At CedarCreek Estate Winery, two tiers of elegant wines — Estate and Platinum — are crafted with care. The Platinum tier is comprised of the best of the vineyard grapes. Each year, the CedarCreek team seeks out grapes representative of interesting local sites and old heritage blocks to develop Platinum single-vineyard or single-block series wines. Such places in the vineyards demonstrate “something unique; where vine maturity, soil and climate combine to create something distinctly CedarCreek.”
“Our thoughtful, precise winemaking approach highlights specific characteristics from individual vineyard blocks to make premium, terroir-driven wines while, at the same time, transitioning to organic practices across all of our vineyards” says winemaker Taylor Whelan. CedarCreek’s wines are carefully cultivated and finessed, rather than simply made, bottled or produced.
As the vines age, their individual characteristics emerge. Over time, allowing for vintage variation, the team becomes comfortable with the consistency of character. Then, different steps and vessels — such as ceramic, concrete and oak — are used to ferment and finish the wines.
Platinum Wine Club
Members of the winery’s “Platinum Club,” as well as select restaurants and retailers, get first dibs on CedarCreek wines. Both tiers are well received by Platinum Club members, regular guests, visitors and discerning wine judges.
Awards
In WineAlign’s recent 2018 National Wine Awards Competition (NWAC), the 2016 Platinum Block 5 Chardonnay earned a prestigious Platinum Medal. NWAC awarded Gold medals to 2014 Platinum, The Last Word (red blend) and 2017 Platinum Block 3 Riesling; Silver medals to 2014 Platinum Desert Ridge Meritage and 2016 Platinum Riesling Icewine. In all, medals awarded included one platinum, three gold, five silver and four bronze, placing CedarCreek seventh in the 2018 NWAC’s Top Wineries in Canada — which is no small feat, as this year’s awards are considered “the largest and most comprehensive wine competition in Canadian history.”