Although recreational tourism is still out of the question, many of us have all the time in the world to daydream of the day we can travel where we please.
For wine fans, Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley is a perfect place to plan a driving holiday. It’s only four hours from Richmond. One of the more down-to-earth places that gets you off the beaten track, is The View Winery & Vineyard in South East Kelowna.
The View President, Jennifer Molgat opened the winery on her family’s fifth generation property in 2006. It’s nestled between rolling apple orchards and vines on land that’s been in the family since 1918!
If you’re tired of viewing mansion wineries packed with tourists, The View is welcome relief. Perhaps it's the authenticity of a wine shop, once the historical apple packinghouse, surrounded by the sights and smells of winemaking in progress.
Or it's the rustic elegance of rough-hewn timbers, vintage brickwork, and the smell of one hundred years of history within the winery’s walls. But it’s surely the casual friendliness of their staff, from president Jennifer Molgat down to the knowledgeable and enthusiastic team at the wine and cider bar
The View’s winemaker, Kristy French produces cool climate varieties: white Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Ehrenfelser, and Pinot Gris, plus red Pinotage and Pinot Noir.
If you want to enjoy a unique wine, try The View’s Pinotage Reserve ($25.95). It’s a hybrid grape that was developed in South Africa from a cross between the silky Pinot Noir with the aromatic Cinsault. Think of Pinotage as a robust Pinot Noir with more colour, body, and flavour.
In the glass the Pinotage exhibits a deep dark red colour, foretelling its bolder character than a Pinot Noir. It has a bouquet of ripe plums and black cherries with a pleasant woodsy aroma and a whiff of smoke. There’s a medium body with mature tannins plus plum and cherry fruit, some spice and a meaty character.
To salute its South African origins, the View Pinotage Reserve could be enjoyed with barbecued Boerewors (Boer Beef Sausage) or Bobotie (a sweet curried ground beef meatloaf with egg custard on top).
Be sure to decant it several hours before serving. I was impressed by how more of its character was revealed in a positive way four days after I opened it!
When you’re finally able to travel to The View, try their Pinot Noir to compare it with the Pinotage Reserve. If you enjoy Riesling, The View makes a delicious one with ripe green apple and vibrant acidity.
And to add sparkle to your visit, pick up some Distraction Frizzante ($19.95) a fruit forward dry bubbly made from Pinotage, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Ehrenfelser.
With part of their property still an apple orchard, its not surprising that you’ll find apple cider for sale under the Wards Cider label. George Ward was the original settler of the property. There are a variety of ciders to enjoy but my favourite was Wards Dry Hopped ($8.95) using the same hops used to make IPA’s.
In the meantime you can order online at The View Winery .Check if April’s free delivery offer is still valid. Thanks for viewing!
Eric Hanson is a life-long Richmond resident, retired teacher and wine educator. Eric has also taught wine appreciation courses in Richmond and throughout Metro Vancouver for many years. He continues to be a journalistic ambassador for the enchanting world of wine through his weekly column.
