Producer Overview:
The Stewart Family, a third generation pioneering Canadian wine family, first planted vines at their Okanagan Valley estate in 1961. With more than a half century of experience in viticulture and winemaking, the family appreciates the intricacies of farming premium vineyards to craft fine wine and brings together a portfolio of luxury wine brands including Valley of the Moon, Lake Sonoma Winery, and Quails’ Gate Winery.
Chardonnay
A beautifully crafted wine with the vast majority kept in stainless steel to maintain the bright, fresh, vivid fruit notes. A small percentage was kept in older oak to add texture, mouthfeel and subtle oak influences. Pale lemon in the glass, expect aromas of ripe orchard fruit, brioche and a hint of minerality. The palate is bursting with bright stone fruit flavours along with a hint of butterscotch and citrus. This wine has very good intensity, a nice texture and beautiful mouthwatering acidity. This is a wonderfully versatile food wine. Try pairing with lemon roasted chicken, seafood risotto, or creamy butternut squash soup.
Chardonnay Reserve
A flagship white wine at Quails’ Gate, the Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay has a reputation for quality and consistency. A rich wine, the palate bursts with vibrant orchard fruit and an elegant charm. On the nose, notes of tangerine zest, orange blossom, dried sage and buttery shortbread. It is very well balanced with alluring fruit aromas, a refreshing acidity and lingering stony minerality.
Pinot Noir
Classic cool climate Pinot Noir with aromas of cherry, plum, wild strawberry and violets. Medium in body, the palate shows more of those red fruits with a touch of clove, dried herbs and cocoa. Fine yet firm tannins lead to an elegant savoury cherry finish. An ideal match for late season mushroom or squash risotto, seared game meats or roasted pork with wild rice and root vegetables. Best enjoyed in Burgundy stemware to enhance aromatics.
Pinot Noir Reserve
This wine represents an exclusive blend of the best and oldest Dijon Clones from the estate. Blended from 16-year-old, well-attended Dijon clones 115 and 667, this wine is aged in gross lees in French oak for 10 months of which 60% are new and 40% are 1 year old. Notably Burgundian in its presentation, this wine has a fruity attack with dried red cherries, forest floor and mocha notes on the silky finish.