“From Cellars to Classics” was the second Okanagan Wine Festivals Society (OWFS) event we have attended this year. It was great to see the support for both the BC wine industry and Classic Music from over 200 Okanagan Valley enthusiasts. The last wine event we attended at the Laurel Heritage Packinghouse was 2015 Garagiste North when we first arrived in Kelowna.
The new OWFS Signature Event was a partnership with Okanagan ChamberFest. This event confirmed the perfect synergy of wine and music.
The event featured premium wines from:
- Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery
- Summerhill Pyramid Winery
- Evolve Cellars
- TIME Family of Wines
- Phantom Creek Estates
- River Stone Estate Winery
- Frind Estate Winery
- Play Estate Winery
- Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards
The Music
The incredible concert for piano and strings was coordinated by Celloists Cameron Crozman and Nicholas Denton Protsack and was performed by some of Canada’s best classical musicians. The other members of the music ensemble were Philip Chiu (piano), Keith Hamm (viola), Meagan Milatz (piano), Boson Mo (violin) and Alicia Venables (violin).
The event was also attended by composer Imant Raminsh, who recently received the Order of Canada that was awarded in December 2018.
The classical music included works by Franz Schubert, Imant Ramish, Johannes Brahms, John Luther Adams, Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Robert Schumann.
The Wines
Here are the tasting notes for a few of the wines we were able to sample during the evening. The hors d’oeuvres provided by Bonne Bouche during the reception were exceptional.
River Stone Malbec 2020
This medium-bodied red wine is a beautiful inky dark violet colour and has bold ripe fruit flavours. Blackberry, cherry, raspberry and pomegranate with hints of spices including cinnamon and cloves, tobacco and nuances of French oak.
This wine has a medium acidity that is balanced and mouthwatering creating a freshness on the palate. Tannins are moderate and will soften with time.
This is a terrific example of Okanagan Malbec.
Frind Sparkling Brut
This is a unique and interesting blending of Riesling and Chardonnay. Once poured, the fine bubbles swirl slowly to the top of the glass. Aromas of green apples, key lime, and honeydew melon. Pale yellow colour with flavours of lemon and lime and fresh Okanagan stone fruit. The dry sparkling wine beautiful pairs well with a variety of foods or by the glass!
Phantom Creek Estate Petite Cuvée
The Estate Petite Cuvée comes from two Estate vineyards: Becker vineyard on the Black Sage bench and Kobau vineyard on the Golden Mile bench. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and merlot.
The wine is vibrant and juicy with aromas of blackberries, red plums, dark chocolate and dark spices. On the palate, there is a core of ripe black fruit with plum and a hint of desert sage. Fine-grain tannins carry through an impressively long and fresh finish.
Evolve Rosé
The intermission passed quickly while sipping this wonderful Rosé.
A beautiful blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Merlot. Made in the Saignée method where the juice is drained from a tank of red wine during the cold soak or early fermentation. This was drained during early fermentation from Merlot and
Syrah grapes and then fermented in stainless steel. Finished off-dry.
Alcohol 12% | TA 7.8 | pH 3.18 | RS 9
Juicy, fruity, and refreshing. A beautiful pale salmon colour. On the nose, white peach with floral notes. Flavours of watermelon, strawberry and pink grapefruit.
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards Brut
66% Chardonnay / 26% Pinot Noir/ 6% Pinot Blanc / 2% Pinot Meunier.
Essentially dry, Fitz Brut is the winery’s signature bubbly that is adjusted yearly to reflect “the vintage, the people and the site.”
The bubbly opens with lemon, green apple and toasted bread on the nose. The palate is marzipan, creamy peach and pear with a vibrant finish. Fitz Brut spends a minimum of 24 months on its lees.
Event Sponsors
A special thank you to the event sponsors – Gallery421, Motor Werke and Jurome Real Estate Group.
Future OWFS Events
The next OWFS events planned are the BC Wine & Food Truck Feasts (Aug 6th in Kelowna, Aug 13th in Penticton).
The OWFS produces four seasonal wine festivals in the Okanagan Valley annually. If you like the look of this event, go to www.thewinefestivals.com to learn more about their upcoming festivals and events.