On another gorgeous early Summer day in the Okanagan, in the general direction of Covert Farms, I made a beeline for Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. Founded in 1993, Tinhorn Creek has been growing grapes and making wine for 20 years in the south Okanagan. A driving force behind the beauty of the Okanagan, Sandra Oldfield, has been an active member of the social media community of wine writers for several years and wasn’t exaggerating when she said it was one of the greatest places on earth. Built on a strong friendship, the winery has become a destination.
A refugee defector from the Sonoma County wine industry, Sandra headed north in 1995 and landed in Oliver after studying winemaking and Canadian history at UC Davis (ok well that’s an interesting combination!). Slogging away at producer Rodney Strong in Sonoma County, she is now part owner at Tinhorn Creek. While we miss her talent and energy here in California, Sandra is part of an exciting future for the Okanagan wine industry and I can’t wait to go back and visit more.
Tinhorn Creek sits on a unique hillside, rising steeply above the river valley, where you have rock, gravel, sandy loam an alluvial fan soil beds all mixing together to create a fantastic terroir for wine. Tinhorn Creek owns two distinct tracts of land, in an area of the south Okanagan called the Golden Mile; with 50 acres of estate vineyards and 100 acres of additional land on the Black Sage Bench, Tinhorn Creek has the perfect growing climate for some amazing Bordeaux style wines as well as aromatic whites.
In addition to expressing the best of the region, Tinhorn Creek focuses on sustainability and being ecologically responsible. With programs that includes recycling, composting, and making smarter
choices, they maintain stewardship of the land and local people to maintain their livlihood and safety while reducing carbon production and water use, keeping the area clean and pristine for generations to come.
But what abou tthe wine? Not that I’m biased or anything, but Tinhorn Creek would be one of my favorite wineieres in the Okanagan. I was told about the Cab Franc from my friend Marcy, who had previously travelled tot he region on a scounting mission while I was on the northern end in 2012. Her depiction of the wine and the winery made me crave my own visit. As kismet would have it, I walked in the door of the winery, and randomly walked straight in to Marcy – who was also in Penticton a day early for WBC13. Well! An expert guide to the wine was just what I needed.
And now, the wine! The Oldfield Series 2 Bench White blend is a unique wine, with a blend of a Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion that were co-fermented in addition to a co-fermented Semillion and Viognier that was blended in. The result is a rich, barely off dry white with beautiful aromatics that are perfect for porch sipping. I love the use of Semillion in Sauvignion Blanc, because it rounds out any rough edges that Sav Blanc can have, and while the acidity is maintained, the Semillion brings some firmness and body.
A crowd favorite, the Oldfield Series 2 Bench Rose is a rose of Cabernet Franc, something that is hard to find as there is so little Cab Franc in general. Typically Cab Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon blased roses are bolder, darker, deepr and sometimes cloying, but this rose is light as a feather, refreshing, full of red fruit and simply divine. A purpose made rose, the grapes kiss the skins for just 4 hours, resulting in a deep salmon color, but just a beautiful touch of that Cab Franc flavor. i drank my one and only bottle that customs let me come home with, so I hope to get back up to Oliver soon! Or maybe Sandra can bring some to Santa Barbara (hint hint) for the 2014 Wine Bloggers Conference. I opened this recently with some friends in California, who were card carrying “I hate rose” people, and they were impressed at the delicate, refreshing wine without a hint of residual sugar.
Now in to the reds, the Oldfield Series 2 Bench Red Blend follows it’s white counterpart, and is a Bordeaux style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot. It’s a big wine, but not over the top and it has some delicious black fruit and spice notes that make it perfect for a steak or a hamburger.
The Oldfield Series Syrah is a rich and dark syrah, full of dark blackberries and tobacco. Beef jerkey covered with white pepper round out this cool climate example with juicy notes.
And now, the Cabernet Franc! While the Oldfield Series Cab Franc was sold out, much to my chagrin, I was able to taste the Cabernet Franc and it was delicious. Black raspberries, leather, tobacco, cigar box, and herbal notes blend together to create a pop of flavor in your mouth. This is a party in a glass and should be enjoyed on it’s own or with a rich beef stew. I loved this wine!
Tinhorn Creek is a must on any Okanagan itinerary, and it’s worth an afternoon over a leisurely lunch at their adjoining restaurant, Miradoro. I look forward to a return visit, or many!
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