Bernd and Stefanie Schales, the owners of 8th Generation Vineyard, bought an established 10-acre Okanagan Falls vineyard with a breathtaking view of Vaseux Lake in 2003. Subsequent purchases enabled them to increase their vineyards to 25 acres, including the Summerland vineyard and one on Naramata Bench.
The Vineyards
The 11-acre Okanagan Falls vineyard has Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Merlot planted. The soil is non-stratified, loamy sand, uniform in texture and well drained.
The 5-acre Naramata vineyard contains Pinot Meunier and Merlot. The soil is the Penticton silt loam which has a well-developed profile with distinct organic matter.
The Summerland/Trout Creek vineyard is 7-acres planted with Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah and Pinot Meunier. The whole Trout Creek area was developed through alluvial deposits from the higher mountains. All the fertile soil washed down and created this small land many years ago.
The Story of the Schales Family
It is the story of a love affair that began in 1783 when Christian Schales planted his first grapes in the small Rheinhessen Village of Dalsheim. Today, 8 generations later, the story continues in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Armed with generations of winemaking and grape growing experience behind them and his grandfather’s winepress, Bernd and Stefanie Schales left Germany in search of a new adventure and a new chapter for their next generation.
8th Generation Vineyard is well-known for its natural Rieslings, but I fell in love with their Chardonnay!
The Wines
8thGeneration Vineyard Chardonnay 2017
Wine Making
The grapes are from the Okanagan Falls vineyard. 80% of the juice ferments in French oak barrels, completes the Malolactic fermentation and ages on “sur lie” for another 5 months in the same barrique barrels to gain texture. The rest does the same in Stainless Steel tanks to keep the pure fruit intensity. Blended together in Spring and aged untill Fall, the result is a fruity, complex yet layered wine.
Tasting Notes
If you love buttery chards this one is for you. The nose has kiwi, ripe apple, pear and lemon. Flavours of apples, Anjou pear, tropical fruit and citrus with a buttery mouthfeel that keeps on giving. It belongs to the new Generation of Chardonnays and is a perfect example of a premium cold climate Chard. One majestic lightly oaked Chard. 92 Points
8th Generation Vineyard Riesling Selection 2018
WINEMAKING
For all Rieslings, the acidity level determines the picking date not the Brix level of the grapes. This is very important to create a lively and well-balanced Riesling. The fermentation is wild (no inoculated yeast) and temperature-controlled in stainless steel tanks. As the yeast is native from the vineyard it is not as strong as “packaged yeasts” and the fermentation is much slower. This Selection vintage is actually fermented till January. Which is scary, nerve-wracking and wonderful at the same time. Longer yeast contact excels in a richer deeply layered wine.
TASTING NOTES
Zesty refreshing, layered with apples, citrus and minerality. A soft and rich Riesling due to skin contact. Prepare yourself for a long finish, this is a serious Riesling with so much to offer. Open the bottle at least 3 hours prior to dinner or give it a short swirl in a decanter. It will reward you with an unobstructed Riesling experience.
8thGeneration Vineyard Pinot Meunier Rosé 2020
Winemaking
The grapes are from the Trout Creek vineyard. 24 hrs skin contact, gently pressed extracts to gain all the intense flavours. No blending, no bleeding, very simple straight forward winemaking!
Tasting Notes
Every red fruit is in this Rosé – raspberries, tart cherry, pink grapefruit, strawberries, watermelon, plum and cranberry come together to deliver the ultimate vibrant summer day patio sipper! 90 Points
For frizzante style Pinot Meunier Rosé please see our earlier post – MOCOJO Wines and Pinot Meunier
To buy Okanagan wines from 8thGeneration Vineyard, please visit the winery website.
Note: The original 2019 article was updated to include current vintages.