We are planting our first estate Pinot Noir at our Naramata Bench vineyard! Today, Mary, Devon and the rest of our viticulture crew are planting Pinot Noir Burgundy clone 777, (the same Pinot Noir as currently planted in our south Langley estate vineyard). Originally from Morey St. Denis in the Cote d’Or, 777 is at the heart of some of Burgundy’s greatest reds and offers a combination of finesse and power. On Friday, they planted Pinot Noir Burgundy clone 115, appreciated for its perfume and structure. Next season they will plant Pinot Noir Burgundy clone 667, known for aromatic and tannic finesse. These three Dijon clones are considered amongst the finest Pinot Noir clones in the world. They are prized for their smaller grape sizes and bunch weights, producing classic Burgundy attributes with great intensity in both fruit flavours and aromatics. We chose a variety of Burgundian clones to contribute to a more complex finished wine.
Shortly, we will also have a new vineyard block of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir (Burgundy clone 828). This clone is later ripening and known for higher acidity. These blocks along with our estate Chardonnay will be designated solely for a new Naramata Bench estate sparkling wine. Stay tuned, it will be available in approximately 7 years!
While we wait, we’re enjoying our 2016 seven stars Equinox sparkling wine, blanc de noir. Made with Pinot Noir, this Brut Rosé, has been honoured with numerous 90+ point scores and was described by Vancouver Sun wine critic Anthony Gismondi as, “fresh with persistent bubbles and ethereal citrus aromas, complex and well worth contemplating.”
