“Don’t you find the winters a little cold and lonely out here in the Similkameen?” we naively asked co-owner Virginia Weber. “Are you absolutely kidding? You’re talking to a Saskatchewan girl,” was the response.

Fair enough – I mean, she was dealing with a pair of wet coast raised, through and through, namby-pamby, snow-scared babies. I am officially allergic to cold. I suppose the beautiful Similkameen would seem a veritable tropical paradise compared to Saskatchewan. But again, what do I know, raised in Victoria and now living in Vancouver via Thailand where I stayed for 10 very warm years.

What’s really amazing to me though is how a former teacher and nurse could after travelling the world and having significant life experiences decide to up and purchase a winery in the Similkameen so they could ‘try something new.’

Although it’s my dream, I’m just not entrepreneurial or adventurous enough.
Thankfully, some people are.

Whatever their story, it’s quite clear John and Virginia Weber have built a unique winery (it’s Canada’s only ‘strawbale’ constructed winery and it’s solar powered as well) and lovely wines. We enjoyed this one with some friends about to embark on a Similkameen and Naramata Bench tour.

This wine is clear and bright, medium minus lemon green with legs. On the nose it’s youthful and clean with intense aromas of guava, key lime, pomelo, a hint of petrol and pronounced minerality.

On the palate it’s the slightest bit off-dry with medium plus acidity, medium minus alcohol with medium flavour intensity of lime zest and yellow grapefruit, flint, rocks and petrol that hints toward the prospect of ageing this further. The finish is medium plus.

WSET Good Plus – drink now and enjoy, or save for a few to develop the petrol and honey. Enjoy with seafood or ham – or with hors d’oeuvres as we did.