vinAmité Cellars is owned by Ray and Wendy Coulombe and their daughters Catherine and Natalie.
vinAmité translates as “Harmony, a meeting of minds, a joining of Old World and New World approaches, a family of wines for family and friends. Living in harmony with each other and with our wines is felt by customers who visit us and get to know our wines.”
Ray was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He began his career in Toronto. Ray moved to Montreal where he met his wife Wendy. She had just arrived from Dearborn, Michigan, looking for a job in advertising. Eventually, they started their own company in Montreal and Toronto. After two decades, they took extensive road trips throughout North America then settled in Oliver. Their house happened to have five plus acres of neglected vineyard.
The Vineyard
The vineyard is over 20 years old. Ray and Wendy Coulombe purchased it along with their home 10 years ago. The vineyard had been used for growing bulk grapes sold to wineries up and down the Valley. Over a three year period, they turned the vineyard towards quality grapes rather than quantity. Ray reduced the tonnage dramatically and re-introducing taste and terroir to the French varietals. They started with 5.5 acres of grapes which was reduced by an acre
The Vintages
Every year presents its own challenges from Mother Nature who holds all the wild cards for the farmer. We expect and celebrate the differences of each vintage, taking care to only enhance the winemaking process by promoting the original grape flavours first and foremost, and as interpreted with our vision of a common concept to the vinAmité wines that we craft.
Ray Coulombe
The Winemakers
From the beginning, winemaking has been a reflection of the wines we like and an amalgam of the many wines we have enjoyed. I started in my 20s, driving the vineyards of France in a little white rented Renault. Today, my daughter Catherine has grown into the position of Winemaker after we spent a few years working with a consultant to guarantee the nuances we required for a line of personal and distinctive wines.
Luckily, we have always shared the same taste buds in both food and wine.
Before starting vinAmité, Catherine was in charge of the three kitchens at Google Headquarters in Montreal. Previous to Google, Catherine managed a catering service.
Ray Coulombe
The Wines
2019 will represent our 7th vintage. Our grapes are Chardonnay, Orange Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gamay Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Our vineyard is sustainable and also designated Salmon Safe.
In addition to the grapes we farm, we also have ongoing relationships with the same few local farmers for Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. We share a common approach to farming and the development of the plants for quality, taste profile and terroir.
Our Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Gamay Noir are 100% single varietal. The Chardonnay comes from oak barrels both new and old to blend into a fine balance. The Gamay Noir receives a gentle oak in the spirit of a quality Beaujolais-styled light red.
All our reds are aged in French oak barrel. They are used in three blend offerings that highlight differences in character, taste, and complexity: Petit Claret, Compass and Hidden Corner.
The Petit Verdot is presented as a 100% single varietal. We also have a dedicated private wine club with members across Canada for several hundred wine enthusiasts. The club members can select our two whites, our white blend, Chanson d’amour and our five reds.
In addition to our very different five red wines, we also released the first of our ports after three years in barrel. Four more barrels will be released, one barrel at a time over the decade.
Ray Coulombe
vinAmité Chardonnay ($31.90)
Aromas of brioche, toasted almonds and honey are further enhanced and confirmed with the rich tastes of lemon meringue pie, green apple and baking spices. With a touch of butterscotch on the finish, this Chardonnay is balanced with just the perfect amount of French oak to keep it elegant.
vinAmité Gamay Noir ($28.90)
The expression of cherries, strawberries and raspberries freshly collected are crafted into this unique and delicate slightly chilled red wine. Its complex flavours of fresh-baked pies, Summer fruit and gentle tannins with just a kiss of French oak makes this a perfect fit for a lazy afternoon.
vinAmité Petit Claret ($28.90)
The bouquet of dried cherries, plums, a touch of cedar plank and deli-smoked meat combined with a taste of spice and everything nice is layered between berries, anise, supple tannins and cocoa on the finish. The feeling of an Old World meeting the New World. Nice to meet you. Let the magic begin. 60% Merlot, 40% Cab Franc.
You can visit the vinAmité Cellars website for their complete portfolio of BC wines here.
The Tasting Room
“The tasting room has proven to be a popular gathering place for a glass or bottle of wine accompanied by an assortment of patés, rillettes, terrines and saucisson sec made with our wines, local cheeses and fresh bread with vinAmité jellies and more enjoyed inside or on the deck overlooking the vineyard or to take home.”
Future Plans
Our objective going forward is not too much growth beyond our ability to steer our wine company at a manageable size to keep it intimate and personal, two qualities our patrons respect and expect.
We are always in pursuit of the very best we can do with the very best grapes grown here in this little corner of the South Valley, south of Oliver. It’s the world of wine we live in, breathe, visit other winery friends and partake in striving to be the best we can be
.