Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts named the Kettle Valley Winery after the railway that had first tied Naramata together with the outside world. This was the one place from which they could see all their vineyards at the same time.
In 1987 they bought some property on a crooked road that the kids nick-named Rattlesnake Road and planted their first blocks of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This was to become the basis for their style of intense full-bodied reds and whites.
The Vineyards
Naramata, Okanagan Valley
- Hayman, (3.70 acres) Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- Old Main, (3.00 acres) Old Main Blend, Syrah
- McGraw, (2.75 acres) Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Petit Syrah
- Stern, (0.75 acres) Syrah
- Crest, (1.25 acres) Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
- Barber, (2.50 acres) Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
- Harvey, (1.10 acres) Riesling
- Cossentine, (3.50 acres) Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris
- King, (4.10 acres) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah
Cawston, Similkameen Valley
- Great Northern, (14.00 acres) Viognier, Syrah, Zinfandel
Kettle Valley Harvest 2018
This harvest brought about our 27th vintage. We had a very smoky summer in the Okanagan as well as the Similkameen Valley, similar to what most of the province faced this summer with all of the forest fires. At times we could not see Okanagan Lake from the winery or tasting room. The fires came very close to our Great Northern Vineyard in Keremeos, as the fire came down the mountainside to the river which is adjacent to our property.
We did some preliminary test fermentations from grapes in vineyards closest to the fires and did not experience any negative smoke aromas or tastes in those ferments. The compounds that cause smoke taint are attached to sugar compounds in the grapes and are hard to detect simply by tasting the grapes. Smoky aromas are released in the wine as the sugar is fermented and converted to alcohol.
Harvest commenced on September 28 with the picking of Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. Zinfandel from our Great Northern Vineyard in Keremeos was the last pick on November 3.
As we finish off our 27th year, as the oldest single-owner winery on the Naramata Bench, we still remain dedicated to making and sharing great wines from BC grapes. Our family’s commitment is as strong as ever to farming full flavoured grapes and to winemaking that brings out the best of those flavours and subtleties.
Whether you’ve known us for all these years or are just coming on-board, thanks for your support and raise a glass to our fine fruit, family and friends.
Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts, Co-Founders and Wine Makers
The Wines
Kettle Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2014
A big bold dark and foreboding pinot. Black cherries dominate with earthy undertones, spices and sage. The palate is focused and elegant, showing an exceptional balance of tautness and generosity. Long sage on the finish. Suggest waiting an hour before drinking to let the wine breathe. Worked fabulously with Moroccan lamb and scalloped potatoes. 92 Points
The Pinot Noir is also great with premium saltines. For this wine, I would suggest the Parmesan and Rosemary variety from Gone Crackers. Known as the Wine Cracker, they are made with the highest quality ingredients but with no yeast, sugar, or hydrogenated oils. The Parmesan perfectly complements the black cherries, spices and sage in the wine.
For the complete portfolio of Kettle Valley Winery’s BC wines please visit the winery website.