Category Archives: Winery Review

Amelia (Syrah – Viognier), Daydreamer Wines, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, 13.5% abv., 2017, C$35

Posted on November 17, 2019 by winellama

This plush 90% Syrah, 10% Viognier is a treat! Master of Wine Marcus Ansems has produced a delicious Naramata Bench version of this northern Rhône classic. In the traditional homeland of Syrah, many winemakers co-ferment the grape with 5-10% Viognier … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, British Columbia, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Viognier | Tagged 13.5% abv, 2017, Amelia, BC, Canada, Canadian wine, Daydreamer Wines, Marcus Ansems, MW, Naramata, Naramata Bench, naramata bench sub GI, red wine | Leave a comment

Gewurztraminer-Pinot Gris, Granite, Bartier Brothers, Oliver, BC, 2017, 11.3% abv., C$26

Posted on November 3, 2019 by winellama

I’d been planning a trip to Bartier Brothers in Oliver, BC for a while. I drink so much of their Sémillon, I should own shares in the winery. A visit was definitely in order. No sooner did we step on … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, British Columbia, Gewurztraminer, Orange, Pinot Gris, WHITE, Winery Review | Tagged Bartier Brothers, BC, Canadian wine, Gewurztraminer / Pinot Gris, Granite, Michael Bartier, okanagan, Oliver, orange wine, white wine | Leave a comment

Pinot Gris, Reserve, Hillside Winery, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, Canada, 2017, 13.7% abv.

Posted on August 9, 2019 by winellama

I had wanted to visit Hillside Winery for a while – not only is their Reserve Pinot Gris one of my absolute favourite wines of all time, but their celebrated restaurant is award winning. We popped in for a visit … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, British Columbia, OTHER, Pinot Gris, WHITE | Tagged BC, Canada, Hillside Winery, Hillside Winery Bistro, Kathy Malone, Naramata Bench, naramata bench sub GI, okanagan valley vqa, pinot gris, Reserve, Shelann Sleegers, white wine | 3 Comments

Seaside Gin, Sheringham Distillery, Sooke, BC, Canada, 43% abv, C$46

Posted on May 25, 2019 by winellama

It’s not often that I write about spirits on Winellama. In fact, when I took the WSET Diploma, I balked at having to take a course on spirits. In the end, it was the course I learned the most from … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, gin, OTHER, SPIRITS | Tagged BC, Canada, contemporary gin, gin, Seaside Gin, Sheringham Distillery, Sooke, spirits, world gin awards, world winner | Leave a comment

Viognier/Roussanne, Freyja, Gard Vintners, Lawrence Estate Wines, Royal Slope, Columbia Valley AVA, Washington State, 2017, US$16

Posted on November 15, 2018 by winellama

Recently I attended the 2018 Wine Media Conference in Walla Walla, Washington. When I was doing a little legwork in advance of the event about some of the wineries we may meet with, I’d noticed a review by Stephen Tanzer … Continue reading →

Posted in Rousanne, Viognier, Walla Walla, Washington State, Washington State, WHITE | Tagged 2017, Columbia Valley, Columbia Valley AVA, Freyja, Gard Vintners, Lawrence Estate Wines, Roussanne, Royal Slope, US$16, Vinous, viognier, walla walla, washington state | 3 Comments

Cabernet Sauvignon, L’Appel du Vide, Columbia Valley AVA, Washington, USA, 14.3% abv.

Posted on July 14, 2017 by winellama

The meaning of ‘l’appel du vide’ is, ‘the call of the wild.’ One translation says it describes the urge to engage in destructive behaviours – like when you’re walking along and have “the inexplicable urge to jump into traffic”. Seriously? … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, RED, Washington State | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley AVA, L'Appel du Vide, red wine, USA, Washington | Leave a comment

Pinot Noir, Haywire, Secrest Mountain Vineyard, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2015, 13.5% abv.

Posted on February 18, 2017 by winellama

Another delicious wine from Haywire. Why are they so consistently good? Less is literally more – quality fruit, careful harvesting, and minimal intervention during the winemaking process allows the wine to speak for itself. Translucent ruby with aromas of black … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, Pinot Noir, RED, red wine | Tagged 2015, BC, british columbia, Haywire, okanagan valley vqa, pinot noir, red wine, Secrest Mountain Vineyard | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, Caymus Vineyards, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, 1 litre, 2014, 14.8% abv, US$90

Posted on February 1, 2017 by winellama

It doesn’t get much better or more stereotypical Napa Valley red than this! Caymus is an entrenched Napa brand. Big time rich, deep, and larger than life, their wines are those one thinks of when lusting after one the luscious … Continue reading →

Posted in cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, California, OTHER, RED | Tagged 1 liter, 1 litre, Cab, Cabernet Sauvignon, california, caymus, Chuck Wagner, napa valley, red wine, rutherford | Leave a comment

Zinfandel, Brown Estate, Chiles Valley, Napa Valley, California, 2012, 15.2% abv, US$50

Posted on May 18, 2016 by winellama

Do you know how hard it is to get a bottle of Brown Estate? They sell out pretty much everything they make annually to their wine club and select Napa Valley and San Francisco restaurant wine directors. And no one … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Napa, OTHER, RED, Red, Zinfandel | Tagged BE, Brown Estate, california, Chiles Valley, napa valley, red wine, zinfandel | Leave a comment

Church & State, Cabernet Franc, Coyote Bowl, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2010, 14.7% abv.

Posted on August 7, 2015 by winellama

I had to double check the label! On the first glass, I thought I was drinking a svelte Syrah from BC’s Okanagan Valley. Nope – Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet in colour, this wine offers classic Cab Franc aromas of pine … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, Cabernet Franc, OTHER, RED | Tagged BC, cabernet franc, Church & State, church and state, Coyote Bowl, Okanagan Valley, red wine | Leave a comment