We spent a relaxing afternoon soaking in the rugged beauty of the Similkameen Valley, enjoying fresh organic food from Klippers Organic Acres and, most importantly, tasting Daniel Bontorin’s newest wines at Bottega Wine Studio.
Planning a stay in the Similkameen Valley? Be sure to explore our Best BC Winery Accommodations (2026 Guide): 30+ Vineyard Stays for some of the most scenic vineyard escapes in British Columbia. 🍷
The Bottega vineyard itself is still young, but already full of promise. Just under four acres of Garnacha Tinta (Grenache), Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir were planted in 2021 and are growing well in the rugged Similkameen landscape.
I’ve been fortunate to follow Daniel’s winemaking journey for years, dating back to 2018 when he was crafting wines at Volcanic Hills Estate Winery. His wines have always carried a sense of precision, texture, and restraint, but these new small-lot releases feel especially personal, handcrafted wines with a clear sense of place and direction.
Seven Directions Pinot Noir Rosé 2025 ($32)
Varietals
100% Pinot Noir
Winemaking
Sourced from vineyards across the Similkameen Valley as well as Bottega’s 3.5-acre Solum Rosa Estate Vineyard. Guided by a minimal-intervention philosophy, the fruit received 2 hours of skin contact before being gently pressed and cool-fermented, with 30% of the wine fermented in French Oak barrels. The wine was aged on its lees to preserve freshness and fruit purity, and to build additional texture and structure.
Technical
13.0% Alcohol
150 cases made by hand
Tasting Notes
A Provence-inspired Rosé “tour de force,” this beautifully crafted Pinot Noir Rosé shimmers with a delicate pale salmon hue. The aromatics are lifted and refined, unfolding with notes of orange blossom, rose petals, jasmine, and a subtle citrus perfume.
On the palate, vibrant layers of wild strawberry, pink grapefruit, and fresh orange zest glide across a creamy, textural mouthfeel. The finish is long, polished, and remarkably persistent, balancing freshness with an almost effortless elegance.
Beautifully poised and dangerously easy to drink, this is the kind of Rosé that turns one glass into an empty bottle before sunset. 93 Points 🍷
Stock up early; this wine has a habit of selling out quickly every year.
Bottega Viognier 2025 ($40)
Varietals
100% Viognier
Winemaking
This is the first Viognier Bottega has produced since 2017. A beautifully styled Viognier, handcrafted at every stage. Hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, and cool fermented with extended lees contact and monthly bâtonnage to build texture and complexity. The wine was produced from low-yielding vines grown in both the Similkameen Valley and the Okanagan Valley. Partially fermented in neutral barrels as well as stainless steel.
Technical
13.5% Alcohol
780 bottles produced
Tasting Notes
The aromatics rise beautifully from the glass with expressive notes of tangerine blossom, honeysuckle, ripe peach, and subtle exotic fruit. On the palate, this is a richly textured yet impeccably balanced Viognier, unfolding in layers of ripe apricot, mandarin orange, kiwi, and tropical fruit, accented by a delicate hazelnut nuance. Extended lees contact lends a luxurious, almost Chardonnay-like creaminess, while the rugged Similkameen terroir brings a streak of mineral tension through the finish. Fresh acidity and a gentle citrus-pith bitterness keep the wine vibrant, focused, and remarkably food-friendly. A polished and compelling expression of BC Viognier. 93 Points 🍑🍊
An ideal patio wine for summer and excellent paired with paella or BBQ chicken.
K Little Vintners™ – My Red 2022 ($28)
Varietals
64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Franc
The 2022 My Red blend grapes are from the Oliver Osoyoos area.
Technical
Alcohol 13.0% / pH 3.67 / TA 6.0 / RS 1.9 / 330 cases made
Tasting Notes
This elegant red blend opens with an earthy Old World nose reminiscent of a refined Italian red. Dark cherry, blackberry, and subtle savoury notes are framed by the soft texture of Merlot and fine-grained tannins. Layers of black fruit, dark chocolate, and a hint of mint carry through a polished, food-friendly finish. A short decant is recommended to soften the tannins further, though the wine should also reward up to five years of cellaring. 90 Points
K Little Vintners™ Cabernet Franc 2022 ($34)
Varietals
95% Cabernet Franc / 5% Merlot
Winemaking
The Cabernet Franc comes from three vineyards in the South Okanagan: Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard, Bordertown, and Franks Place. The latter two bring depth of darkness to the palate, while Fruitvale retains freshness and slightly grippy tannins. Each vineyard was fermented separately with cultured yeasts, hand punchdowns, and cooler ferments that were allowed to reach 32 °C to bring out all the colour available in the skins.
Technical
Alcohol 13.5% / pH 3.71 / TA 6.3 / RS 2.3 / 138 cases produced
The Cabernet Franc glows a deep ruby-red, exuding aromas of dark berries, leather, and a hint of spice. This medium-bodied wine offers vibrant red plum, cassis, and blueberry flavours, graphite, framed by silky, fine-grained tannins that lend structure and a lingering, elegant finish. 91 points.
Bottega Merlot 2023 ($54)
Varietals
92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc
Winemaking
The grapes are sourced from a small Osoyoos Vineyards. A classic Merlot crafted in the traditional style with meticulous hands-on winemaking throughout. Hand-picked fruit underwent extended maceration and basket pressing before aging 16 months in third-fill French oak. Unfined and lightly filtered.
Technical
13.5% Alcohol
Only 300 bottles were produced
Tasting Notes
A rich, polished Merlot that opens beautifully after a short decant. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice, and leather rise from the glass.
The palate is layered and savoury, revealing blackberry, black cherry, mocha, and dried herbs wrapped in a supple, creamy texture. Fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity bring definition and length, while a touch of Cabernet Franc acts as the backbone, adding freshness and tension to the Merlot’s generous fruit profile.
This handcrafted Merlot should continue to evolve gracefully over the next 5–10 years.
92+ Points
Bottega Cabernet Franc 2023 ($64)
Varietals
100% Cabernet Franc
Winemaking
Crafted in a traditional style from low-yielding South Okanagan vines. Hand-picked, hand-plunged, and basket pressed with extended maceration before aging 16 months in 60% new French oak. Unfined and lightly filtered.
Technical
14.5% Alcohol
1710 bottles produced
Tasting Notes
This small-lot Cabernet Franc leans toward an elegant Old World expression, opening with lifted aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, graphite, dried herbs, cedar, and subtle floral notes.
Medium-plus-bodied and beautifully composed, the palate unfolds in layered notes of red cherry, ripe raspberry, leather, and savoury spice, framed by polished tannins and a refined touch of vanilla through the lingering finish.
A short decant is recommended to allow the wine to fully open in its youth, though the structure and balance suggest it will reward patient cellaring over the next decade and beyond.
93+ Points 🍷
Here is the link to purchase Bottega and Seven Directions wines.
Conclusion
In many ways, Bottega Wine Studio feels like a glimpse into the future of premium BC wine: small-lot, site-driven, and deeply personal. Daniel Bontorin’s latest releases combine Old World restraint with the rugged energy of the Similkameen Valley, delivering wines with texture, balance, and authenticity rather than excess. From the Provence-inspired Pinot Noir Rosé to the age-worthy Cabernet Franc, these handcrafted wines showcase both precision winemaking and a growing confidence in BC’s ability to produce elegant, world-class wines with a true sense of place.
With production remaining extremely limited across many of these releases, Bottega Wine Studio is quietly becoming one of the most compelling small producers to watch in British Columbia.