For my last post of 2020 I thought it fitting to leave you with the Grand Vin from Gold Hill Winery on the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver, British Columbia.
Gold Hill Winery is owned by two brothers, Sant and Gurbachan Gill. Sant and Gurbachan come from a long line of farmers. In the 1980’s they immigrated to the Okanagan from the Indus Valley in Punjab, India. They came to the Okanagan to join their family members who were already farming in the area. In 1995 the brothers decided to purchase 24 acres of land on the Golden Mile Bench. The land was originally planted with fruit trees and over the years they converted it to vine. In 2009 they took the next step and produced 400 cases of wine under the Gold Hill label. Their first release won them the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for their 2009 Cabernet Franc.
Today the Gill family owns 65 acres of vineyard, which includes the original 24 acres on the Golden Mile Bench and now 32 acres in Osoyoos. In addition to making their own wines, the Gills supply many well known Okanagan wineries with their estate grown grapes.
2014 Grand Vin $64.99
The 2014 Grand Vin is a blend of 33.4% Merlot, 22.2% Cabernet Franc, 22.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22.2% Malbec. All the grapes were grown on the Golden Mile Bench.
After five hours in the decanter this wine has aromas of black plum, dried blackcurrant, bramble, mint and sweet spice. This is a dry, full bodied wine with medium+ acidity and tannins. The palate offers blackcurrant, leafy bramble, sweet black cherry and savory tobacco notes with a lingering finish.
This wine would pair well with a roast dinner accompanied by all the trimmings. Or enjoy it on its own by the fireside over the holidays.
I know the holidays are going to be very different this year, but I hope you will still find meaningful ways to connect virtually with your friends and family. Here’s hoping that 2021 will be brighter and see us return to gathering around the table with our loved ones. May 2021 be a year filled with health, laughter and great wine!
P.S. If you are looking for a great gingerbread recipe be sure to check out the big BAKE theory. I was not a fan of gingerbread growing up. To me gingerbread was synonymous with hard, stale and boring cookies. A few years back I was introduced to this recipe and it completely changed my perception!