I am always intrigued by the changing landscape of wine country in the Okanagan Valley. Some wineries have been around for decades, standing the test of time, while other wineries change hands and are transformed. New plots of land are planted to vine for the very first time, while other vineyards are replanted with more suitable or, sometimes, experimental grape varieties. One thing that never seems to change though, is that there are always new and exciting wineries opening.
Over the next couple of months I will highlight some of the new wineries that have opened in the Okanagan Valley, starting here with Uppercase Winery.
Uppercase Winery is located in Okanagan Falls. It is owned by Bert Evertt, an accomplished opera singer. There is more coming in future posts on Bert, his family and the three new wineries that he has recently opened. For now, just know that Bert has engaged Consulting Winemaker, Pascal Madevon, who has worked at Osoyoos Larose, Culmina Family Estate Winery and French Door Estate Winery, just to name a few. Uppercase Winery is also planting some very interesting grapes varieties in the Okanagan including, Pecorino (a white grape found along Italy’s east coast) and Teroldego (a red grape native to Italy’s Trentino area and Vermentino).
Now to introduce you to a few of their current releases.
2021 Rosé $24.99
This Rosé is made from 100% Merlot. The grapes were grown at the Border Vineyard, on the Osoyoos West Bench. They were picked early to retain freshness and the grapes were gently pressed with no prolonged skin contact. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel and 358 cases were made.
After some time in the decanter, there are aromas of blossom, dried apricot, grapefruit and strawberry jam. This is a dry, medium bodied Rosé with medium+ acidity. The palate starts off floral, then there are notes of those light and dark gummy berry candies, followed by strawberries and cream, with a salty, grapefruit pith, medium+ finish.
2021 Viognier $29.99
60% of the grapes were grown on the Black Sage Bench, while the remaining 40% were grown on the Osoyoos West Bench. The fruit was whole-cluster pressed and then fermented, half in stainless steel and half in seasoned French oak barriques using specific yeast strains. Malolactic fermentation was blocked and the wine was aged on fine lees for ten months in stainless steel (50%) and oak barrel (50%) prior to bottling. Only 106 cases were produced.
This is exactly what I would want from an Okanagan Viognier. On the nose there are notes of jasmine, pear, peach and minerality. This is a dry wine, medium+ in body with medium+ acidity. The palate offers notes of jasmine, fresh, juicy peach, Asian pear, yellow grapefruit pith, saline and pine nuts, with floral notes persisting on the long finish.
This Viognier is delicious on its own, but it would pair well with pasta in cream sauce, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes or Indian cuisine.
2021 Axis Chardonnay $34.99
The grapes for this wine were harvested on October 16th from the Border Vineyard on the Osoyoos West Bench. Whole clusters were pressed to stainless steel. The juice was settled and then racked to French oak barrels (20% new) for fermentation with specific yeast strains. The wine was aged in barrel for seven months. It underwent full malolactic conversion and stirring of the lees. 243 cases were produced.
Aromas of sweet blossoms, dusty cedar, canned peaches, yellow apple, grapefruit pith, sweet spice, butter and warm Parker House rolls. This is a dry, full bodied wine with medium acidity. The palate starts off creamy but finishes with texture. It offers juicy peach, yellow apple, pineapple, salinity, grapefruit pith, lemon, nutmeg and butter with a medium+ finish.
Uppercase Winery – 19 Eastside Road, Okanagan Falls
Uppercase Winery is open seven days a week from 11:30-5:30. No reservations required, just bring a picnic or charcuterie to enjoy on the terrace alongside a beautiful bottle of wine from Uppercase Winery.