Valley of the Springs Winery is located on a ridge with panoramic views of Nakusp and the Arrow Lakes Valley. This area is known for the natural and developed Hot Springs.
The Scott family have carved out a vineyard, smack dab in the middle of the forest, on a bed of granite rock.
It’s not your usual story of “we wanted to start a winery so we found some land”. It’s the story of falling in love with viticulture – from that first row of vines.
This is a story of a family with a love of this land, farm, community, and a passion for making great wine with Arrow Lakes grapes.
The Vineyard
“The 5-acre property has two acres planted with grapes. The vineyard was originally planted with 10 different varieties of grapes, as we were not sure what would thrive on our site. At the time, there were very few people growing wine grapes in the Arrow Lakes Valley.
Through nearly a decade of trial and error, we have determined the best varietals that are suited to our climate and terroir and have focussed our efforts on several varieties that ripen early and give us excellent fruit for winemaking. We are transitioning our focus on Marechal Foch and Siegerrebe. We also have Gewurztraminer, Ortega, Pinot Noir and Blattner Reds.”
Jody Scott, Co-Owner, Valley of the Springs Winery
The Winemakers
Valley of the Springs Winery is owned by Jody and Brenda Scott who operated a bed and breakfast on site for many years. Pioneering commercial grape growing in the Arrow Lakes Valley, proprietors Jody and Brenda Scott added grapevines to the property as a landscaping idea.
Jody Scott worked as a Faller in the logging industry for over 35 years. If you’ve spent time winding through his rows with him, his true calling is in the vineyard. What started as a landscaping project on their family acreage became a thirst for knowledge – and fine wine!
Jody has spent countless hours researching, testing, and persevering; determining the best varieties of grapes to grow in the Arrow Lakes Valley.
Jody is a graduate of the Vineyard Management program at Okanagan College. He was the co-chair of the Arrow Lakes Grape Growers Society (ALGGS). Under the guidance of winemaker Jaime Flemke of Recline Ridge Winery, and many years of mentorship from Paul Troop of Salt Spring Island Winery, 2019 marks the first vintage made in Nakusp.
The first vintage in 2018 was made at Recline Ridge.
2019 Harvest
“A cool rainy summer in the Kootenays and an early frost meant that harvest was late and a bit of a rush! This year, three generations of our family harvested from our property in Nakusp. They also harvested at a vineyard down the lake near Fauquier, owned by our friend’s, the Whitecottons. The fruit came in in excellent shape. We are expecting aromatic and full-bodied whites with crisp acidity. The reds are fragrant and very age-worthy.“
Jody Scott
The Wines
Valley of the Springs Vista 2018 ($20.00)
The co-fermented blend is made mostly of the signature grape – Siegerrebe. Known as the Victory Vine for its hardiness, this aromatic white is complemented by the delicate flavours of Ortega, Madeleine Angevine and Madeleine Sylvanner.
This blend is made from estate grapes and from two other local vineyards, one in Crescent Bay and the other in Burton. Maximizing the advantages of these unique micro-climates, this wine represents a true Arrow Lakes Valley wine.
Vista is light-bodied, medium-dry, and has intense aromas of ripe peach, melon and tropical passion fruit.
Valley of the Springs Gewürztraminer 2018 ($20.00)
With exotic notes of lychee, tropical fruit, citrus blossom, and rose petal this off-dry, well balanced white wine finishes with notes of pear and white flower.
Pair this easy-drinking wine with something nice and spicy – meal or company – your choice!
Valley of the Springs Bacchus 2018 ($20.00)
Named after the Roman God of Agriculture and Wine, Bacchus is a cross between Riesling x Sylvaner x Müller-Thurgau.
This bold and intrepid white wine has powerful aromas of grapefruit and other citrus; on the palate it invokes flavours of gooseberry, green apple and a hint of honey.
Bacchus is well suited to growing in cool climates. Enjoy sipping this fruity wine on a patio and pair it alongside a local chicken from McCormack Farm in Burton or a fillet of Kokanee caught on Arrow Lake.
Valley of the Springs 2018 Maréchal Foch 2018 ($25.00)
This vine is named after the French marshal Ferdinand Foch, who played an important role in the negotiation of the armistice terms during the closing of the First World War.
A deep, bold wine with strong aromas of buttery caramel, black cherry and vanilla. On the palate it has flavours of dark chocolate, coffee and a hint of smoke and oak on the finish. This wine is made from the oldest vines in the valley. The estate vines started from clippings from an old vineyard in Burton.
For the complete portfolio of Valley of the Springs wines please visit the winery website.
Future Plans
“We are a small family-owned craft winery, and we hope to make 1000 cases next year. Our son and his family have moved back to Nakusp and purchased acreage on the bench below our property. This spring we will be planting a vineyard there that focusses on Bacchus, Siegerrebe, and Ortega. We plan to continue supporting other Arrow Lakes Valley farmers in purchasing grapes from them in the future.
We are excited about the new wines that we are bottling this spring. The 2019 Rivaner, in particular, is an aromatic full-bodied white made of Muller Thurgau grapes harvested from the Whitecotton vineyard. Also new this year is a Rose´made from Pinot Noir grapes. The 2019 Vista is a co-ferment blend and proves to be just as special as the 2018 vintage which was the standout of our first vintage.”
Guest Suite & COVID-19 Update
“Our tasting room and guest suite were planned to open May 1, 2020. However, our opening will be delayed due to COVID-19. We are currently offering free shipping (4 bottle minimum) as well as donating a portion of our sales for personal protective equipment for front-line medical workers.
We hope that once it’s safe to travel again, that tourists will visit this little piece of paradise and Sip, Soak and Savour in the wild Kootenays. From our winery, you can hike to the hot springs, golf, discover waterfalls, visit a dozen mountain lakes, bike world-class trails, or just enjoy the slow pace of this lakeside mountain town.”
Note: All Photos and tasting notes are supplied by Valley of the Springs Winery.