When the devastating winter freeze wiped out much of British Columbia’s 2024 grape crop, wineries across the province faced difficult decisions. Rather than sit out a vintage or compromise on quality, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery chose a different path.
For winemaker Jeff Del Nin, that meant getting behind the wheel.
Over several weeks, Del Nin drove thousands of kilometres through Washington State, visiting vineyards across some of the region’s most respected appellations. He had one simple rule: if he couldn’t taste wines already produced from a vineyard, he wouldn’t buy the fruit. Every vineyard had to prove it could produce wines worthy of the Quails’ Gate name.
One stop, however, was already circled on his map.
Seventeen years earlier, Del Nin had made Cabernet Sauvignon from Sagemoor Block at Weinbau Vineyard in Washington’s Wahluke Slope AVA. The wine had left such an impression that he gave the vineyard owner a bottle. Remarkably, that bottle was still resting in the owner’s cellar nearly two decades later.
After opening it together, Del Nin was granted access to several of the estate’s prized vineyard blocks, many of which were planted in the 1970s and 1980s. From there, he remained directly involved throughout the growing season, returning for harvest to determine the optimal picking dates before the grapes were transported north to West Kelowna and vinified at Quails’ Gate. Although the grapes were grown in Washington State, every wine was crafted, aged and bottled at Quails’ Gate in West Kelowna under the direction of Jeff Del Nin and his winemaking team.
The result is PLUME, a new collection inspired by the quail’s distinctive plume, symbolizing curiosity, exploration and discovery. While the fruit may come from Washington, the wines remain unmistakably Quails’ Gate, crafted with the same attention to detail that has earned the winery one of Canada’s strongest reputations for premium winemaking.
2024 PLUME Cabernet Franc (Winery Direct | $45)
Vineyard & Winemaking
Fruit was sourced from historic vineyards overlooking the Columbia River, where warm days, cool evening breezes and diverse sedimentary, volcanic and alluvial soils create ideal conditions for slow, even ripening. Hand-picked fruit was transported under refrigerated conditions to Quails’ Gate, fermented on its skins in stainless steel for 10–12 days and matured for 16 months in 40% new French oak and 60% neutral French oak.
Tech Specs: Alc. 14.0% | pH 3.63 | TA 6.12 g/L | RS 1.1 g/L
Tasting Notes
Expressive aromas of black cherry, raspberry and violet open to a beautifully balanced palate of ripe red berries, savoury roasted green pepper, fresh herbs and graphite. The hallmark Cabernet Franc character is complemented by fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity, resulting in a long, polished and food-friendly finish. 92 Points.
Food Pairing
Herb-roasted chicken, duck confit, pork tenderloin with plum compote, eggplant Parmesan or ratatouille.
2024 PLUME Merlot (Winery Direct | $37)
Vineyard & Winemaking
The Merlot was sourced from the Sagemoor Block in Washington’s White Bluffs AVA, a warm, windswept site overlooking the Columbia River. Its sloping vineyards and freely draining, flood-influenced sandy and silty loam soils provide ideal conditions for producing deeply concentrated, structured Merlot. After hand harvesting, each lot was fermented separately in stainless steel before aging for 16 months in French oak barrels.
Tech Specs: Alc. 14.0% | pH 3.65 | TA 6.29 g/L | RS 0.7 g/L
Tasting Notes
Deep, dark ruby in colour, with intense aromas of blackberry, black plum, tobacco leaf and cedar. Opulent and broad-shouldered, the palate delivers concentrated black plum and blackberry layered with dark chocolate, graphite and a distinctive chalk-dust minerality. The palate is wonderfully plush, expansive and delicious, yet the wine retains excellent balance and definition. Firm, powdery tannins frame the abundant dark fruit and carry it through a long, structured, mineral-edged finish. An exceptional Washington fruit Merlot. 93 Points.
Food Pairing.
Roasted pork tenderloin, roast chicken, Pacific salmon or Gruyère cheese.
2024 PLUME Syrah (Winery Direct | $40)
Vineyard & Winemaking
Produced from vineyards near the Columbia River, this Syrah benefits from Washington’s warm, semi-arid climate and volcanic and sedimentary soils that consistently produce concentrated, expressive fruit. Following hand harvest, the wine fermented in stainless steel before spending 16 months in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral French oak.
Tech Specs: Alc. 14.0% | pH 3.60 | TA 6.45 g/L | RS 1.1 g/L
Tasting Notes
Bold and expressive, revealing aromas of blueberry, black plum and cracked white pepper. Concentrated flavours of blackberry, blueberry and raspberry mingle with dark chocolate and a hint of bacon. Plush and full-bodied, the wine is supported by fine, velvety tannins that lend impressive refinement and balance, while lively acidity keeps the finish fresh and persistent. 92 Points
Food Pairing
BBQ ribs, slow-roasted lamb, smoked vegetables or dark chocolate.
2024 PLUME Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct | $45)
Vineyard & Winemaking
Sourced from one of Washington’s warmest growing regions on south-facing alluvial slopes, this Cabernet Sauvignon developed exceptional concentration while cool evenings preserved freshness and structure. After hand harvesting, the wine fermented in stainless steel before maturing for 16 months in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral French oak.
Tech Specs: Alc. 14.0% | pH 3.72 | TA 6.30 g/L | RS 0.2 g/L
Tasting Notes
Classic Washington Cabernet Sauvignon opens with expressive aromas of blueberry, blackberry, vanilla and a touch of clove. The full-bodied palate layers black cherry, blackberry and cassis with savoury earthy notes, vibrant natural acidity and refined, well-integrated tannins. Rich yet beautifully balanced, it delivers a long, polished finish with excellent cellaring potential. 92 Points.
Food Pairing
Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled portobello mushrooms or aged Gouda.
You can learn more about the PLUME collection and purchase the wines directly from Quails’ Gate here.
For other recent Quails’ Gate releases, see 2025 Vintage Wine from Quails’ Gate Winery
Final Thoughts
The Plume collection is far more than a response to a difficult vintage. It demonstrates Quails’ Gate’s unwavering commitment to quality, regardless of circumstance. Rather than simply sourcing fruit, Jeff Del Nin personally selected vineyard sites with proven pedigrees, remained involved throughout the growing season and crafted the wines with the same precision applied to the winery’s estate-grown portfolio.
These inaugural PLUME releases offer wine lovers the opportunity to experience some of Washington State’s finest vineyard sites interpreted through the lens of one of British Columbia’s most accomplished winemaking teams.