Spring Releases – Tightrope (Naramata) and Bonterra Organic (Mendocino)
THE SHOW
Lyndsay O’Rourke – Winemaker at Tightrope Winery (Naramata Bench)
(Lyndsay and Graeme O’Rourke)
Tightrope Winery is a small, family-run, sustainable winery on the Naramata Bench.
A true Labour of love for owners Graham (viticulturist) and Lyndsay O’Rourke (winemaker). Their vineyards on the Naramata Bench are farmed sustainably to make hand-crafted wines with artistry and passion. Tightrope wines capture the soul of Naramata – the personality, character, culture and fruit of “the Bench.”
(tightrope winery)
Tightrope is yet another story of a couple who discovered they both had a passion for wine and when given the self inspired opportunity to become farmers and winemakers, they changed careers and homes to follow their dreams.
To those who seek such things, it should come as no surprise that their wines are completely passionate and speak to your senses.
Top 10 small wineries in Canada – 2019.
Our interview with co-owner and winemaker Lyndsay O’Rourke will cover Tightrope Spring Releases..
2023 – Pinot Gris – 4 different vineyards. Notes of pear and grapefruit. Beautifully clean and dry. ( Lyndsay has prices in interview)
2023 – Rose . What a nice surprise to find 96% Pinot Noir and 4% Barbera which adds spice notes in the tasting experience.
2022 – Semillon. Single vineyard Gem. 100% Sem. Lemon zest. Grapefruit and minerality. Clean and crisp.
2023 – Viognier. Two vineyards involved. Ripe citrus notes, ginger. Dry and bright. Aged on lees for 3 months. French and Acacia Barrels. Worth it!!
2022 – Pinot Noir Rubis. Destemmed not crushed. 3 weeks on skins. Then French Oak – 30% new for 10 months. Cranberry. Strawberry. Spice. (Cellar for 2-10)
2022 – Pinot Noir Fleet Road. Complex vineyard management pays off. Ripe black fruit, plum. Leather. Some Oak. Impressive. (cellar 2-10 years)
Bonterra Organic Estates – Joseph Brinkley Director of Regenerative Farming/Benjamin Mitarakis Dir. of Trade Development (Mendocino)
This taste and talk took place at Tap and Barrell Bridges on Granville island . The afternoon was part Spring release tasting and very much a talk about organic farming at Bonterra Organic Estates. America’s #1 Organic Winery.
The winery and vineyards over the years has been known as Fetzer Vineyards and had winemakers such as Paul Dolan and Bob Blue.
Vina Concha y Toro took control of Fetzer in 2011 and when they launched Bonterra they were well ahead of anyone else in Organic farming and wines.
Its taken years of education to raise the profile of organic wines. With the consumer and surprisingly with wine sales staff. Not just in Vancouver but everywhere.
Benjamin and Joseph spent several hours walking us through the farming process, the certification of the vineyards and their commitment to The Earth.
(Joseph Brinkley – TDM – Benjamin Mitarakis)
Our energized conversation covered most of the questions asked in the room but then we talked about “the wines”.
All the while we tasted the following Bonterra Spring Releases..
2022 – Bonterra Organic Estates Chardonnay. 2 vineyards. One sandstone and the other volcanic rock. On Lees 6 months American Oak – third new. $24
Delightful Mendocino Chard. Light oak notes – nice finish and the price is right.
2021 – Bonterra Organic Estates Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice touch of Petit Syrah adds fine aromas. 40% new French oak. Raised toast levels lifts everything.
$25. Dark ripe berries, lasting finish. Again, the price is right.
Not yet available but hopefully coming our way, we also tasted
2022 – Bonterra Estate Collection (new) Chardonnay. Granny Smith, citrus, ripe pear. 50/50 oak French/American. Brilliant nose. Big hit!
2022 – Bonterra Estate Collection (new) Cabernet Sauvignon. Butler Ranch Fruit. 100% French Oak. 40% new.
2022 – Bonterra Estate Collection (new) (new) The Butler Red Blend. Butler Ranch Vineyards. 63% Syrah, 18 P Syrah, 12 Mourvedre, 6 Grenache and 1% Viognier. 14 months in French Oak (12 new). Direct, delicious and damn good.
Bonterra Certified: B Corporation/ Regenerative Organic Certified/Climate Neutral Certified/True Zero Waste Certified.
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
BC Spring Releases
Whisky Tales
