Church & State Winery is renowned for its sparkling and Rhône Valley-style wines due to a combination of strategic focus, terroir, and winemaking expertise, as outlined below:
- Terroir-Driven Viticulture: Church & State operates two distinct vineyard properties in British Columbia: one in Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island and another in the Okanagan Valley’s Oliver-Osoyoos corridor. The cooler climate of Vancouver Island is ideal for growing grapes like Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Muscat, which are well-suited for producing high-quality sparkling wines using traditional methods. The Okanagan’s Coyote Bowl Vineyard, with its gravelly soils and long growing season, mirrors the terroir of France’s Rhône Valley, making it perfect for Rhône varietals like Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. The winery emphasizes terroir to craft wines that reflect the unique characteristics of these regions.
- Sparkling Wine Expertise: Since 2018, Church & State has prioritized sparkling wine production, particularly at its Vancouver Island winery, under the guidance of winemaker Arnaud Thierry, who studied winemaking in Champagne, France. Thierry’s expertise in cool-climate viticulture and traditional méthode champenoise (hand-riddling, aging on lees for 15 months to several years, and disgorgement) has elevated their sparkling wines, such as Sparkling Pinot Gris and Sparkling Pinot Noir, which are among their best sellers. This focus has earned them a reputation as a leader in British Columbia’s sparkling wine movement.
- Rhône Valley Inspiration: The winery has deliberately focused on Rhône Valley-style wines, particularly at its Okanagan vineyard, where the warm climate and gravelly soils of the Coyote Bowl are ideal for grapes like Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. Their Rhône-inspired blends, such as TreBella (a white blend of Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier), showcase the winery’s commitment to these varietals. The winery’s success with these wines, including high ratings (e.g., Marsanne 2017 rated highly for its bold aromatics and silky texture), has solidified their reputation in this style.
- Winemaking Leadership and Innovation: Arnaud Thierry, who joined in 2017, brought experience from Bordeaux and Champagne, enhancing both sparkling and Rhône-style wine production. His meticulous approach, combined with the winery’s investment in its own bottling equipment for sparkling wines, has allowed for greater quality control and innovation. The winery’s Rhône-style wines, like their Syrah and TreBella, consistently receive high praise and awards, contributing to their prominence.
- Award-Winning Portfolio: Church & State’s sparkling and Rhône-style wines have garnered national and international accolades, including recognition as Canada’s Best Red Wine five times since 2009 and 90+ point scores in trade publications. Their Sparkling Pinot Gris and Rhône varietals like Marsanne and Roussanne are frequently highlighted for their quality, reinforcing their reputation in these categories.
In summary, Church & State’s focus on leveraging their unique terroirs, combined with expert winemaking and a strategic emphasis on sparkling and Rhône-style wines, has made them a standout producer in British Columbia’s wine industry. Their commitment to quality and innovation continues to drive their success in these styles.
Next are the tasting notes for three excellent sparkling wines.
Church and State Blanc de Gris 2020
The Pinot Gris grapes are from the Brentwood Bay estate and were fermented on lees for at least 12 months using the traditional method.
Alcohol: 11.6% / TA 8.1 g/L / RS 5.6 g/L
The Blanc de Gris sparkling wine shimmers with a pale straw hue, accented by subtle green glints. Its delicate bouquet unfolds with enticing notes of Anjou pear, crisp apple, and fragrant white blossoms. This sparkler boasts a refined mousse, delivering vibrant orchard fruit flavours with impressive depth and elegance. 92 Points
Church and State Blanc de Blancs 2018
This is the first vintage of our traditional method, Brut Nature Chardonnay. Blanc de Blancs spends 30 months on the lees at the sparkling wine house in Brentwood Bay. The fruit for this wine comes from our Détente vineyard on the Black Sage Bench. A terroir that ripens Chardonnay perfectly for this method of wine making.
Alcohol: 12.5% / TA 7.2 / RS 5.0
The ideal summer apéritif. This sparkling wine shimmers with a pale straw hue and delicate green tinges. Its bouquet unfolds with vibrant citrus zest and fragrant white orchard blossoms. The palate is enveloped in a luxurious, creamy texture, carried by a cascade of delicate, persistent bubbles. Flavours of crisp ripe apples and bright Meyer lemon linger elegantly. 92 points
Church and State Gris de Noir 2021
This is the third vintage of the sparkling Rosé made by Church and State. The first vintage was so flavour-rich that we ordered a case! The Pinot Noir grapes were sourced from the four-hectare estate, Brentwood Bay vineyard, on Vancouver Island.
Alcohol: 11.5% / TA 7.1 g/L / RS 4.8 g/L
The Pinot Noir grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged in bottles after the second fermentation for at least 12 months.
Radiant with a delicate, pale salmon blush, this wine captivates the senses! Bursting with lively aromas of fresh-picked strawberries, fragrant rose petals, and a whisper of toasted hazelnut. On the palate, it dances with juicy, ripe peach, flirtatious hints of strawberry, and a touch of bold blackberry. Its creamy, effervescent mousse texture is a thrilling delight, perfectly balanced with a crisp, refreshing finish. 93 Points
To purchase from the complete portfolio of Church & State wines, please visit the winery website.
For more information on Church and State’s Rhône Valley-style wines, see – Church & State Rhône Rangers & More