The Terralux Estate Winery is a new West Kelowna facility to open this summer. Terralux will showcase a bright and vibrant architecture with a taste for quality Okanagan wines crafted by three Masters of Wine – James Cluer, Marcus Ansems and Geoffery Moss.
The winery is privately owned and part of a larger plan. With the help of these three MW’s he has identified three vineyard sites within BC to source the wine portfolio, West Kelowna, Okanagan Falls, and Similkameen Valley.
The owner’s background is in construction, so his attention to detail on the build in West Kelowna is heavily focused on efficiencies, flow, and visual appeal.
The main floor will house the restaurant and pays tribute to the ‘lux’ in the name Terralux. With floor-to-ceiling windows which open up onto the patio. Views overlooking Okanagan Lake and Okanagan Mountain Park with great morning light flooding into the winery.
The lower level is the location of the tasting room and retail area. The décor here includes concrete, stone features and dark accents playing into the ‘terra’ part of the name. Hospitality experience is really an emphasis for the company with the winery hosting a private tasting room, two tasting pods that suspend over the gravity-fed production area, and a catwalk along the perimeter of the production area.
The Vineyards
The Home Vineyard
The Home Vineyard is located in West Kelowna. With growing conditions similar to Burgundy, it produces mineral-driven, elegant Chardonnays, benefiting from radiant morning sunlight while being protected from the hot afternoon sun by Mount Boucherie, an ancient volcano.
Chapman Vineyard
Chapman Vineyard is located in the Okanagan Falls, the dividing point between the north and south Okanagan. Here, the valley narrows and creates a bottleneck that funnels strong cooling winds that moderate summer temperatures. This is a terroir perfect for producing vibrant, exceptional sparkling wines. For the notes on a Rosé from this vineyard see – S’Milka Vista for Sparkling Rosé.
S’milka Vista Vineyard
Just south-east of Oliver lies the rugged Similkameen Valley. The S’milka Vista Vineyard thrives here. With a west-facing aspect, it benefits from optimal sunlight exposure with intense winds to moderate temperate in the hottest months. The soils are incredibly complex, with a lot more to learn and discover.
Terralux Meritage 2018 ($35)
The Meritage is a classic blend of Okanagan Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a touch of Malbec that has developed beautifully in the bottle.
The wine has a luscious aroma of redcurrant and ripe blackberry with a hint of cocoa and tobacco. The Meritage has flavours of red cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, tobacco and leather. This is a medium-bodied red blend with a lush texture and fine-grained tannins. 91 Points.
Pair with a juicy beef burger for a well-seasoned flank steak.
To purchase this premium Meritage please visit the Terralux Estate Winery Website.