Excelling in organic winemaking, Summerhill Pyramid Winery offers an exciting array of biodynamic wine releases. Winery sommelier Susan Watkins presented tasting notes on these new selections to pair with food or enjoy on their own.
Spadefoot Toad Syrah
Spadefoot Toad Syrah was rated 95 points and “#2 wine of the year” in 2020 by Carl Boucher. The grapes are grown at Spadefoot Toad Vineyard in Oliver by Ron Firman, a vine whisperer and environmentalist. Ron breeds the namesake endangered amphibians in a sealed-off irrigation ditch to rewild this important predator. He also cares for parched deer in the desert climate above his south-facing slope by filling kiddie pools with water.
Taste the love in this wine, featuring ripe blackberry, raspberry, and cherry kirsch aromas plus alluring notes of vanilla, sweet tobacco, leather and clove. On the palate, delight in black cherry, boysenberry, white pepper and a hint of black olive.
Biodynamic Chardonnay
The Biodynamic Chardonnay is complex and creamy with overall fruitiness in luxurious notes of lemon, lime pith, red apple, ripe pear and a light oak toast. Bright acidity refreshes the palate and leads to a long, lingering finish. This wine drinks well now and will mature beautifully.
Muscat, Ezra’s Favourite
A favourite of Summerhill proprietor Ezra Cipes, the Estate Grown Biodynamic Muscat marks the first time Summerhill has bottled a varietally labeled Muscat.
“It’s dynamite,” Cipes said. “While at my insistence, these vines were planted in 2011 and the first berries eaten by birds and deer, we’ve only blended these grapes into our Alive Organic White and wines specially made as dosage for sparkling wine. Only 300 cases are available and you’re going to love it!”
Notes Watkins, “Tantalizing aromas of candied ginger, white tea and rose delight the senses. On the palate, this Muscat is deliciously off-dry and bursting with flavours of tangerine, orange blossom and juicy white peach. Try with sashimi, fresh fruit salad, Thai larb salad or habanero-spiked chicken wings. The possibilities are endless!”
For information on these wines and other news, see summerhill.bc.ca.