Tucked away off of Naramata Road in Penticton, BC, Red Rooster Winery is an oasis within the Southern Okanagan. With a spacious green lawn spanning the estate property, a covered patio space with ample shade, and unspoiled views of Okanagan Lake, Red Rooster offers an experience you will remember.
A staple in the Okanagan’s wine industry for over three decades, the winery was founded in 1990 and released its first vintage in 1997. Since then, Red Rooster has continued to impress wine lovers across Canada.
Harvest
According to Red Rooster’s winemaker Elaine Vickers, this year’s harvest is later than last year’s. However, this year’s timing is more typical—last year the harvest was early due to the extreme heat that blanketed the Okanagan. Vickers says this means the sugars in the grapes should be more balanced compared to last year. The team is eager to start picking grapes; first Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for Red Rooster’s delectable sparkling wine, then Semillon, with the rest to follow within the next few weeks.
New Releases
In the near future, Red Rooster will be releasing two new wines: their 2021 Sur Lie Chardonnay, and their first-ever Petit Verdot. The Sur Lie will be the first unrefined and unfiltered version of this wine for Red Rooster, which will cause the wine to appear cloudier.
The Petit Verdot will be a 2020 vintage, and Vickers anticipates it to sell out quickly. Originating from Bordeaux, France, Petit Verdot grapes are often used in blending Bordeaux-style red blends. As a bold, full-bodied, high-tannin red, Petit Verdot produces a stand-out wine on its own.
Experience Red Rooster
This fall, Red Rooster will be offering their popular Signature Wine Experience and Frosé & Friesling Experience.
For the Signature Wine Experience, guests will be educated on the various senses involved in tasting wine and will walk away with heightened senses and a new appreciation for wine. Hosted on Red Rooster’s expansive covered patio, guests will be invited to try a selection of Red Rooster’s red and white releases. Each varietal will be paired with samples of sweet, salty, spicy and sour tastes and smells, each highlighting how wine adapts to different flavour profiles. Repeat tasters, worry not—the wines within the flight rotate weekly.
The Frosé & Friesling Experience is the ultimate way to stay cool and refreshed! Made from Red Rooster’s delicious Rosé and Riesling wines, these wine slushies will pair perfectly with the warm fall weather and views of Okanagan Lake from the winery’s grassy lawn.
If you’re feeling a tad hungry, you can order some small bites to pair with your wine, such as a moreish charcuterie board, classic meatballs, or truffle popcorn from Cocktails & Canapes.
To reserve a fall wine experience at Red Rooster, visit redroosterwinery.com/tours-and-experiences/ to book.
Wine Club
To ensure you have an opportunity to try the new releases, join Red Rooster’s Wine Club. Not only will you be the first to hear about and taste their new releases, but you and up to three guests will receive complimentary tastings at Red Rooster, Black Hill Estate Winery, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Gray Monk Estate Winery, and Sandhill Wines. Wine Club members also receive a 15 per cent discount on all Red Rooster wines, merchandise and accessories, as well as other amazing perks.
Visit redroosterwinery.com to learn more about the Wine Club.
Come Visit
Red Rooster Winery is open seven days a week from noon until 5 pm. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure a table is available for you, but the winery will do its best to accommodate walk-ins. For more information about Red Rooster Winery, please visit redroosterwinery.com or call 1-888-505-5537. To stay up to date on new releases and events, follow Red Rooster on Instagram at @redroosterwine.