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Vagabond Kitchen @ Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars July 22nd
In the last few years our home in the Southern Okanagan has seen an explosion in fantastic little gourmet food vendors. This summer we thought it would be fun to jump on the food wagon and have our friends from Vagabond Kitchen stop by on a few days throughout July and August.
They will be serving items from their simple but delicious menu, all easily eaten with hands, fingers, elbows or whichever body part you are most comfortable using. Enjoy some lunch, wine, outdoor games and of course our famous view. No reservations required, bring along your friends, while the first date is July 22nd. See our Events Page for further dates and details.
Cheers!
Jul 18, 2017 at 3:22 PM
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Pinot Noir at Blue Mountain Winery, Okanagan Falls
Pinot Noir is one of the wines we are most well-known for at Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars. We produce two tiers of Pinot Noir: the Estate Pinot Noir, which we normally release at the end of February and the Reserve Pinot Noir (formerly Stripe Label), which we normally release at the end of April. We also produce the Reserve Pinot Noir in Magnum format (1.5L). Be sure to join our mailing list to be notified of these wine releases.
Viticulture and Vinification:
The grapes for our Pinot Noir are grown on 8 to 30 year old vines with a wide selection of clones including 113, 114, 115, 375, 667 & 777 (see the map below for the location of the clones on the farm).
The winemaking process
We de-stem and lightly crush the grapes into open-topped fermentation tanks, with a small portion of whole clusters adding to the intensity of the flavour and enhance the mouth feel. During the 16-20 days' maceration period, we practice manual cap management, with punch downs twice and up to three times daily. We then drain and press the Pinot Noir into French oak barrels, where it remains for 10 months.
In 2013 100% of the vintage got fermented with wild yeast. Wild yeast fermentations starts by itself when wild yeast strains – originating in the vineyard / site (harvest equipment, transport bins, the surface winemaking equipment) - start fermenting. Wild yeast can take up to a week to begin the fermentation because their initial populations are small compared to an inoculated fermentation. Using Wild Yeast is a very risky process, but our winemaker, Matt has done a lot of experimenting and have found great success using wild yeast. This helps to express the unique terrior of our estate.
Winemakers Notes: Estate Pinot Noir
Light garnet colour with red and black fruit. Vanilla and toast complement cassis and black cherry flavours, and spicy, velvety tannins fill out the Pinot Noir. Its balanced structure will allow the wine to age for 6 to 7 years.
Winemakers Notes: Reserve Pinot Noir
The Reserve Pinot Noir is a rich, ruby-coloured wine complex layers of red fruit, spice and integrated oak. The wine could age 7 to 8 years.
Be sure to check out this video on Pinot Noir in the Vineyard, Blue Mountain Winery produced by Chris Stenberg at Vine & Beach.
Mar 12, 2015 at 10:10 AM
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Valentine's Day
No matter what your views are on Valentine's Day from worth celebrating to way too commercial, one simple thing that you can do is enjoy some sparkling wine and celebrate with your special someone.
We have four Sparkling wines to choose from 2006 Reserve Brut, 2007 Blanc de Blancs, 2010 Brut Rosé and the NV Brut. See below a recent review by Beppi Crosariol from the Globe and Mail of our Brut Rose sparkling wine:
Brut Rosé R.D. 2010: "The colour is an enticing delicate rose-petal pink, like a faint blush on a pretty face. It’s serious bubbly from one of Canada’s best sparkling wine producers, aged for 36 months in contact with the bottled yeast prior to having the sediment disgorged. Bone dry in that electric Blue Mountain style, it shows bright lemon, green apple, berry and toasty baguette flavours over a satisfyingly chalky texture."
We suggest starting the evening off with some bubbly. Looking for a super easy appetizer to enjoy? Try this recipe for Smoked Salmon and Caper Cream Cheese Toasts and pair it with our 2010 Brut Rosé Sparkling wine.
If you plan to treat your loved one with a special Valentine's Dinner, consider any of the locations in the Okanagan or Lower Mainland where Blue Mountain Sparkling wine can be enjoyed.
Reviews for our other Sparkling wines can be found on our website.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Feb 10, 2015 at 10:00 AM
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12 days of Christmas contest
To celebrate a great year we’re toasting with a "12 days of Christmas" giveaway! We will feature one Blue Mountain wine or gift for each of the next 12 days along with the perfect holiday occasion to enjoy them or ideas on who to share them with.
To win you have to share, like, comment, tweet as much as you can over the next 12 days. One of our dedicated friends will win the dozen!! The details on how to enter are at the bottom of this blog (Enter the contest daily). Check back daily for special offers. Limited to British Columbian residents. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below.
Day 1: Blue Mountain 2013 Pinot Gris
Price: $20.90
***SPECIAL OFFER! - Order a 12 bottle case of our 2013 Pinot Gris on Monday, December 1st and receive FREE shipping in British Columbia!! USE Promo code: PGRISFREESHIP
Review: Some Okanagan Valley Pinot Gris are fermented and aged in oak barrels and others see no oak at all. Both styles can produce outstanding versions of BC's most planted white variety (2011 acreage report). Blue Mountain successfully combines the best of both worlds with 60% of the fruit fermented and aged in stainless steel and the remaining 40% in new-to-3 year old French oak. The blended wine brings together lively, citrus, apple, kiwi and white peach aromas and flavours with beautiful, rounded characters of orange blossom, wheat, vanilla, light spice and just a hint of warm brioche in the background. A lemon/lime acidic kick keeps the finish crisp and clean. A delightful Pinot Gris to be enjoyed now, or over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
Score 90 - Liam Carrier, iconscores.ca, October 2014
Pairing Suggestion: Apricot Glazed Ham
Where to find: Vancouver/ BC Interior - winery direct / follow this link to find stores in your area, Alberta: Jwebb Wine Merchant
Day 2: Blue Mountain Sparkling Stopper
This beautiful Sparkling Wine Stopper preserves the fizz and flavour in sparkling wines for several days after opening by creating an airtight seal.
***SPECIAL OFFER! We are including a FREE Blue Mountain stopper with the purchase of a case of Blue Mountain wine consisting of at least one bottle of Sparkling, ordered on December 2nd. Add #bluemtnbubbly to your order notes.
Day 3: Blue Mountain 2010 Brut Rosé R.D.
Price: $33.00
Review: This terrific bubbly is mostly Pinot Noir with a bit of Chardonnay and gets the balance between complexity and freshness right. It's a beautiful wine to enjoy with oysters, seafood or even your festive turkey dinner.
Christopher Waters, canoe.ca, November 2014
Articles: Click here to read "10 sparkling wines for the holidays" by Christopher Waters via Canoe.ca
Where to find: Vancouver/ BC Interior - winery direct, Alberta - Jwebb Wine Merchant
Day 4: Jewels of the Okanagan by Mike Biden
Price: $20.00
This glossy coffee-table book showcases 80 pages of Mike's stunning photographs of the Okanagan and features the iconic Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars view on the cover.
To purchase contact Mike Biden at mikebiden@shaw.ca / 250-486-2112 or follow this link to purchase your copy online.
Day 5: Blue Mountain 2006 Reserve Brut
Price: $39.90
Review: Exceptional, complex, silky. Recently disgorged (RD) refers to the fact that this sparkling aged on its lees to add complexity, until just months prior to release. Renowned for elegant and often intricate bubbles, this one is no exception. Made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a splash of Pinot Gris, it suggests patisserie aromas of warm buttery croissants and nutty brioche slathered in pear compote alongside golden apples, field berries, orange zest and white flowers. Expect a fine bead (bubbles) and a mosaic of fruit, exotic citrus, nuts and bready toasted flavours. It is silky and undeniably elegant with exceptional power balanced by mouthwatering acidity." Daenna Van Mulligen, winediva.ca, October 2014
Where to find: Vancouver/ BC Interior - winery direct or follow this link to our blog on Retail locations where you can buy Blue Mountain Vintage Sparkling wines the Lower Mainland, Whistler and Vancouver ; Alberta: Jwebb Wine Merchant
Day 6: Blue Mountain Corkscrew
At Blue Mountain we use natural corks as the closure for all our wines. Read more on 'How Wine Corks are Chosen' on our blog. Are you a corkscrew collector? Feel free to share a photo of your corkscrew collection, email it to bluemountain@bluemountainwinery.com and we will post it on our facebook page.
***SPECIAL OFFER! We are including a FREE Blue Mountain corkscrew with the purchase of a case of Blue Mountain wine, ordered on December 6th. Add #bluemtncorkscrew to your order notes.
Day 7: Blue Mountain 2013 Pinot Blanc
Price: $17.90
Review: We loved last year and edition 28 may be even better. Lively juicy fun and fresh on the nose and palate this wine is really over delivering. Two clones are behind this 50/50 mix of wine raised in wood and stainless steel. Love the lively citrus, mineral, green peach flavours flecked with guava and pear. Any type of shellfish works here and I’m thinking spaghetti vongole is the perfect match.
Score 89 - Anthony Gismondi - gismondionwine.com, September 2014
Pairing Suggestion: Butter Popcorn
Where to find: Vancouver/ BC Interior - follow this link to find stores in your area, Alberta: Jwebb Wine Merchant
Day 8: Blue Mountain tote bag
A of bottle of wine (or sparkling wine) is always welcome, whether for the hostess, for your secret Santa or for under the Christmas tree. Make it extra special by choosing a creative way of wrapping the bottle of wine.
Check out our Pinterest page -we've created a Pinterest board with some inspiration. For creative gift basket ideas - check Julianna Hayes' article on "Getting creative with gift baskets" via The Daily Courier.
***SPECIAL OFFER! We are including a FREE Blue Mountain Tote bag with the purchase of a case of Blue Mountain wine, ordered on December 8th.
Day 9: Blue Mountain 2007 Blanc de Blancs
Price: $39.90
Review: "Bone-dry and razor-sharp with acidity, this all-chardonnay beauty displays great depth of flavour, hinting at lemon pastry, green apple, honey and classic champagne-style tangy-toasty autolytic character. www.bluemountainwinery.com".
Score 93 - Beppi Crosariol, globeandmail.com, November 2014.
Articles: Click here to read "Top-notch wines just in time for the holidays" by Beppi Crosariol via The Globe and Mail.
Where to find: Vancouver/ BC Interior - winery direct or follow this link to our blog on Retail locations where you can buy Blue Mountain Vintage Sparkling wines the Lower Mainland, Whistler and Vancouver ; Alberta: Jwebb Wine Merchant
Day 10: Blue Mountain Key Chain by Creative Corkworks
Unique Key Chain made with love by Creative Corkworks with upcycled Blue Mountain wine corks.
To purchase contact Raelene Rozander at creativecorkworks@gmail.com, order on Etsy or visit the Penticton Visitors Centre. To see more of Creative Corkworks' products visit their facebook page.
***SPECIAL OFFER! We are including a FREE Blue Mountain key chain with the purchase of a case of Blue Mountain wine, ordered on December 10th. Add #bluemtnkeychain to your order notes.
Day 11: Blue Mountain NV Brut
Price: $23.90
Review: "Just released in Ontario Vintages stores and also available direct from the winery, this non-vintage bubbly from one of Canada’s top Champagne-style producers is superb. A blend of mostly pinot noir with chardonnay and pinot gris, it’s bone-dry, rich and creamy, with a sherry-like tang and bread-like autolysis essence. Wonderfully yeasty, honeyed depth; $23.90 direct from the B.C. winery bluemountainwinery.com."
Score 93 - Beppi Crosariol, globeandmail.com, October 2014
Articles: Click here to read "Salut: Sparklers that shine" by Anthony Gismondi via The Vancouver Sun.
Where to find: Vancouver/ BC Interior - winery direct or follow this link to find stores in your area; Alberta: Jwebb Wine Merchant, Ontario - LCBO Vintages
Day 12: Okanagan Valley British Columbia 2015 Calendar
Price: $14.99
This beautifully photographed 12-month 12" x 12" wall calendar of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia features Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars on the cover. To purchase follow this link.
CONGRATULATIONS to Cathi Shaw, the winner of our 12 days of Christmas contest!
Dec 12, 2014 at 10:30 AM
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Cheese in British Columbia - Moonstruck
Fine Farmstead Organic Cheeses from Salt Spring Island
These makers of fine organic cheese on Salt Spring Island use the fragrant milk from their own small herd of purebred Jersey cows. They have about 25 cows in total. Depending on the season, they milk between 12 and 20 cows. The cows are treated well as they are the foundation of the company. The healthier and happier they are, the more sweet and fragrant their milk is. Organic management is used throughout the farm meaning good food, no drugs, no chemicals, free access to the outside world and lots of opportunity to interact socially with other members of the herd.
Julia Grace (cheese-maker) and Susan Grace (farm manager) have been producing cheese at Moonstruck since 1998. All of Moonstruck cheeses are made from raw milk in small batches. The job of the cheese-maker is not only to transform milk into cheese but to preserve as much of that fragrant flavour as possible during the process. That is why they use simple, old-fashioned recipes. All of their cheeses develop natural rinds because they believe that good cheese, like good wine, needs to breathe.
Some favourite pairings:
Pinot Blanc & White Moon: White Moon is a surface-ripened bloomy rind cheese, milder than a Camembert. The easiness of the Camembert works well with the pear and apricot flavours that come through in the Pinot Blanc. The rich mouth feel of the Pinot Blanc compliments the richness of the Camembert.
Sauvignon Blanc & Savoury Moon: Savoury Moon is dusted with organic summer savoury following a great tradition from the south of France. The herb infuses the cheese inside the breathable wrapper giving a woodsy, herbal note to the cheese. This herby earthiness marries well with the crisp and clean Sauvignon Blanc.
Gamay Noir & Ash Ripened Camembert: This earthy creamy cheese works well with the juicy vibrant acidity that is Gamay Noir. Try it with some savory crackers and a little berry compote.
Pinot Gris & Tomme d'Or: Tomme d'Or is a cooked curd cheese similar to the Alpine cheeses of Europe. Made to age long, it becomes a grating cheese when it is over a year old. Made from raw milk, the curd is very slowly heated so that the curds shrink and mat to form a smooth, buttery texture that becomes increasingly firm with age. The nutty flavour of this cheese will lend itself to the Pinot Gris's acidity and notes of stone fruit. Enjoy with a spicy peach marmalade.
During the summer months, you can find their cheeses at the Salt Spring Saturday Market and at the Tuesday Farmer’s market from 2-6 pm.
The farm store is open Mon-Sat from 11-4pm (but only softly open on Sundays for those who are truly desperate).
Moonstruck Cheese
Email: julia@moonstruckcheese.com
By Phone: 250-537-4987
Nov 25, 2014 at 10:00 AM
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Holiday Cheer Open House Weekend, Okanagan Falls
Join the wineries of Okanagan Falls this holiday season for our open house weekend in the “Heart of Wine Country”!
Come visit our 12 wineries for your holiday gifting ideas, food pairings and sample our delicious wines! Join us amidst our decorated wine shops and vineyards while enjoying delicious holiday treats and exclusive features from each winery. We invite you to come celebrate the season at Blue Mountain Winery with some bubbly and our delicious truffle popcorn.
Take part in our photo scavenger hunt for your chance to win a private wine tour for two with Top Cat Tours!
Full contest details online at ofwa.ca/contest
Each winery will open their doors from 11AM to 5PM on Saturday November 29th and Sunday November 30th. Admission is free.
Participating wineries include:
Blasted Church Vineyards
Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars
Krāzē Legz Vineyard and Winery
Liquidity Wines
Meyer Family Vineyards
Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery
Painted Rock Estate Winery
See Ya Later Ranch
Stag’s Hollow Winery and Vineyard
Synchromesh Wines
Topshelf Winery Ltd.
Wild Goose Vineyards and Winery
Check back for more details on winery features and promotions!
Want to book a shuttle for the event? Have a look at our list of tour operators in the area!
The Holiday Cheer Open House is one of 5 winery association events that invites guests to spend a weekend in BC wine country! Visit winterwineevents.com for further details on all the winery events from November 29th through December 7th!
Nov 13, 2014 at 10:00 AM
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Where to find our wines - in Ontario
Available in Ontario are two of Blue Mountain's wines. Found in the LCBO Vintages, check their website to look up availability and find an outlet near you.
NV Brut Sparkling reviewed by Beppi Crosariol in the Globe and Mail:
"Just released in Ontario Vintages stores and also available direct from the winery, this non-vintage bubbly from one of Canada’s top Champagne-style producers is superb. A blend of mostly pinot noir with chardonnay and pinot gris, it’s bone-dry, rich and creamy, with a sherry-like tang and bread-like autolysis essence. Wonderfully yeasty, honeyed depth; $23.90 direct from the B.C. winery bluemountainwinery.com."
Score 93 - Beppi Crosariol, globeandmail.com, October 2014
Blue Mountain 2012 Chardonnay reviewed by Beppi Crosariol in the Globe and Mail:
"Medium-bodied and firm in the best sense, this serious white displays peach and tropical fruit drizzled with toffee, lifted by lemony acidity and subtle toastiness. Marvellous."
Score 91 - Beppi Crosariol, The Globe and Mail, April 30, 2014)
Be sure to tell your friends and family in Ontario about these BC wines available in their local LCBO.
Nov 6, 2014 at 10:00 AM
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R.D. - Recently Disgorged
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Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines goes through a primary fermentation in the tank and a second fermentation in the bottle. Once the wine goes through its second fermentation in bottle it is left to age on its lees, the dead yeast cells. At this time, the sparkling wine continues to age for several more years resulting in a toasty, yeasty characteristic.
Next we need to disgorge, remove the yeast cells from the wine and then it will be ready to drink. This is when we will date the disgorgement date on the label and it is titled R.D.
This special aging on the lees allows the wine to maintain a unique combination of freshness and liveliness, while developing delicate and complex aromas. Sparkling wines benefit from a prolonged maturation on its lees reinforcing the aromatic subtlety and complexity of the final wine.
Below is our disgorging line. The first image shows all of the sparkling bottles with their necks down in a glycol bath. Whereas the next image is the bottling line where the dosage is added.
Next time you pick up a bottle of sparkling wine please go ahead and take a look at the label and look for the disgorgment date!
Cheers!
Oct 23, 2014 at 10:00 AM
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Sparkling goes with everything!
The old adage is sparkling with everything. But is that really true?
When pairing sparkling wine and food the acidity of the wine is key. There are some classic pairings – caviar, oysters – but there are also more unexpected foods that might surprise you.
Potato Chips - Take a lesson from the Brits, the crunch, saltiness and fattiness of a great potato chip will sing with a sparkling wine with some good acidity. Sparkling Rose is also an extraordinary match, both will make the other better.
Sushi and an extra dry sparkling refreshes the palate between bites of raw fish and delicate sushi rice. Some of the compatibility comes from the high yeast content of both Sparkling and soy sauce.
Indian Food! Crunchy poppadoms can be perfect with Sparkling. Makes a great snack or starter, kick it up with some mint sauce, mango chutney or raita.
Breakfast, more specifically eggs, a rich eggs benny and your favorite sparkling are the best way to start your day.
Cheeses - Full-bodied Sparkling pair quite well with hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Gouda and Parmesan while lighter bodied Sparkling complement soft cheeses such as goat cheese and brie.
Fish n Chips, another British specialty. The mousse or fizz of the bubbly work with the crispy skin of the chips and the acidity again cuts through the oil in the batter. Casual but elegant.
Fruit, different types of fruit naturally, sit better with different types of Sparkling. At the top of the fruit list are berries. They lend a sweetness to the palate that accompanies the flavour of a light sparkling. Stone fruits such as peaches and plums can also pick out some of the flavours in Sparkling.
Sparkling does go with everything but try it for yourself. Experiment with a wide range of foods. You could even host a party where everyone needs to bring bubble and something to try with it. Either way it is meant to be fun. Let us know what your favourite pairings are with sparkling wine. Most importantly enjoy!
Our 2010 Brut Rosé R.D., 2007 Blanc de Blancs and 2006 Reserve Brut will be released on Monday, October 27th. Check back next Tuesday for Chantelle's blog, "Where to enjoy a glass of Blue Mountain Sparkling in the Lower Mainland and Whistler".
Oct 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM
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Where to enjoy a glass of Blue Mountain Sparkling wine in the Okanagan
Looking for a spot in the Okanagan to enjoy a glass of Blue Mountain Sparkling?
PENTICTON
3625 1st Street, Naramata l T. (250) 496-6808
Vanilla Pod at Poplar Grove Winery
425 Middle Bench Road, North Penticton l T. (250) 493-9463
KELOWNA
231 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna BC l T. (778) 484-6994
#105 -1180 Sunset Drive, Kelowna l T. (250) 763-6595
1451 Ellis Street, Kelowna l T. (250) 763-3110
3303 Boucherie Road, West Kelowna l T. (250) 769-4451
1560 Water Street, Kelowna l T. (250) 868-8805
#104 – 1180 Sunset Drive, Kelowna l T. (250) 979 1222
VERNON
888 Sparkling Place, Vernon l T. (877) 275-1556
Check back on Tuesday for Julie's blog on Sparkling wine pairings, "Sparkling goes with everything!"
Cheers!
Oct 9, 2014 at 10:00 AM
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