapes, and a new two acre western slope block will be home to two new clones of Pinot Noir.
~ Deanna Rainey