River Stone Estate Winery is well-regarded for its Rosé wines, consistently earning high marks from critics and winning several awards. The 2022 Rosé, a Cabernet Franc and Syrah blend, has received praise for its elegant colour and flavours of strawberries, raspberries, and rose petals. It has been awarded silver medals at the All Canadian Wine Championship 2023, the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2023, and the SavorNW Wine Awards 2024.
Overall, River Stone’s Rosé wines are highly regarded for their quality and taste, making them a solid choice for Rosé enthusiasts.
Here is the background information and tasting notes for the six Rosés. These Rosés will be released to the public, both online and through the River Stone tasting room, on June 28th for International Rosé Day.
River Stone Rosé 2022 ($24.90)
“The grapes for our Rosé were hand picked, and destemmed and skins broken in the crusher. This year we pressed the Syrah immediately to limit colour extraction. Our Cabernet Franc had 4 hours skin contact time before pressing then combined with the Syrah juice prior to fermentation. The blend was 50/50. Then the clarified juice underwent a cool temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was further aged 3 months on the finer lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. After final blending with a small amount of Viognier, we fined, filtered, and bottled.”
Ted Kane, Winemaker
Alcohol 12.3% / pH 3.29 / RS 6.4
An elegant Provence-style Rosé with berry and floral aromas. Flavours of strawberries, raspberries and rose petals. It has a bright acidity and a delicate lasting finish. 91 Points
River Stone Cornerstone Rosé 2023 ($24.90)
Currently available to Set in Stone Club Members only.
“The Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, and Malbec were hand-picked, destemmed and processed together. The Corner Stone Rosé was made in a traditional style where we cold soak the grapes 24-48 hours then fully press. In doing so, we are extracting some of the rich color as well as some of the skin tannin which enhances the wines mouth feel. Then the clarified juice undergoes a temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks.
The wine is then aged three months on the fine lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. The 2023 vintage was then blended with 10% Pinot Gris and 5% White Merlot, fined, filtered and bottled. The result is a beautiful, vibrant, dark colored rosé.”
Ted Kane
Alcohol 13.1% / pH 3.42 / RS 7.8
Vibrant aromas of strawberry and rose petals. Flavours of pink grapefruit, watermelon, ripe rhubarb and citrus. Sparkling acidity balances a hint of sweetness with a juicy finish. 91 points.
River Stone Cabernet Franc Rosé ($24.90)
Currently available to Set in Stone Club Members only.
“The Cabernet Franc was hand-picked and destemmed. The Cab Franc Rosé was made in a traditional style, where we cold-soaked the grapes for 24 to 48 hours and then fully pressed them, separating the pulp from the juice. In doing so, we extract some rich colour and skin tannin, enhancing the wine mouth feel. Then, the clarified juice undergoes a cool, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is further aged for three months on the finer lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. The 2023 vintage was blended with 10% Pinot Gris, fined, filtered and bottled. The result is a beautiful, vibrantly coloured rosé.”
Ted Kane
Alcohol 13.5% / pH 3.38 / TA5.8 / RS 7
The Rosé has the lively aroma of ripe strawberries and rose petals that greet you on opening. A juicy fruit-forward palate of raspberry, strawberry and rhubarb pie makes for a food-friendly wine or a patio sipper. 91 Points
River Stone Malbec Rosé 2022 ($24.90)
The grapes for the Malbec Rosé were sourced from growers in the South Okanagan, including River Rock Vineyard. The Malbec was hand-picked and destemmed.
The Rosé is made in a traditional style. The grapes are cold-soaked for between 24 and 48 hours and then fully pressed, separating the pulp from the juice. This enhances the extraction, giving a rich, dark Malbec colour and some of the skin tannin, which enhances the wine’s mouthfeel. Then, the clarified juice undergoes cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks.
The wine is further aged for 3 months on the finer lees, where complexity and mouthfeel are developed. The 2022 vintage was then blended with 10% Pinot Gris and 5% white Merlot, back sweetened slightly, fined, filtered and bottled.
Alcohol 12.3% / pH 3.29 / TA 6.38/ RS 6.46
One of the few Rosé made from Malbec in the Okanagan, this wine has a gorgeous pink and orange colour. Aromas of strawberry, cherry and rose petals. Flavours of strawberry, pomegranate, and Key lime with savoury notes. A vibrant mouthfeel and long finish. 92 Points
Bronze Medal Winner, WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2023.
River Stone Sparkling Syrah Rosé ($27.90)
“The Syrah was hand-picked and destemmed. We made the Sparkling Syrah Rosé in a traditional style where we cold soaked the grapes for 24 and 48 hours and then fully pressed them, separating the pulp from the juice. In so doing we are extracting some of the rich colour as well as some of the skin tannin which enhances the wines mouth feel. Then the clarified juice undergoes a cool temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is further aged 3 months on the finer lees where complexity and mouth feel are developed. The 2023 vintage was then blended with 10% Pinot Gris and 5% White Merlot, fined and filtered. The carbonation was added just prior to bottling.”
Ted Kane
Alcohol 13.2% / pH 3.49 / RS 6
The wine brought back fond memories of the sparkling Shiraz I enjoyed in my youth Downunder. This wine has a beautiful deep rose colour with a fresh berry aroma. Flavours of red cherry, strawberry and raspberries. Fine carbonation bubbles provide a wonderful mouthfeel and lovely harmony to this wine, combining richness and freshness. 92 Points
River Stone Sparkling White Merlot 2023 ($27.90)
Currently available to Set in Stone Club Members only.
The grapes for the Sparkling White Merlot were grown on the estate River Rock Vineyard. The vines were in their 20th leaf when the fruit was harvested on September 13th and 14th.
The grapes were hand-picked, destemmed, and then transferred to the press, where the juice was separated from the skins, minimizing colour transfer. Following clarification, the juice was inoculated with a specific yeast and underwent a temperature-controlled fermentation. The wine is left to rest for several months on the finer lees, helping to develop mouthfeel and texture, after which the wine is fined and filtered. Then, carbonation is added just before bottling.
13.5% Alcohol / pH 3.31 / RS 7
The sparkling wine is a beautiful salmon colour. It has aromas of wild strawberries and rose petals. The medium-bodied sparkler has flavours of strawberry, raspberry, ripe peach, pink grapefruit, and a hint of mint. The carbonation bubbles stimulate a lively, pleasing mouthfeel with a crisp, lasting finish. 90 Points.
Here is the link to buy these elegant BC wines – River Stone Estate Winery
For information on previous River Stone vintages, see –River Stone Estate Winery releases 2023 Vintage and more and River Stone for Flavour Packed Wines.
Also, if you are visiting the Okanagan, please consider staying at the River Stone Cottage.