Niche Wine Company was co-founded by James and Joanna Schlosser in 2011. Somehow this busy couple manages to balance marriage, parenthood, full time careers and a winery.
Joanna Schlosser studied graphic design and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Simon Fraser University. When she is not busy fulfilling her duties as Creative Director and CEO at Niche, she can be found brand building and developing content strategy for her industry clients.
James Schlosser has a bachelor of science from the University of Victoria as well as a Master of Science in oenology and viticulture from Brock University. James has worked as a winemaker for the past 15 years and he is the winemaker at Niche. He is also a Senior Manager within the BC Cancer Technology Development Office.
For this hardworking duo, Niche Wine Company truly is a family affair. James and Joanna source their grapes from a ten acre vineyard that is owned and operated by Jame’s parents, Kathleen and Jerry Schlosser. Kathleen and Jerry purchased the property in 1978, but they didn’t begin planting their vineyard until 1997; they named it the Hugh & Mary Vineyard. The vineyard is tucked into the hills of West Kelowna, at an elevation of 620 meters. The wines from Niche Wine Company are produced almost exclusively from these vines.
Niche is a small lot winery producing around 1500 cases per year. Over the next five years Joanna and James plan to double their production and expand their winery. Niche Wine Company does not currently have a tasting room, but their wines can be found at restaurants and private liquor stores around the province. Niche is presently offering free shipping across Canada on orders over $125.
2019 Small Batch Bubbles $26.00
The grapes for this wine were harvested early to ensure good acidity. They were hand-picked and then basket-pressed before the juice was put into stainless steel drums for fermentation. After fermentation the wine was left to sit on the lees for five months; the wine was stirred weekly during this time. This wine is a blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Blanc and it is frizzante in style (lightly sparkling); made using the Charmat method.
This delightful sparkling wine has floral aromas along with starchy apples and bready notes. Small Batch Bubbles is a slightly off-dry wine with medium acidity. The palate offers lemon, green apple, brioche and almond with a lingering finish.
Only 175 cases produced.
2018 Extra Mile Pinot Noir $45.00
Pinot Noir is winemaker James Schlosser’s favourite varietal to work with. The 2018 Extra Mile Pinot Noir is made using only clone 115 from 23-year-old vines in the Hugh & Mary Vineyard.
The grapes were handpicked before being fermented in small, ½ ton lots and cold soaked for ten days. During this time punchdowns occurred three times per day. The wine was gently pressed off the skins using a basket press before spending 16 months in French oak (25% new).
After three hours in the decanter there are aromas of violet, strawberry, cherry, pepper, cured meat and star anise. This is a dry, medium bodied wine with medium+ acidity and low tannins. The palate offers a burst of flavor with cranberry, sour cherry, dried herbs and salinity on the elegant and lingering finish.
Only 57 cases produced.
References
Cowan, A. (March 18, 2020). Small Batch Winemaker Pays Attention to Detail. Retrieved from: https://www.surreynowleader.com/life/small-batch-winemaker-pays-attention-to-detail/
Schreiner, J. ( January 29, 2020). Niche Releases First Unfiltered Pinot Noir. Retrieved from: http://johnschreiner.blogspot.com/2020/01/niche-releases-first-unfiltered-pinot.html