You can find Corcelettes Estate Winery on Upper Bench Road in Keremeos. Charlie Baessler and his family operate the winery.
Their first vintage was in 2011, consisting of 200 cases. They currently craft 4500 cases of wine per year, with plans of each future vintage growing in production size. It is located right next door to another outstanding Similkemeen Winery – Clos du Soleil.
The Vineyards
The original Corcelettes winery was opened in 2013 on a three-acre vineyard near Cawston. The winery moved in 2015 after the Baessler family bought the former Herder Winery.
The Estate is now nearly 160 acres, with 23 planted acres of mostly Bordeaux varietal grapes, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Working together with local Similkameen growers, they also source grapes a stone’s throw away from the winery.
The Chasselas grape
One of the rarest white grape varieties in British Columbia is Chasselas. Widely grown in Switzerland where it has several regional synonym names, the main one being Fendant in the Valais canton.
It is considered an ideal pairing for fondue. Chasselas is also known as Perlan in the Mandement district of Geneva. In 2009, it was Switzerland’s second most grown grape variety at ~10,000 acres. In France, it is mostly grown in the Loire region. There it is converted into a blend with Sauvignon blanc called “Pouilly-sur-Loire”. California and Australian growers know this variety under the alias names of Chasselas Dore or Golden Chasselas.
There are only 25 acres of Chasselas grapes in BC, which represents only 0.5% of the total white grape acreage.
Corcelettes Trivium 2015
Corcelettes Trivium is a blend of 50% Chasselas and 25% each of Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. The blend came about because the original Corcelettes vineyard near Cawston grew the three varieties in those proportions. Charlie indicated that the early harvest this year would not be a problem as the Chasselas grape thrives on heat.
With the varietals used in Trivium, it’s difficult to ever achieve co-fermentation as these varieties (Chasselas, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris) ripen at such different times. Corcelettes has been narrowing their focus on yeast strains and ferment temperatures to better meet the blend style so ultimately, it’s better to harvest and ferment these varietals separately and treat them as small lots with their own needs.
The Trivium blend is perfect, beginning with aromas of spice and herbs with a touch of lemon. On the palate, there are flavours of green apple and peach. The finish is very crisp and refreshing.
The original 3-acre vineyard was sold in 2017, so 2016 was probably the last vintage for Corcelettes Trivium.
Corcelettes Menhir 2013
The standout wine for me was the Corcelettes Menhir 2013 (200 cases). I had the opportunity to try the wine at the Garagiste North in Kelowna. This was the winery’s flagship red, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah. Menhir (pronounced “may-near”) was named after the stone that still stands on the family farm in Switzerland. Intense spicy peppery, plum and blueberry aromas of Syrah combined with the savoury dried herbs, and blackcurrant of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet / Syrah blends
Cabernet Sauvignon – Syrah blended wines are a particular speciality of the country I was born in, Australia, where Syrah is known as Shiraz. The two are well-known French varieties that have been successfully transplanted down under. Cabernet Sauvignon is best known for its role in Bordeaux, while Syrah climbs the steep slopes of the Rhone Valley. In Australia, the two combine (sometimes along with Cabernet Franc) to make a rich, full-bodied red that is the basis of some of the country’s most famous wines.
Corcelettes Meritage 2017
100% Corcelettes Estate Vineyard – Stemwinder Soil. A careful assemblage of 38% Merlot – 34% Cabernet Franc – 24% Cabernet Sauvignon – 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot.
The art of blending. Having identified the most expressive rows in the estate vineyard, Charlie begins shaping the Meritage while on the vine. Merlot and Cabernet Franc always seem to lead the blend with full, ripe fruit character making to wine rich. All wine lots are cellared separately in many formats of French oak. Cellared for 18 months and bottle-aged prior to release.
This Bordeaux “style” blend shows blackberry fruit, blueberries, violets, liquorice and delicate smokiness. The flavours are red and dark plums, cherries, pomegranate seeds, roasted red peppers and allspice. Acidity is very well balanced against the restrained tannins. Refined, restrained and romantic!
If you have the opportunity to try the Corcelettes Estate Wines, please do because they are all excellent. You can find the complete portfolio of Corcelettes wines on the winery website.