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Background

Steven and Nicole French, the husband-and-wife team behind  Little Engine Wines, had the vision to produce a collection of wines that would appeal to both wine enthusiasts and the most seasoned professionals.

Why is the winery called Little Engine? A nod to the classic story “The Little Engine That Could”, one of my grandson’s favourite bedtime stories. The winery’s labels, crafted in consultation with Vancouver designer Bernie Hadley-Beauregard, convey the intent to reach high.  Each label has a ladder reaching for a stylized moon.

Chardonnay dominates the six-acre vineyard beside the new winery. That varietal also grows in an eight-acre vineyard nearby that includes Pinot Noir and Merlot. Purchased Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon will eventually round out their BC wine portfolio.  They opened their Naramata Road tasting room in the summer of 2015 with an annual production of about 2,500 cases.  The winery now produces close to 6,000 cases. Their preferred sales channel is via the cellar door and their wine club.

“We won’t compromise anything. Perfectionism has its price. Little Engine wines are expensive, reflecting the cost of keeping yields very low to produce intensely flavoured wines. The big and bold house style, especially with the red wines, has found such a strong following that many are sold out by the end of the season.“

Steven French

Winemaker

Scott Robinson fell in love with the idea of winemaking while on a trip to Australia and upon his return to Canada he studied winemaking and spent 3 vintages at Township 7 Winery. Then it was back to Australia to get his Winemaking Masters Degree at the University of Adelaide, known by Aussies as the City of Churches, before coming home in 2009 to make wine at La Frenz.  After leaving there in 2012 he did a stint with a start-up winery before joining the team at Little Engine in 2015.

Viticulturist

Matt Rademakers is the type of person who thrives in an outdoor environment. His viticulture career began in 2003 in Wanaka, New Zealand. Arriving in Canada the following year he worked throughout the Okanagan and Vancouver Island before calling the Naramata Bench his home.

While completing the Viticulture program at the Okanagan College he quickly worked his way up to Vineyard Manager managing vineyards in excess of 135 acres. His drive to manage a small vineyard dedicated to employing the right practices is what drew Matt to Little Engine.

Matt’s philosophy is consistent: no matter the size, all vineyards require understanding, and dedication to produce wine of exceptional quality.

Wines

Little Engine Gold Chardonnay 2016

Beautiful full-bodied palate with lifted notes of orchard fruit especially of white peach and nectarines, sprinkled with fresh lemon balm. A refreshing backbone of acidity seamlessly surrenders to a creamy, tenacious finish with a perfect touch of beeswax.

The wine scored 92 Points at Decanter World Wine Awards 2019.

Little Engine Gold Chardonnay 2018 ($57)

Barrel ageing is 16 months. Barrels are stirred regularly to build a full and creamy texture. The final blend is composed of 48% new French oak barriques and puncheons with the balance in 2nd and 3rd fill barrels and provide a layered and complex Chardonnay.

Aromas of melon, preserved lemon, honeycomb, peach & orchard flowers, and brioche. The palate is full, round and creamy while at the same time, crisp and focused. Pear, lemon curd, with subtle hints of butterscotch and crème brûlée. Vibrant while rich; well balanced with acidity which is characteristic to our estate, leading to a bright, lifted and lasting finish.

2021 WineAlign National Wine Awards Silver Medal Winner.

Little Engine Gold Merlot 2019 ($62)

A concentrated nose draws you in with notes of licorice, macerated cherries, blueberry, tobacco leaves and cedar layered with a slight herbal accent. This full-bodied wine offers a depth of flavours of tart cherries, plums and sassafras and with juicy, mouth-coating tannins. Elegant and well-structured, the complex finish is long and pronounced. 

Enjoy now through 2028 under ideal cellaring conditions.

For the complete portfolio of Little Engine Wines please visit the winery website.

Source: Background and tasting notes from the Little Engine Wines website.

Note: The original 2016 blog was updated to include current releases.