Taste
The 2022 Lot 7 Chardonnay whispers tales of its unique summer. A swirl reveals aromas conspiring- ripe pear hanging heavy on the branch, sun warmed acacia honey, blossoms tinged with frost. The sip spreads a story across the palate. A gust of apple ripe for the picking, melded with lemon zest plucked straight from the tree. Tropical guava fruit offers an encore, balanced by refreshing acidity and a hint of smoke from weathered oak casks. One savors the drama of this vintage. A challenging start, with winter’s bite damaging some vines. Yet a dry, warm summer and timely harvest allowed those that survived to shine, ripening to perfection in their free-draining nest within Lot 7 vineyard. Through diligent care and wise winemaking, the drama, ripeness and refreshment of this single vineyard coalesce into a lingering finish with hints of a splendid encore still to come.
Vineyard
Lot 7 vineyard gives life to one of our most compelling Chardonnays, showcasing the cooler climate qualities of Summerland terroir. Planted on well-draining sandy loam soils, the northeast-facing slope provides ideal drainage while still retaining enough moisture for the vines. The large diurnal temperature swings of the Okanagan Valley allow the grapes to develop complex flavours during warm days while preserving fresh acidity during cooler nights. Situated at an elevation of over 400 meters, the vineyard is cooled by winds that funnel up the valley from Okanagan Lake. This moderating influence offsets some of the heat unit accumulation created by the long growing season, preventing the grapes from developing overly ripened or jammy characteristics. Through meticulous canopy management, the viticulturists coax optimal ripening from each vine, restraining vigour to achieve balanced maturity in the grapes. Only the very finest clusters are selected for harvest. At our winery, we handle the grapes with great care, aiming to let this cool climate vineyard express itself through the wine. The result captures the essence of Lot 7 - showcasing the characters imparted by its free-draining soils, valley breezes and warm Okanagan sunshine, but tempered by altitude and the moderating influences of Okanagan Lake.
Winemaking
100% Chardonnay
8 Months New and Neutral Oak
Alcohol 12.8%
