By Kim Foreman-Rhindress
“The days of speed tasting are over,” exclaimed Red Rooster Winery’s VIP Manager Burke Ganton, “and we couldn’t be happier!”
Located on an expansive property with lake and mountain views just down the road from the Penticton Sign, Red Rooster has shifted their focus to seated-only tastings that can happen indoors or outdoors.
“Everyone appreciates being able to just sit and enjoy our wines without standing at a bar,” Ganton explained. “We have found that seated tastings allow for a much less hurried experience overall, and they give our staff more time to really tell our story. Our goal is to provide a relaxed and quintessential Okanagan Valley wine tasting experience that people will remember.”
Up to 24 guests at a time can enjoy tastings outside under the trees in groups of six or fewer. “Being outside allows our guests a more complete experience––to see the grapes that created the wine, to smell the fresh air of the vineyard and feel the breeze that often graces the Bench,” explained Ganton.
Tastings are available seven days a week starting in May 2021, with available wine flights changing daily and some exciting new options to choose from. Reservations are highly recommended, but Red Rooster is one of the few wineries in the region able to accommodate spontaneous guests. Enthusiasts can expect to sample a wide range of wines, from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier and Rosé to Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, and occasionally even the highly-prized Golden Egg—their newest addition, a traditional-method Brut.
Non-Vintage Brut
Red Rooster’s non-vintage Brut has been in the works for years, and it’s now been released for all to enjoy.
Celebrate the everyday with this delicious sparkling wine. Let the bubbles tickle your nose as aromas of citrus and apples greet you. It has a creamy texture and a deliciously nutty finish.
This non-vintage Brut is Red Rooster’s first sparkling wine. It’s a traditional-method sparkling, made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. All grapes were sourced from the Okanagan Valley.
What to pair with this Brut? “Bubbles are a jack of all trades,” Ganton said. “Go ahead and experiment. There’s almost no wrong pairing to go with this inviting, bright and refreshing wine. Serve it chilled, kick back and enjoy.”
Blind Tasting Flight
Experienced wine tasters looking to test their skill and win prizes will find a new challenge in Red Rooster’s unique blind tasting flight.
The fun begins with a wine flight where the glasses are blacked out. “It’s so surprising how much harder it is to taste wine when you can’t see the colour or view its legs,” Ganton said. “No hints are offered during a blind tasting, but participants can expect lots of discussion afterwards. We are really excited to add this experience for our guests to learn in a fun way.”
A minimum of four wines are included in the blind tasting, and if the taster can identify all of the wines in their flight, they win a free bottle of wine.
Wine Club
As part of the Andrew Peller group, Red Rooster offers one of the best values in the region with their wine club membership. As part of the wine club, members receive four deliveries of wine each year, plus recipes, tasting notes and winery news. In addition, members gain access to private VIP rooms and can also enjoy free tastings for themselves and up to five guests at any of the Andrew Peller sister wineries.
Spanning from north to south, the Andrew Peller group includes Gray Monk, Sandhill, Tinhorn Creek, Wayne Gretzsky Okanagan and Black Hills, along with Red Rooster. You are now able to purchase a selection of all of these wines at The Wine Shop, Andrew Peller’s new online store (https://www.thewineshops.com/can/).
Plan Ahead
“My biggest advice to anyone visiting Red Rooster is to phone ahead and plan your visit to the region so you get the most out of your time here,” Ganton said. “Also, dress for the weather––hot or cold. Wherever you call home, once you are here, you are in our home. We want you to take the time to enjoy it and we want your time here to be perfect.”
To learn more or book your seated tasting, call the winery 250-492-2424 or email info@redroosterwinery.com.