S’Milka Vista Vineyards is a new winery located in South Cawston at 1002 BC-3. The wine shop includes a lovely little patio that overlooks the valley and Similkameen River. About 1500 cases are produced under the S’milka Vista label.
The Vineyard
There are 80 acres of vineyard planted in Viognier, Syrah, and the red Bordeaux grape varieties. The soil is primarily volcanic with granite deposits and the property sits between 386 and 430 meters. The vineyard benefits from the west-facing aspect, which maximizes sunlight exposure while intense winds cool the vineyard during the hottest months of the year.
“When we first walked the S’milka Vista property, we immediately knew we had found something special. The vineyard is exceptionally rocky with complex, varied soils that are derived from limestone, granite, schist, and volcanic influences. It’s difficult to imagine anything else growing here other than grapes and sagebrush. It sits on a mountainside that faces almost due west, perfectly capturing the radiant heat and sunshine of the valley’s long summer days. The intense winds that rush through the valley help to keep the fruit pristine, allowing minimal inputs in the vineyard. The result: flawlessly ripe fruit at harvest that has a saline quality characteristic to the Similkameen Valley.”
The Sparkling Rosé Winemaker
Marcus Ansems MW is an Australian-born winemaker who fell in love with wine as a young boy helping with vintage in his native home. He graduated from Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology major) in 1997. He has worked over 30 vintages around the world making wine in Europe, South Africa, Australia and Canada. Marcus has many years of experience as a partner, general manager and chief winemaker at multiple wineries, and has also been directly involved in setting up six new winery/vineyard projects. He is now based in Canada and for the last seven years has travelled to over 20 countries working as an international wine buyer and winemaking/vineyard consultant. In 2013 he and his wife Rachel set up a small organic-focused winery (Daydreamer Wines) in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia.
S’Milka Vista Sparkling Rosé
The rosé is based on the exceptional 2020 vintage. The grapes for the sparkling Rosé came from the 30-acre Chapman Vineyard located in Okanagan Falls. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are planted and the soils are a combination of gravel, clay and sandy loam.
The Rosé is 70% Pinot Gris / 30% Pinot Noir.
12.5% Alcohol / pH 3.15 / TA 7.7 / RS 4.2 / Free SO2 5 ppm / Total SO2 38 ppm
A fruit-forward sparkling rosé with plenty of bubbles made by the tank method like Prosecco. Light aromas of strawberries and flavours of strawberry, ripe peach and rhubarb with a rich mouthfeel. The sparkler has excellent mousse and depth of flavour. 90 Points.
To purchase this premium Sparkling Rosé please visit the S’Milka Vista Vineyards website.