A deeper appreciation of this intricate wine region can be found through Watermark’s thoughtfully curated selection of winter wines. The winter season is the best time to step back and enjoy peaceful moments of relaxation. With quiet skies and the tranquil beauty of fresh snowfall, these moments can be enhanced by the right choice of wine. Even the simplest evenings can be turned into extraordinary wonders with a perfectly paired winter wine.
Watermark’s Winter Wine Pick For February
Highlighting A Big Red Petit Verdot
The chilliest days of the year have settled in the Okanagan Valley. When the wind is cold, a bold glass of red is just what the weather calls for! One of the biggest red varietals we have in the valley is Petit Verdot. This grape, which is typically used in big red bordeaux blends, is also commonly done as a single varietal.
Moon Curser Vineyards
A great example of Petit Verdot is the 2020 vintage from Moon Curser, grown right here in Osoyoos. There is a lot of complexity in this full-bodied, deep purple wine. It has a floral nose of lilac and rose petals, and on the palate you get chocolate, fig and a touch of cedar. The wine has big tannins and lots of acidity, but is well-balanced for a smooth finish.
We recommend trying this wine with our Beef Bourguignon on our winter dinner menu at 15 Park Bistro.
Watermark’s Winter Wine Picks For January
Great Wines In The Cellar Of 15 Park Bistro
This month we’re focusing on some great wines in the cellar of 15 Park Bistro, from wineries that no longer have a presence in the Okanagan Valley.
The wine industry is constantly evolving. As wineries change hands and certain brands disappear, it becomes an opportunity to explore your cellar and reminisce on vintages that live on in storage and in memory.
Red Horses
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Horses Vineyard is one of such wines. Planted in a residential area of Oliver in 2009, this vineyard gambled on Cabernet Sauvignon, which ripened reliably every year. Each vintage of the Cabernet Sauvignon excelled, becoming one of the better wines of this varietal in the valley.
With flavours of cherry, raspberry and a bit of oak, this wine is well-balanced, but could benefit from decanting. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a touch lighter than what you might be used to but holds up very well and is now impossible to find.
Red Horses Vineyard ultimately closed in April 2024 so the owners could be closer to family.
Plot Wines
Another wine that we acquired just as the winery was closing down its operations is the 2020 Tempranillo from Plot Wines in Kaleden.
Plot Wines were wild-fermented and unfiltered. The fining was done using an old egg white technique, a process they achieved using eggs from chickens raised on their own farm. This is a great Tempranillo and although lighter than what you would get out of Spain, still has bright raspberry flavours with a hint of sage. The acidity on the Tempranillo is balanced and the wine will certainly hold up in the bottle for a few more years.
Only 800 bottles were ever made and we’re lucky to have some of them! Okanagan Tempranillo is a rare find, and Plot really nailed this vintage. Coming from such a small winery open for a short period of time, most people don’t realize what kind of gem this wine is.
Watermark’s Winter Wine Picks For December
Winter Shines A Spotlight On Gamay Noir
We’re kicking off our winter wines series with a regional vintage made from the Gamay grape. This red varietal, often linked to France’s Beaujolais region, also produces excellent wines in the Okanagan Valley.
Gamay is lighter than many red varietals you may know. Though often blended with Pinot Noir, it offers a distinct flavour profile. Winemakers use similar techniques for both, but Gamay wines tend to be slightly more floral than Pinot Noir.
Vin Amité Cellars
A very well known Gamay Noir in the South Okanagan region comes from Vin Amité Cellars. This wine, best served slightly chilled, evokes flavours of cranberry and cherry pie, with light tannins. Vin Amité’s winemakers use a touch of oak when creating the Vin Amité Gamay Noir, but by no means does it deliver an ‘oaky’ flavour.
Orofino Vineyards
Our second Gamay Noir grape feature is the Orofino “PTG,” short for “Passe-Tout-Grains.” In a process of co-fermentation Orofino Vineyards did a great job of combining Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir for a trademark cherry flavour, with more structure and better mouth feel than Gamay on its own.
Orofino, located in the Similkameen valley, bottles this wine unfined and unfiltered. Their PTG is meant to be enjoyed while the wine is still young, as the tannins are already quite soft right from bottling with light acid. Try this wine with our new Choucroute Garnie on the 15 Park Bistro dinner menu.
Uncork A New Favourite This Winter Season
As the surrounding hills of the South Okanagan glisten with the arrival of fresh snow, there exists a perfect moment to savour exceptional wines of the region. From fireside evenings to shared company around the table, our featured wines are the perfect accompaniment to your winter celebrations.
Discover these featured wines and more on your next visit to 15 Park Bistro, proudly located at Watermark Beach Resort. Browse our menu and book your next dine out experience with us today!
