Food & Drink posted Apr 4, 2025 @ 05:00pm by Steve MacNaull

Wine column: From challenge and unpredictability comes pride and accomplishment

Winemaker Mary McDermott's spring newsletter is philosophical and pragmatic, optimistic and cautious -- all at the same time.

"Each time I write this letter, I reflect on the challenges we've faced and those still ahead," said the winemaker from Township 7 on the Naramata Bench.

"It's alway remarkable how unpredictable this industry can be. We work tirelessly to prepare for the future, yet the obstacles never cease to surprise us."

While McDermott didn't get into specifics, surely, she's speaking of the cold snaps that reduced the grape crops by half in 2023 and almost wiped it out in 2024.

And now there's a trade war with the US -- another unexpected hurdle.

<who>Photo credit: Township 7 Winery</who>Mary McDermott is the winemaker at Township 7 on the Naramata Bench.

"Now, more than ever, we are coming together as a business, an industry and a country to support and protect our own," continued McDermott.

"I want to personally thank you for standing by us. Your continued support means everything. I am incredibly proud of what we've accomplished at Township 7 and thrilled to share our exciting new spring releases with you."

The first batch of spring releases from Township 7 are 2022 and 2023 vintage wines made of Okanagan grapes.

<who>Photo credit: Steve MacNaull/NowMedia Group</who>New spring releases from Township 7, from left, Benchmark Series 2023 Viognier ($31), Benchmark Series 2022 Gewurztraminer ($30), Benchmark Series 2021 Reserve 7 ($45) and Provenance Series 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ($34).

They are:

- 2023 Benchmark Series Viognier ($31)

This Viognier serves up exotic aromas and flavours of fuzzy peach, tangerine and honeysuckle.

- 2022 Benchmark Series Gewurztraminer ($30)

Another exotic offering, highly aromatic and perfumed with a lychee-orange-honey-ginger profile.

- 2022 Provenance Series Cabernet Sauvignon ($34)

With just a splash of Merlot blended in, resulting in a soft, rich and smooth red.

- 2021 Benchmark Series Reserve 7 ($45)

A premium red of expertly blended Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

To deal with the no-BC-grapes-in-2024 crisis, Township 7, like many other Okanagan wineries, imported grapes from Washington state and California to make 'crafted in BC' wines.

Township 7's upcoming releases of 2024 wines made from American grapes is called 'Interlude' -- an indication that this vintage is an 'interlude' before production of 100% BC wines resumes later this year with harvest 2025.

Under the Interlude label, Township 7 will release a Rose on May 9, Pinot Gris on May 16, Sauvignon Blanc on June 13 and Viognier in August.

<who>Photo credit: Tinhorn Creek Winery</who>Tinhorn Creek Winery in Oliver will have three concerts in its outdoor amphitheatre this summer.

Tinhorn's Concert Series

Tinhorn Creek Winery in Oliver has set the stage for another summer of concerts in the vineyard.

R&B singer Krystle Dos Santos appears May 31, country-rocker Antonio Larosa is on for July 18 and indie rockers Said The Whale finishes up the Concert Series on Sept. 13.

General admission tickets range from $65 to $95 and the $150 VIP Experience includes wine, food and a shuttle service from Oliver and Osoyoos.

Get more information and tickets here: https://www.tinhorn.com/sunset-concert-series-page/

Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at smacnaull@nowmediagroup.ca. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.

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