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It was a lovely Okanagan spring day when we dropped into picturesque Evolve Cellars in Summerland to chat with Christa-Lee McWatters Bond, Marketing Director for ENCORE Vineyards Ltd.  Encore Vineyards is the holding company for the Evolve Cellars, McWatters Collection and TIME Winery Brands.

Being relatively new to the BC Wine industry it was a great opportunity to hear the perspective of an industry executive that has lived and breathed BC Wine all her life.

The first question I asked was ” Why the name – Evolve Cellars?”

Christa-Lee provided the following insight. “As we were developing the TIME winery we realized there was a need for another brand for additional varietals in our portfolio.  Rather than just make another tier of TIME and McWatters we decided on a new brand – Evolve.  An easy drinking fruit forward aromatic style of primarily white wine that was consumer friendly.

There were three reasons we chose Evolve.  One, we have seen the industry evolve with a lot of innovation.  The industry has grown from only 14 wineries when NAFTA was signed to about 350 wineries now. Two, the product itself is constantly evolving.  From vineyard to vinification to as it ages in the bottle, the product itself evolves.  Three, and probably the most important, as humans we are continuously thriving to be a slighty better version of ourselves.

Also, we have a long term lease for the estate vineyard.  However, in time we may evolve into another location in the Okanagan Valley.

Future Plans

The goal of the Evolve brand is to continue to expand.  To produce easy drinking consumer friendly wines for the target segment of 25-40-year-old female wine drinkers who enjoy  “no drama” light fruity wines.  Evolve Cellars has doubled their sales this past year to around 7,000 cases and at full capacity will be about 20,000 cases annually.

The Vineyard

Evolve Cellars has a long-term lease and manage the five acres of estate vineyard. An ideal site to capture the bright, fresh flavours that are the focus of the winemaking team. This small bench on Lake Okanagan has a moderating lake effect. This keeps the vines cooler in the heat of summer and warmer on crisp winter days.  The vineyard is planted with Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Merlot (grown only for Rosé)

Sparkling Wine

Evolve Pink EFFERVESCENCE NV – 50% Pinot Blanc, 30% Merlot and 20% Chardonnay.  Evolve makes this wine by the Charmat Method¹, like Prosecco.  The base wine is added together with the sugar and yeast mixture into a large tank.  As the wine has a second fermentation, the carbon dioxide released by the fermentation causes the tank to pressurize.  The wine is then filtered, dosed and bottled without ageing.

Pale pink rose petals in colour.  Aromas of ripe red peach and flavours of watermelon, cherry and strawberries. This is Evolves largest selling sparkling wine.

All the Evolve Cellar labels were designed by Town Hall Brands.  The sparkling wines are not available in 125 ml bottles typical of Prosecco single servings because these bottles are so expensive.  However, several Vancouver restaurants do offer EFFERVESCENCE or Pink EFFERVESCENCE by the glass.

White Wine

Evolve Pinot Gris 2017 Alc% 13.5 | RS 3.0 | pH 3.35 | TA 5.7. No oak is used but the wine is fermented on the lees to give it more texture.  This is Evolve’s largest selling white wine.

Aromas of honey, nectarine, and floral undertones. Round and juicy, with balanced fresh honey, pear and apple flavours and a crisp, refreshing finish.  Pairs well with fish and shellfish, summer salads, or a sunny day.

Evolve Viognier 2016 Alc% 13.0 | RS 4 | pH 3.61 | TA 5.4 . Peaches, lemon, honeysuckle and toasted spice aromas.  Delicate stone fruits on the palate with a juicy finish and balanced freshness.   Pairs well with Moroccan cuisine, fish tacos or BBQ pork. 

Evolve Riesling 2016 Alc% 10.8 | RS 21.3 | pH 2.79 | TA 10.2  The grapes are sourced from old vines in a Kelowna vineyard.  Stone fruit, floral notes, and a touch of honey. Well-balanced citrus and peach, smooth and full-bodied with a seamless palate. Classic Riesling with all the freshness and zip that goes with it.  Pairs well with seafood, crab cakes, Asian cuisine, or sweet and spicy dishes.

Evolve’s Riesling won BC Wine of the Year at this year’s British Columbia Best of Varietal Wine Awards.  571 other BC wines that were entered for judging.

Evolve Sauvignon Blanc 2016  Alc% 12.8 | RS 3.0 | pH 3.5 | TA 4.9  The grapes for this wine come from the Sundial vineyard in Oliver.  Aromas of lime and tropical fruit with nectarine.  On the palate are bright, lively citrus and summer fruit flavours of melon, nectarine, and pear.

Rosé

Evolve Shiraz 2016 Alc% 13.5 | RS 4.2 | pH 4.06 | TA 5  Grapes from the Black Sage bench.  Ageing for only 6 months on oak.  Jammy aromas of ripe blackberry and plum with savoury floral notes. A full-bodied Aussie style Shiraz with soft flavours of blackberry jam, blueberry, chocolate, pepper and toasty oak.

Another great value wine at $19.99.  Brought back fond memories of quaffing Shiraz in the Barossa Valley and McClaren Vale.

Evolve Cabernet Merlot 2016. Alc% 13.5 | RS 4.0| pH 3.70 | TA 5.9  50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is Evolve’s largest selling red wine.  A sleek and sexy red with a spicy nose of black cherry, cassis and cedar. On the palate soft flavours of plum and cherry.  Another easy-drinking red.

If you love a light and fruity wine that is great standalone or with your favourite pairing be sure the check out the Evolve Cellars BC Wine portfolio on their website.

References

1. How sparkling wine is made.  Wine Folly

Notes

1. In 2019,  Evolve Cellars’ found a new home at 361 Martin St., in downtown Penticton BC, sharing a roof with sibling TIME Winery.