Jenn Triggs is the president of Fashion Estates Winery. The new venture combines her passion for BC Wine and Fashion. She decided on a career change after 15 years in telecommunications. After seeing her family for advice (Jenn is a cousin of Donald Triggs) she teamed up with Mark Simpson as her winemaker. Jenn loves to be part of a vibrant BC wine industry. She hopes to make a difference in the wine community the way her family has for the past 30 years. Her drive and resilience to continue her projects in a very competitive business climate are remarkable and to be admired.
You can find Jenn hosting wine events for charitable causes, joining wine festivals, and being a BC Wine advocate in her local town of Oliver. Her future plans include seeking out her own vineyard and winery site.
The Winemaker
Mark Simpson has over twenty years experience in food and beverage manufacturing. He graduated from the UBC Microbiology program in 1982. Mark started his career with Molson Breweries. He went on to join RJ Spagnols Wine and Beer Making Products for Vincor International. His winemaking role was as Director of Research, Development and Quality Assurance.
Mark’s support for the Fashion Estates Winery start-up was key to the project’s success. His unique techniques and precision were apparent early on in the project. The Fashion Estates makes the wines at Mark’s BC Wine Studio in Okanagan Falls. BC Wine Studio is a great place to incubate new wine projects and Mark has already helped launch other successful brands like Black Market Wines Co. You can also read about another winery that Mark supports here.
The BC Wines
Fashion Estates Ombré Rosé 2016 The grapes for the Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon-based rosé came from a Golden Mile vineyard, located between Road 18 & 19. The vines are 23 years old and grow on sandy loam soil structures. This site had a beautiful rock face to add extra warmth throughout the growing season. The Merlot was sourced from the Gold Hill Winery.
This well-balanced dry style rosé has a deep scarlet hue with fresh strawberries, watermelon, and orange characteristics while finishing off with a vibrant strawberry orange cream. The depth of this big rosé comes from spending 24 hours on the Merlot skins. The wine pairs well with shellfish, pasta, and salad dishes.
Fashion Estates Appliqué Gewürztraminer 2016: This was all estate fruit from the leased vineyard mentioned above. It was a great joy for Jenn to produce her first “estate bottle”, as she tended these vines for the 2016 vintage.
This aromatic dry style Gewürztraminer has floral and lychee aromas with honeyed passion fruit and green apple characteristics while finishing off with a citrus spice. Pairs well with smoked salmon, and a variety of Indian and Asian dishes.
For the complete BC Wine portfolio of Fashion Estate please visit the winery website.
Source: All photo credits to Fashion Estates Winery