On a snowy February day, Mt. Boucheries’ Craig McCulloch and Peter Contos are full of good news for the upcoming spring. McCulloch, vice president and CEO, says their extremely popular Gamay Noir, which has been absent from the market recently, will be released at the end of March.
“It’s fabulous,” he says simply. “There are floral, slightly earthy tones with red berries, red plums and a long finish of vanilla and soft tannins.”
All the Gamay grapes come from their 75 acres in the Similkameen Valley. McCulloch says the Gamay is a great introduction to red wines for young and new wine drinkers.
Contos, sales and marketing manager, says the 2016 Rosé will be released for the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival. 2015 was the first year they created a Rosé and the response was overwhelming. TThe Rosé is made with Zweigelt grapes from their West Kelowna vineyard. Enjoy a crisp, dry wine with notes of strawberry and great minerality.
Mt. Boucheries’ flagship wine is their 2013 Summit Winemakers Reserve, released in fall 2016. This blend consists of 35% Cabernet Franc grapes, 35% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Malbec. McCulloch credits winemaker Jim Faulkner for producing this exceptional vintage with its’ complex characters.
Late spring is the perfect time to fill a picnic basket and take a drive to Mt. Boucherie, where you’ll find their picnic area with splendid Okanagan Lake views. The patio is licensed and is home to a pergola and an outdoor tasting bar.
Drop by on May 6th during the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival for complimentary tastings and food, featuring live music in the afternoon.
There’s something new in the air at Mt. Boucherie, and a visit to their quaint wine shop is an ideal place to discover all there is to offer. Wine tastings are $3 for four tastings and two reserve wines for $6. They are open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
~ Deanna Rainey