One of our favourite wineries on the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver is Road 13. The family behind the winery, The Luckhursts, are so nice and always make their guests feel right at home while tasting their award-winning wines. This winery is home to the iconic castle in the Okanagan (truly- one of a kind) but also features an executive tasting lounge for more formal, educational tastings- which we highly recommend! Also, this summer they will be serving up the originally Frose in the executive lounge. This alone is a reason to visit on a hot Okanagan day.
Their moto “it’s all about the dirt” is important because they feel everything happens in the vineyard. And, they have been blessed with their prime location of vineyards right off the Golden Mile Bench- BC’s first sub-region.
They just released some new vintages and we were lucky enough to get a taste of the spring releases.
Up first was the Honest John’s White. We’ve tried this wine year after year and it never disappoints. A great bottle to chill and enjoy on a summer night. It consists of Chardonnay (57%), Pinot Gris (27%), Chenin Blanc (7%), Kerner (5%), Viognier (2%) and Orange Muscat (2%). And, best thing- you can purchase this at your local BCL.
Then, we tried their Honest John’s Rose. You all know I am a sucker for a delicious Rose and this one is iconic- its what started the very famous, Frose cocktail, in the first place! I’d say, this one is more sweet, with strawberry and cherry notes. It consists of majority Merlot (70.5%), Gamay Noir (19%), Viognier (4.9%), Syrah (4.1%), Pinot Noir (1%) and a touch of Cabernet Franc (.5%). I personally enjoyed this bottle on Mother’s Day with my mother-in-law on a boat touring Bowen Island. It really was a perfect bottle to enjoy on the ocean!
Finally, we tasted our favourite of the 3, the Chip off the Old Block Chenin Blanc. This was not the first time I heard Chenin Blanc and Road 13 in the same sentence. This is the grape that makes up their traditional method sparkling wine- which is one of my favourite in the valley. And this year, the original Chenin block turned 50! The grapes in the Chip off the Old Block was planted in 2011 with cuttings from Chenin Blanc senior. Only 348 cases were produced and its a winery-only exclusive- one great reason to visit very soon!
Be sure to mark your calendar for some great winery events happening this summer including:
Road 13 Dinners in the executive tasting lounge
- 4 course meal prepared by Chef Chris Van Hooydonk of Backyard Farm
- Dates: July 21, August 18, September 29 and October 6
- Time: 6:15pm
- Tickets $149 per person + taxes: includes dinner, wine pairings and a shuttle from Oliver & Osoyoos
Class in a Glass Paint Party
- Grab a glass, a paintbrush and roll up your sleeves learning from Laura Luckhurst
- Take home your beautiful masterpiece
- Dates: July 5, July 26, August 9, August 12 and October 2
- Tickets $55 per person + includes all materials and a glass of wine!
Enjoy mouth-watering gourmet bites prepared by some of BC’s most renowned chefs and restaurants from the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver, paired with a selection of fine wines from Oliver’s Golden Mile Bench. The event includes an exclusive viewing of Science World’s newest feature exhibition The Science Behind Pixar, a battle for the Best Dish, food and wine pairing demos, a silent auction, a charitable tax receipt for $50 and fun, hands-on Science World activities.