Intrigue wines opened in 2009 with Roger and Jillian Wong and Geri and Ross Davis as the owners. The winery has close to 20 acres of estate vineyards in Lake Country and also grapes from the Southern Okanagan. The dominant variety in the Estate Vineyards is Riesling.
The tasting room was jumping when we arrived at Intrigue Wines on an overcast Victoria Day weekend. The parking lot was full of wine tasting tour buses and the food truck was busy making pizza for the hungry BC Wine lovers. Somehow we were lucky enough to find a spot at the wine tasting bar.
The Winemaker
Roger Wong, who was born in Vancouver, joined the BC wine industry in 1995 after many years of making wine at home. Tinhorn Creek provided Roger with his first taste of the industry while training him in all areas of the business. Pinot Reach helped solidify these skills, directing not only the winemaking duties but vineyard decisions as well. Gray Monk has allowed Roger to branch out from small-lot winemaking while continuing his speciality of small lots and sparkling wines.
The BC Wines
Intrigue® Focus Riesling 2015
The idea for FOCUS is simple – grow the best grape varietal for the lake country region – RIESLING. The Focus Riesling was selected from the Two Wong’s Make a White Vineyard in n Oyama, BC to express the full intensity of Riesling. The wine is fermented very slowly to retain the fruit character and then use extensive lees stirring to help develop the body of the wine.
Aromas of pear, granny smith apple, and biscuit from the lees contact. On the palate the dry Riesling bursts with flavours of pink grapefruit, green apple and minerality. Enjoy with a creamy risotto or seared scallops.
Intrigue® Social White Blend 2017
The white blend is 68.3% Riesling, 28.4% Gewurztraminer, 3.3% Muscat Canelli. Aromas of lemon, green apples and florals including rose petals with grapefruit and apple flavours and a clean finish. A good value summer sipper for under $15.
Intrigue Wines Chardonnay 2017
12% of the wine was fermented in new French oak barrels. Alcohol 12.1%, RS 8 gm/ L, TA 6.63 gm/L.
Aromas of green apple, tropical fruit with a hint of caramel. On the palate, ripe apple, pear, pineapple, honeydew melon, kiwi and toffee with crisp well-balanced acid. A great white for a hot summer day. The wine won a Bronze medal at the 2018 ACWC.
Intrigue Wines Pinot Gris 2018
Soft rose coloured hue, aromas of pear and rose petals. Residual sugar is balanced by the fresh acidity. On the palate, there is a medley of fruit flavours – apple, nectarine, and ripe pear.
Gold medal winner at 2019 All Canadian Wine Championships. For other excellent value BC Pinot Gris wines see – Top 10 Best Value BC Pinot Gris / Grigio
Intrigue® Social Rosé 2017
Technical Information Alcohol: 11.5% T.A.: 7.02 g/L R.S.: 24 g/L
The Rosé is a blend of 63.3% Riesling, 16.3% Gewurztraminer, 8.5% Merlot, 7.5% Rotberger and 4.4% Kerner. This is a sweet Rosé. Aromas of strawberry, rhubarb and candied apple and flavours of ripe strawberries and watermelon. You will enjoy this Rosé a fun summer party wine.
Intrigue® Merlot 2015
Technical information: Alcohol: 14.3% T.A.- 5.96 g/L R.S.- 1 g/L
The 2015 growing season was an outstanding year for Merlot in the Okanagan Valley. The hottest summer on record followed by a cool September contributed soft tannins and very ripe, almost jammy, fruit flavours.
These Merlot grapes were grown at the picturesque Trout Creek Vineyards in Summerland. Once pressed, the wine rested in oak barrels for 12 months. The deep red wine has strong aromas of black cherries, red plums and dark chocolate. A dry velvety palate with warm spices leads to a smooth white pepper finish. Ready to drink now or will mellow with cellaring. This is an excellent value red wine at $22.
For the complete portfolio of Intrigue Wines please visit their website https://www.intriguewines.com/shop-our-winesere.