Beaumont Family Estate Winery is located on Mt. Boucherie Road in West Kelowna. This is right next to many of the wineries I have already featured: Mt Boucherie, Volcanic Hills and Rollingdale.
Alberta natives who moved to the Okanagan in 1990, Alex and Louise Lubchynski began growing grapes organically in the mid-1990s. They now have three vineyards nestled among residences in the Lakeview Heights district near Westbank. They began planning their own winery when their daughter, Alana, decided to become a winemaker.
The winery has produced 100% certified organic grapes since 1995.
Their winemaking principles are simple: Terroir, minimal intervention and vine management.
In the organic practices: low bud numbers and small bunches per vine produce premium fruit quality. The adoption of both old world and new world philosophies is at the heart of what makes the vineyards produce its quality wines.
The Beaumont Vineyards
The Homeplace vineyard was established in 1995 and is planted with 12 acres of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir. These grapes enjoy a spectacular due south view of Lake Okanagan.
The Mori vineyard planted in 1998 has 11.5 acres of Pinot Gris and Gamay Noir and is the helm of the winery. The south-sloping land is lush, fertile and fruitful.
The Douillard vineyard planted in 2000 is where you will find the picture-perfect 12-acre block of Pinot Noir. The south-sloping land has extremely rich soils which makes it a desirable vineyard for award-winning wines. On chosen years it also provides the speciality ice-wine block.
The Winemaker
Alana Lubchynski studied winemaking at Okanagan College. She then gained winemaking experience as a cellar hand at the following southern hemisphere wineries:
- Pooles Rock Estate Winery in the NSW Hunter Valley
- Church Road Winery at Hawkes Bay and
- Xanadu Winery in Margaret River (one of my favourite wine regions).
This year she will be working on her Tenth vintage.
The Estate Wines
Beaumont Pinot Gris 2015 The palate reveals bright citrus and pear flavours with a hint of acidity. Aromas of honey and pineapple give this delicious wine its character. Refreshingly crisp with a pleasing finish.
Beaumont Pinot Noir 2014 Classic Cherry notes followed by flavours of violet cinnamon and cedar. 100% French oak barrels aged for 12 months.
Beaumont Gamay Noir 2014 A well-concentrated red with rich flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry and pepper spice. Aromas of subtle oak and berry fruit.
You can visit the Beaumont Family Estate Winery website for their complete portfolio of BC wines here.
Source: The Beaumont Family Estate Winery provided the Winery and Vineyard information and BC wine tasting notes.