It is not very often that you run into another Melbourne University Alumni in the Okanagan. Driving to Summerland, I was looking forward to meeting Cameron Walker, the Lunessence Winery & Vineyard General Manager, to taste the new wine releases.
Cameron started his Canadian Career in Vancouver with an Advertising Agency. Made the plunge into Wine Marketing with Bacchus. From there he moved to the Wine Syndicate as a partner and then to Lunessence when the opportunity arose in 2018.
Cameron’s partner in wine is Emily Walker, Group Sommelier / Wine Buyer at Tap & Barrel Restaurants. Emily is from Kelowna so they jumped at the opportunity to return to the Okanagan.
The Estate Vineyard
The 6-acre Lunessence estate vineyard was planted in 2003. The Estate plantings include:
- Riesling (2.1 acres)
- Gewurztraminer (1 acres)
- Pinot Blanc (0.3 acres)
- Oraniensteiner (0.3 acres)
- Merlot (2 acres)
- Syrah (0.3 acres)
There is a neighbouring 2.5-acre vineyard that is also owned by Lunessence and will be planted in 2020 with Pinot Noir. Lunessence produced around 5,000 cases last year.
The Winemakers
Michal Mosny is the winemaker of record for the 2018 Vintage. Michal has since moved onto Winemaker’s CUT. Michal established a high benchmark for the Lunessence wines and the go-forward plan will be to ensure continuity.
However, there will be changes, for example, the addition of Pinot Noir to the red line up. Cameron expects to keep a tight line up of around 7 British Columbia wines going forward and to continue the reputation for their style of reds and off-dry aromatic whites. His expectation is for the Lunessence white wines to be a shade drier in the future.
In August, Lunessence Winery & Vineyard announced that Maxime Legris has joined the team as Head Winemaker. Max was most recently Assistant Winemaker at CedarCreek Estate Winery for two years and brings with him extensive winemaking, vineyard & technical experience from Ontario and New Zealand. Here is the link to the Announcement Press Release that provided more detail – Maxime Legris joins Lunessence as Head Winemaker.
The White Wines
Lunessence Quartet 2018 ($19.99)
60% Riesling |37% Gewurztraminer | 2% Muscat |1% Pinot Blanc
100% Stainless Steel. 100% of the estate white grapes go into Quartet, but the bottling is not 100% estate fruit as the blend is supplemented with fruit from vineyards near Oliver.
This aromatic white off-dry wine (RS=13) perfectly balances sweetness to fruit intensity to acidity, with green apple, pear, lime, lemon sherbet, perfumed florals and honeycomb. The wine has a lovely silky texture and intense full-flavoured finish. Chill well and enjoy now. 90 Points.
Lunessence Viognier 2018 ($20.99)
The fruit is from an Oliver vineyard. Aromas of peaches and pears with subtle floral notes. Palate-wise, an abundance of white peach, stone fruits, honeydew melon and honey. This delicious Viognier has a luxurious viscous mouthfeel and a medium-long finish. 91 Points
The wine won a silver medal at 2019 All Canadian Wine Championship.
Lunessence Sauvignon Blanc Muscat 2018 ($21.99)
This is a field blend of grapes from Naramata bench. Stainless steel fermentation. The final blend contained 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Muscat Canelli, and the remainder (10%) made up Viognier, Chardonnay and Semillon. Cold soaked for one day, then gently pressed and fermented.
This is the most off-dry of the whites at an RS of 20 gm/L but nicely balanced. A fruity pineapple, peach and floral aroma. On the palate a complex blend of white peach, green apple and mandarin orange with a deliciously creamy finish that lingers. 89 Points
Lunessence Reserve Riesling 2017 ($27.99)
Only 10.5% Alcohol. This wine was made with the objective of moving towards a natural orange style wine. The crushed juice was left on skins for 20 days to gain all the colour and tannin extraction. Then into neutral barrels for 4 months before bottling which deepened the colour to a golden hue but doesn’t overpower the wine.
The nose features orange peel, amaretto, and marzipan then finishes with hints of floral. A rich off-dry mouthfeel with flavours of ripe apple and citrus that delivers a lasting finish. A perfect complement to Apple Pie. 91 Points
Rosé
Lunessence Blanc de Noirs 2018 ($19.99)
The Rosé this year was made from 69% Merlot and 31% Syrah. All the estate reds go into the Rosé and are supplemented with other fruit. After pressing and natural fermentation the wine had very little skin contact and 4 months in stainless steel tanks before bottling. The fruity aroma of freshly picked strawberries. Mouthwatering flavours of strawberries and watermelon with good acidity and a well-balanced finish. This wine will sell out quickly again this year so buy now! 91 Points
Red Wines
The red line up continues with the exception that there were not enough grapes available for the Crescendo or Duet blends.
Lunessence Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ($34.99)
This is a single vineyard Cab from a single block with very limited production. The wine was aged for 8 months on Hungarian and French oak, then spent 10 months in bottles before release. This is a young cab with grippy firm tannins. Please decant and aerate before drinking if you are not going to cellar the wine. 12.5% alcohol.
The wine was made to achieve terroir flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon, full of black fruit, vanilla, bacon and black leather underlined with toasty oak. The wine is great now with BBQ steak.
Lunessence Merlot 2017 ($29.99)
After full malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for 8 months in Hungarian and French oak and then spent 10 months in bottles before release.
Ruby red colour and a nose full of red plums, chocolate, vanilla and spice. This Merlot is a full-bodied red with juicy cherry and dark chocolate flavours, full chewy tannins and a long finish. 91 Points
To purchase these wines, the link to the winery site is here.
For tasting notes on earlier Lunessence releases see Lunessence Winery & Vineyard’s 2017 New Releases and Lunessence: Nature and Music make Fine Wine
Note: The article was updated in August 2019 to include the new Head Winemaker announcement.