Anthony Gismondi: A tour of South Okanagan wineries makes you not want to leave

Article content

 Next week, we continue our tour through Oliver, the Black Sage Bench, Osoyoos, and the Similkameen Valley as we prepare you for your next visit to B.C. wine country.

Article content

Article content

Weekend wine picks

Article content

Article content

Gérard Bertrand Esprit de Côte des Roses N/V, Vin de France

Article content

$24.95 I 89/100

Article content

UPC: 3514123138023

Article content

Gérard Bertrand’s latest Rosé sparkles. Released at Wine Paris, Esprit de Côte des Roses is a sparkling Rosé made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Grenache Noir. It’s a fun mix of freshness, precision, and balance, with reserve wines aged in oak that lend it elusive aromatic depth, texture, and harmony. On the palate, its pale-pink hue announces nuance, delicacy, and refined bubbles that glide down easily. The flavours are awash in fresh berries and white flowers. Ready to drink.

Article content

Article content

Hester Creek Pinot Gris Viognier 2025, Okanagan Valley

Article content

$21.99 I 87/100

Article content

UPC: 626990222101

Article content

This Pinot Gris-Viognier is all about aromatics and freshness, with an off-dry style (10g of residual sugar) that can stand up to some spice. The Gris brings a modicum of structure and freshness, while Viognier is all about aromatics and mid-palate smoothness. Look for ripe orchard scents of pears, apricots, white peach, and honey, with similar flavours and more peach in the finish. Calamari with lemon, vegetarian dishes, and Asian plates, with a touch of spice, all work here. Serve well chilled. A block party pleaser.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Nighthawk Vineyards Rose 2025, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley

Article content

$26 I 90/100

Article content

UPC: 626990340669

Article content

This 100 per cent Pinot Noir is farmed for Rosé production and undergoes 12 hours of skin contact. The nose is fragrant, with a lovely strawberry aroma. The initial impression is gentle and as delicate as its Provençal colour. On the palate, it features strawberry and rhubarb, with juicy, fresh flavours and a clean finish. It’s an excellent wine to enjoy during lunch on-site, paired with one of the many superb pizzas baked in the Portuguese oven. The label features a gorgeous painting of Nighthawk in flight by Okanagan artist Alex Fong, whose art appears on all the tables. You can enjoy this wine now.

Article content

Article content

Upper Bench Riesling 2025, Okanagan Valley

Article content

$30 I 89/100

Article content

UPC: 626990195047

Article content

The ’25 Riesling has moved to the estate tier at Upper Bench and is a shining example of the 2025 vintage. The nose is bright and fresh, with notes of honey and crunchy red apples. Similar notes carry through the juicy, easy-sipping mid-palate, with hints of honey and a mineral, wet-stone finish. It was a generous vintage, and this Riesling is generous as well, perfect for serving all summer with a wide variety of appetizers on the deck, especially anything with a bit of spice.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Nabal Organic Ribera del Duero 2023, Ribera del Duero, Castilla-León, Spain

Article content

$35.99 I 90/100

Article content

UPC: 8437015424101

Article content

This organically farmed Tempranillo from Bodegas Nabal is a textbook entry-level expression of a warm, ripe year, despite the fruit coming from a higher elevation. The nose opens with blackberry and blueberry, dusted with sweet spice from a six-month stay in French and American oak barrels. It’s full-bodied, with dark fruit and rich, firm tannins that will need another two or three years to soften. Well made and drinkable now with richer meat dishes like grilled lamb or beef ribs. Fair value.

Article content

Article content

B.C. wine of the week

Article content

Article content

Blue Grouse Estate Ortega 2024, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island

Article content

$25.99 I 90/100

Article content

UPC: 696852117371

Article content

Ortega has long contributed to the success of the Wine Islands and remains a key part of the Blue Grouse collection. The wine is dry, with a crisp, island character featuring green apple, tangerine, and lemon. Marine, saline, and chalky hints elevate it, with levels even the Germans find challenging to match. Perfect pairings include West Coast shellfish dishes or aged cheeses. Ortega has been a staple of Vancouver Island wine growing since the earliest commercial vineyards emerged in the 1980s. A Germanic hybrid of müller-thurgau and siegerrebe, it was harvested at Blue Grouse Estate and nearby Enrico Vineyard. The wine ferments and matures for 11 months in neutral French oak barrels and puncheons.