When Noble Ridge Winery first burst onto the scene in 2003 it was with 40 cases of Pinot Noir and 500 cases of Red Meritage.
This year, as the Okanagan Falls winery celebrates its 20th anniversary, production is way up to 7,500 cases annually and Chardonnay, Rose, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, a Champagne-style sparkling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon have been added to the mix.
Noble Ridge's trajectory has more than mirrored what's happening overall in the BC wine.
What that means is exponential growth -- in 2003 when Noble Ridge was fledgling, there were only 93 wineries in the province, today there are 335.
A 20th birthday is a big deal in the Okanagan wine industry and Noble Ridge is celebrating all spring, summer and fall.
You can join the party by dropping by the tasting room at 2320 Oliver Ranch Rd. any day of the week to sip the latest releases, indoor or outdoors.
Three of the new releases by winemaker and vineyard manager Benoit Gauthier that Noble Ridge is particularly proud of are:
- 2022 Rose ($25)
Nothing says summer sipping like pink.
And Noble Ridge's version is pale and perfect and berry-crisp in the style the French originated in Provence.
- 2020 Reserve Red Meritage ($43)
Red Meritage is the original Noble Ridge blend (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbed) from 20 years ago and it just keeps getting better and better.
The 2019 vintage was a gold medal winner at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition.
- 2019 Pinot Noir Reserve ($35)
The other varietal originally released by Noble Ridge two decades ago.
Bright, but complex, with aromas and flavours of black cherry and spice.
Also a gold medal winner at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
Noble Ridge was founded by Calgary lawyer Jim D'Andrea and his hospital administrator wife, Leslie, who were looking for a life change.
They started with just three acres of vineyard and have grown it to 24 acres.
Other events planned to mark 20 vintages are Vine Dining dinners July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 9, the Vintage in the Vines fundraiser for West Coast Kids Cancer Foundation on Aug. 26 and Harvest Work Days on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Check out www.nobleridge.com for more information.
By the way, Noble Ridge is named after the noble grape varieties it grows and the ridge of land that bisects the property.
Spring Wine Fest
The post-pandemic, re-imagined Okanagan Spring Wine Festival is here.
Previously held in May, this 2023 fest is now a June bash to capitalize on warmer weather and vineyards in full leaf.
The party starts tomorrow afternoon with the Wine Garden Party ($125) at Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna, 2-5 pm.
Tomorrow and Sunday, the $65 Taste Passport covers six wine-tasting experiences at Kelowna and West Kelowna wineries.
Next week, on Friday, June 9, 7:30-9:30 pm, the Valley First Okanagan Spring Grand Tasting ($110) is at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre.
Many of the wines available for sampling will be medal winners from the BC Lieutenant Governors' Wine Awards.
The June 10-11 Taste Passports ($65 each) are good for six wine-tastings at different wineries in each Summerland-Naramata Bench- Penticton or Okanagan Falls-Oliver-Osoyoos.
The June 11 Taste Passport ($65) is the entree to six winery experiences at The District Wine Village in Oliver.
From June 3-11, individual wineries up and down the Valley will also have their own Okanagan Spring Wine Festival events and specials.
For tickets to the signature events and info on winery happenings go to www.thewinefestivals.com.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at smacnaull@nowmediagroup.ca. His wine column appears in this space every Friday afternoon.
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