Alderlea Spring Releases & 2023 Cider Festival
Julie Powell and Zac Brown – Co-founders and Co-winemakers of Alderlea Vineyards (Cowichan Valley)
For 6 years now Julie and Zac have been re-imagining their lives. Studying the craft of winemaking, and farming techniques and releasing better and better wines.
They are blessed to be working with the outstanding vineyards of former owner/winemaker Roger Dosman. Roger was a leader in commercial Blattner releases but more importantly, committed himself and his vineyards to Pinot Noir. Well ahead of most of BC vineyards.
The Spring Releases from Alderlea this year include
Julie and Zac
2023 Pinot Gris – At first glance it reads as a Rose but it’s more copper coloured.
Aromas of ripe peaches lead to flavours of citrus, ripe mango and melon.
And a mouthfeel that tops it all off. Get your hands on this winner.
Zac explains the old-world winemaking process that makes it such a stand-out.
Like all of their wines, this exciting Pinot Gris is sustainably farmed, organically fertilized and grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides.
All Alderlea wines are Vegan. Julie has all the prices in the interview.
2023 Bacchus
These vines are old and gnarly. They should be, they’re starting their fourth decade. This close relative of the Riesling, it’s one of the oldest plantings in the Cowichan Valley.
Floral and citrus aromas followed by flavours of apricot and ripe South Pacific fruit. A welcomed sipper but also works with Asian dishes and seafood.
No oak program for any of the Alderlea whites.
2023 Valerie
Named after Julie’s late Mother. It was the first wine that Julie made as principal winemaker.
It’s a blend of 80% Cowichan Ortega & 20% Alderlea grown Viognier. Apricots, green pear and orange on the nose and palate.
The blend is spirited and elegant with memorable poise, much like her Mother. Available at the winery only.
The Valerie won a Gold Medal at the 2023 All-Canadian wine championships.
The 2020 Won Double Gold in 2021
Silver in 2019
Silver in 2018
I repeat – these were the first wines Julie has made.
2023 Sauvignon Blanc
A rare varietal in The Cowichan. I think Julie says one of only 3 vineyards growing it on Vancouver Island. Theirs is the largest planting of Cowichan Sauvignon Blanc, some planted in 2018.
Aromas of grasslands and citrus with flavours of Granny Smith apples and Nectarine. This is your seafood, oyster, and scallops wine for the season.
Paired with Halibut, the wine is such a delight and a consistent medal winner at All Canadian Wine Championships.
Two separate Pinot Noirs are arriving this Fall. I have both but I will lay them down for a couple of months. Still young. However, I will let you know how the tasting goes. Both could be a game changer for Alderlea and the Cowichan.
Wine tasting by appointment, they’re very busy growing and making wines. It is well worth the visit.
2023 BC Cider Festival – Pipe Shop North Vancouver
After being shut down for several years of lockdown, The 5th annual BC Cider Fest has just been announced. June 16th. Again at the Pipe Shop foot of Lonsdale, North Vancouver.
It’s grown every year as has the cider industry.
Driven by passionate, colourful cidermakers. It’s quite a community.
To give you an idea of how engaging these people are, we’re repeating four interviews from the 20 we did the last time they gathered.
Shawn and Kelly Piso – co-founders of Cider Fest
Gretta Lattey – Salt Spring Cider. Very popular.
Bruce McKinlay – Valley Cider. Duncan. Funny and wildly creative cidermaker.
Mathew Vaslev – Twin Island Cider. Most popular cider winner at last festival.
@bcciderfest
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Spring Wine Releases
Orofino
Scout Vineyard
Poplar Grove – new Pinot Noir
Clos du Soleil
The wineries of Naramata Bench
Anthony Buchannan
Painted Rock
Mayhem/Meyers
