Bella is run by husband and wife team, Jay Drysdale and Wendy Rose – and named after their dearly beloved, but departed dog, Bella.  They specialize in sparkling wines and are proud of staying true to the traditional method.

Their wines are crafted unlike most in that they show off single vintages from single vineyards and use only one varietal.  There are no bicycle pumps or CO2 hoses to be found around these wines.

The Bella property is quirky and cool – and their tasting room, unique.  In this day and age, everyone tries, but it’s hard to be quantifiably different.  Yet, they have managed to be so, for example by allowing guests to choose their own glasses, all of which are fabulous and old bubble stemware and appear to have been selected from someone’s kitchen cupboard.

We visited in August, 2015 and ran into Jay while he was harvesting grapes closer to Penticton (yes, you read that correctly – harvesting in August on the Naramata Bench – 2015 was an early and warm vintage).  He let Wendy know we were on our way.

This rosé sparkler is made from Gamay Noir grapes, has a medium pink salmon colour with a finely beaded mousse, and is slightly cloudy.

There are light aromas of strawberry and fresh bread on the dry palate.  Acidity is great as well and is balanced with the medium plus flavours of strawberry compote and red pepper, french bread and dried tarragon that combine beautifully with blue cheese.

WSET Very Good, highly recommended.