Lightning Rock Winery is a family business located in Summerland. The spark behind Lightning Rock comes from Jordan Kubek and Tyler Knight. They have been making wine in Summerland since 2011. Jordan has a certificate in winemaking from Washington State University and is fuelled by her passion – making electric, terroir-driven sparkling wine.
Jordan and Tyler spent their Canadian winters working harvests in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Chile. Back at their home base in Summerland, they both worked at Okanagan Crush Pad where Jordan was the sparkling winemaker for 7 years.
Tyler has an education in biology and etymology from UBC Okanagan and is a true winegrower. He farms the vineyards and works with Jordan to create electric wines.
About 50% of Lightning Rock’s production is sparkling wines using mostly traditional methods. Summerland is an ideal place to make sparkling wines.
The winery started in 2017 with the purchase of Elysia vineyard and produced about 1,000 cases that year. In 2018 they purchased the Canyonview vineyard. One of the most storied vineyards in Summerland was Krimo Souilah’s Canyonview Vineyard, the home of 4 acres of exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Krimo was barrel salesman and a former French and Napa winemaker when he bought the property in 2004 with a winery in mind.
The total winery production now is about 2,400 cases.
The Three Vineyards
Elysia Vineyard
Home to the winery, this vineyard was planted in 2006 with Pinot Noir, Viognier and Syrah. It overlooks Okanagan Lake to the east and gets the early and midday sun. Between the very steep slope and a mix of decomposed granite, alluvial soil and limestone, this is an ideal place for vines.
Because it is basically a giant granite hill, it heats up and holds heat very well, acting as a thermal for many birds of prey. On any given day you can see the red-tailed hawks, rocky mountain bluebirds, robins, falcons, vultures, eagles and even a Kestral.
The vineyard is east facing and is a little North in the valley so has its own little microclimate and there is always wind! All organic farming and low intervention result in super health fruit and natural fermentation. There are no additions made to the wines except a small amount of sulphur at bottling. All the wines are unfined and unfiltered.
Canyonview Vineyard
Planted in 2003 on the precipice of the Trout Creek Canyon, this vineyard has been immaculately cared for by vineyard manager Garth Purdy from day one, and he continues to do so to this day. This south-facing vineyard has sandy soil that is dotted with river stones, producing spectacular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from two large terraces.
St. Katharina’s Vineyard
Planted in 1968, this was one of the first vineyards planted with Pinot Noir in Summerland and the Valley. Located on a south-east facing terraced slope, this vineyard lay untended for over seven years. Through minimal pruning and lots of love, we have brought it back into very small production. This wild place only receives two deep watering’s a year, and the plants resemble small trees that have come into their natural balance. Truly a one of a kind with so much history we are obsessed with this stunning place.
The Wines
Lightning Rock Elysia Blanc de Noir 2018 ($35)
One of two traditional method, single-vineyard, Blanc de Noirs released in 2018 by Lightening Rock.
Aromas of lemon candy, ginger, passionfruit and brioche. The palate has high acid, medium body, bone dry with beautiful fine bubbles. The acid level shines through in this sparkler. Notes of ripe apple, caramel, grapefruit pith with a hint of bitterness on the finish. 93 Points
Lightning Rock Viognier 2018 ($25)
One of the last grapes to be picked. Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks. Aged on lees for 6 months. This is a low alcohol cool-climate Viognier without the oily, textured mouthfeel and low acid of Viognier grown in hotter climates. A beautifully light and refreshing drink with orange blossoms, apricot and honeyed brie with a smooth limey acidity and a hint of salt. 89 Point
Lightning Rock Rosé 2018 ($25)
Carbonically macerated for three days before continuing a native ferment in neutral oak puncheons. Wild fermented with extended lees ageing. The Rosé is unfined and unfiltered.
The Rosé was inspired by the wines of Tavel in the South of France. If Provence rosé is spring, Tavel is autumn, even winter—a pink-hued wine for fireside (not seaside). The process kicks off with maceration of the grape skins with pulp, which draws out pigments and flavorful compounds.<1>
This Rosé is so dense in colour, on first glance I thought it was a chilled Pinot Noir red. The palate has medium-plus acid, medium body, a bit of tannin. Tart berries, orange zest, spice, and minerals. Food friendly especially with chicken, duck or lamb. 90 Points
Lightning Rock Elysia Pinot Noir 2017 ($35)
Alcohol: 12.0%. An experiment between three tanks of varying whole cluster percentages (25%-75%). Spontaneous fermentation lightly pumped over and then pressed after 21 days on skins to neutral oak puncheons. On lees for 8 months. Unfined and unfiltered.
The colour is pale crimson. A floral aroma plus cherries and raspberries. Flavours of blackberries, red cherries, leather, mushroom and forest floor with a hint of pepper on the finish. A light to medium-bodied Pinot with medium to low tannins. 92 Points.
Lightning Rock Elysia Pinot Noir 2018 ($35)
Fermented in three tanks with different percentages of the whole cluster, fermented spontaneously, pressed to neutral oak of varying sizes.
Alcohol 13% | pH3.55 |TA 5.5 gm/L|RS 0.2 gm/L
This ripe pinot has aromas of cherries and forest floor. Flavours of plum and red cherry. Very earthy and brambly. This is an elegant Burgundy-style pinot that is more delicate than the Canyonview pinots. 91 Points
Lightning Rock Canyonview Pinot Noir 2018 ($35)
Vinification: An experiment between three tanks of varying whole cluster percentages (25%-75%). Spontaneous fermentation lightly pumped over and then pressed after 21 days on skins to neutral oak puncheons. On lees for 8 months.
Alcohol 12.8% | pH3.6 |TA 5.3 gm/L|RS 0.5 gm/L
A little bit tight at the moment but opens up beautifully in the glass to show rose petals and delicate cherries. Flavours of sour cherry, raspberry, minty fresh and flinty with super fine tannins rounds out the palate. Recommend decanting, this will age beautifully. 92 Points
2020 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards Silver medal winner.
For the complete portfolio of Lightning Rock winery Bc wine please visit the winery website.
Harvest 2020
2020 got off to a slow start in the Spring with a very wet June but we had a nice, long summer that didn’t get too hot. Which is perfect for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We are extremely happy with the fruit this year.
Jordan Kubec – Winemaker
References
- Tavel: The Fourth Wine by Meg Maker.