On our last drive through Summerland, you couldn’t miss the sign for case lot deals being offered by Back Door Winery. You know I love good-value BC wines, so here they are!
The Back Door Story
Before Pieter Smits purchased the Summerland property, it had sat abandoned for 7 years. Tragically, there had been no water, no pruning, nothing except neglected grapevines and lots of potential.
Pieter was out on a trip from Edmonton to visit his parents, who also happen to own Sonoran Estate Winery in Summerland. After walking the land during that visit, he fell in love with the property and decided to purchase it. Friends and family were hesitant due to the state of the land and buildings. More than once Pieter heard “What are you thinking? The only good thing about that place is the back door”.
Even the house was a mess when he started working on it. It had been built during the depression, and with no prior renovations, he quickly learned the truth in what was being said. The only thing good about that place may have been the back door! At one point, while Pieter was levelling out the house, a great pile of sawdust came crashing down on him from the ceiling. So much so, that he literally had to shovel out by hand. Amidst the chaos of the renovation, Pieter started to question his sanity. It seemed he could not keep track of his drill bits, nails, screws, and at one point… his keys. A tragic tale indeed.
That same day, he ended up discovering a hole in the far corner of the house. Hidden within the wall was a crow’s nest, and amongst the bottle caps and bits of tin sat Pieter’s keys.
With great care, Pieter carefully moved the crow’s nest to the back of the vineyard, though he expected her to take off and never be heard from again. Having a mind of her own, the crow decided she would not leave the property. She still taunts and mocks Pieter to this day, and we think she is waiting for the perfect moment to steal back the keys to her back door.
“We love the story of how Back door Winery came to be. Now, we even hang a “back door” in our tasting room as homage to that history, and to remind all of us to look beyond the apparent in order to reveal true value. So come by for a visit, and sign our back door.”
Pieter Smits – Owner, Back Door Winery
The Wines
Giggle Juice White Sparkling Wine ($7.99 per can)
Giggle Juice is a lovely everyday sipper. With a lovely floral nose and delicate flavour of fresh peach and apricots on the palate.
Back Door Chardonnay 2020 ($21.49)
The unoaked light-bodied Chard jumps right out of the orchard and into your glass. Bursting with a cornucopia of flavours; pineapple and nectarines up front and finishing with the soft familiar taste of apricot.
Back Door Viognier 2020 ($27.99)
The voices of the past softly ring out with a rich burst of fruit on the nose as the strong presence of peaches lingers on the palate. Pair with fish and other fruits of the sea while you celebrate the fruits of the Okanagan with our wine.
Back Door Bootlegger Merlot 2019 ($39.99)
Stewed fruit, ripe blackberries, currants and black cherry. Aged 28 months in French Oak with a medium toast, which yields integrated tannins with vanilla and star anise.
Please visit the Back Door Winery website to see the complete portfolio of their good value British Columbia wines
Note: The winery story and BC wine tasting notes were supplied by Back Door Winery.