Bert Evertt has had his sights on the BC wine industry for decades. In his youth, as an accomplished opera singer, Bert was afforded the opportunity to travel across Europe, where he developed an appreciation for fine wine. Over the last 40 years, his focus has been on providing the highest level of care at retirement homes throughout British Columbia’s Lower Mainland.
During summer vacations in Osoyoos with his wife and three children, Bert slowly began to search for vineyards that represented the best of the Okanagan Valley. After extensively evaluating with consulting winemaker and viticulturist Pascal Madevon, Bert purchased 20 acres on the Black Sage Bench and Uppercase Winery was born.
The name “Uppercase” is reflective of the desire to create BOLD wines that are expressive of their terroir, much like different fonts and types are used to create different expressions in the written language.
The Vineyards
Uppercase Vineyard
The home vineyard on the Black Sage Bench is 14.2 acres on a gentle westward slope, capturing the intense afternoon sun and making it ideally suited to Bordeaux reds. Grapes planted include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec Pinot Noir and Petit Verdot.
Millar Road Vineyard
Established in 2005, Miller Road Vineyard is 9 acres on the lower terrace of the Black Sage Bench below Black Sage Road. Grapes planted include Riesling and Merlot.
Border Vineyard
Located just 300 metres from the US border, Border Vineyard was established in 2009 on the Osoyoos West Bench overlooking Osoyoos Lake. 9 acres are planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
The Wines
Uppercase Chardonnay 2021 ($24.99)
This crisp, balanced Chardonnay was aged in stainless steel, including an ‘egginox’, to illuminate the purity and brightness of the Okanagan and Similkameen fruit.
The richness and opulent ripeness of the Border Vineyard, 300 metres from the US border on the Osoyoos West Bench, is complemented by stony, gravel-strewn vineyards in the Similkameen and North Bench Oliver.
60% Border Vineyard – Osoyoos / 32% Tuc-el-Nuit Vineyard – North Bench Oliver / 8% Liber Farms Vineyard – Similkameen Valley
Alcohol: 13.5% / pH 3.4 / TA 5.88 g/L / RS .37 g/L
A vibrant fruity Chardonnay that opens with aromas of lemon zest and green apple. Flavours of Meyer lemon, ripe apple, and apricot. A smooth creamy mouthfeel with a salty mineral finish. 90 points.
Uppercase Pinot Gris 2021 ($24.99)
The Pinot Gris gets its exceptional balance by blending early-picked fruit from the Border Vineyard (60%), with a cooler terroir in Summerland (40%)that overlooks Okanagan Lake.
Partial barrel fermentation in neutral French oak barriques (16%)adds richness and texture to the Pinot Gris, without taking away from the crisp, refreshing character of the fruit.
Alcohol: 13.0% / pH 3.37 / TA 5.235 g/L / RS .06 g/L
Gentle floral aromatics of tropical fruit and honey. An elegant, textured Pinot Gris with flavours of Anjou pear, ripe apple, pineapple and honeydew melon with a hint of minerality. The perfect patio sipper. 91 Points
Uppercase Rosé 2021($24.99)
A block of Merlot at the Border Vineyard was purposefully farmed for this rosé. Picked early to retain freshness, the fruit was only gently pressed at harvest, with no skin contact or saignée.
Alcohol: 13.4% / pH 3.48 / TA 5.5 g/L / RS .8 g/L
A light, refreshing and bone-dry Rosé that opens with a floral bouquet. Flavours of wild strawberry, apricot, watermelon and pink grapefruit with a hint of minerality on the finish. 91 Points
Uppercase Malbec 2020 ($34.99)
The Malbec is sourced from two rocky, gravel-strewn vineyards in the Golden Mile Bench and Similkameen. Stainless steel fermentation followed by 16 months in French oak barriques (30% new).
Alcohol: 13.7% / pH 3.5 / TA 5.8 g/L / RS .2 g/L
This dark, inky Malbec has the aromas of black fruit and baking spice. On the palate, this full-bodied wine offers ripe tannins with generous cherry, plum, raisin, and dark chocolate notes. 91 points
Uppercase Cabernet Franc 2020 ($34.99)
This single-vineyard Cabernet Franc captures the ripeness of the South Okanagan while retaining the freshness and elegant aromatics traditional to the grape variety.
The Cabernet Franc comes from a sun-drenched vineyard in Osoyoos. Meticulously managed and hand-harvested, the fruit was naturally balanced coming into the winery with exceptional ripeness. Wooden tank fermentation and aged for 16 months in French Oak (30% new). Seven barrels that showed exceptional varietal character were selected for the final blend.
Alcohol: 13.2% / pH 3.46 / TA 5.9 g/L / RS .6 g/L
A bright old-world style cabernet with restrained elegance and power. Aromas of rich dark plum, black cherry, and baking spice. Flavours of cherry, raspberry, and milk chocolate with a mineral backbone. Low acidity and smooth tannins. 91 Points
Bronze medal winner at the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.
Uppercase Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 ($39.99)
From the warm, stony vineyards of the Similkameen and Golden Mile Slopes, this powerful Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the exceptional quality of the 2020 vintage.
Low yields resulted in intensely concentrated, powerful fruit that was carefully managed in the winery, with extended maceration on the skins resulting in a densely structured wine with rounded tannins. Stainless steel fermentation and aged for 16 months in French Oak (30% new).
Alcohol: 13.8% / pH 3.62 / TA 5.8 g/L / RS .4 g/L
The nose is rich cassis fruit with a stony savoury undercurrent and a hint of spice and tobacco. Flavours of toasted oak and black cherry, dark plum, blackberries, black olive and sage. Will age well. 90 points
Here is the link to purchase these premium BC wines from Uppercase Winery