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GOODS: Del & Miranda Of Elephant Island Launching “UnConventional Wisdom” Brand

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Elephant Island is located at 2730 Aikins Loop in Naramata BC | 250.496.5522 | www.elephantislandwine.com

The GOODS from Elephant Island

Naramata, BC | Genius or madness? Given the trajectory of their post university careers, Miranda + Del Halladay would argue their pursuit of original thinking requires a strong dose of both. Launching Elephant Island Orchard Wines cracked the seal on unconventional winemaking style in BC. Fans and critics alike have their opinion on which camp Elephant Island should be categorized. Eleven vintages later enter stage left: UnConventional Wisdom – a new brand launched by Del + Miranda.

Focused exclusively on grapes they planted on their home property in 2006, UnConventional Wisdom morphed from a desire after 10 years in the BC wine industry to keep inspired and challenged … and maybe just a bit from the competitive nature of the two to silence the audience that says they don’t make ‘real’ wine. “Told you so”, (Viognier), and Naysayers (Cabernet Franc) give a nod to the couple’s roots at Elephant Island. The deliberate selection of Viognier and Cabernet Franc for their site on the Naramata Bench embraced the risks of these hard-to-work with, but potentially rewarding varietals.

Production of UnConventional Wisdom will remain small: “This is about sharing a wine that we grow from the ground to the bottle. On 3 acres, our production will cap out at 500 cases between the two varietals … when mother nature cooperates. Given the delay on the 2011 harvest we may be leaning towards the thought that planting chronically late ripening varieties of Cab Franc and Viognier was madness”.

At the end of the bottle, UnConventional Wisdom pays homage to the influence provided by Miranda’s grandmother Catherine, one of Canada’s first female architects. Her presence has created a healthy respect for those individuals that swim against the tide (check out unconventionalwisdom.ca), and her vision in acquiring property on the Naramata Bench. Now, if getting unconventionally wise were only as easy as drinking it!Unconventional Wisdom

RR1 S5 C18, Naramata, BC, V0H 1N0
T 250.496.5522
UnConventionalWisdom.ca

TO PURCHASE UnCONVENTIONAL WISDOM

The UnConventional Wisdom brand is available online at unconventionalwisdom.ca, through the Tasting Room at Elephant Island and at select retailers in Vancouver, Victoria and in the Okanagan. For a complete list of partners please visit the website: unconventionalwisdom.ca

ABOUT ELEPHANT ISLAND ORCHARD WINES

  • Elephant Island Orchard Wines | Miranda & Del Halladay
  • Elephant Island Orchard Wines | Pink Elephant
  • Elephant Island Orchard Wines
  • Elephant Island Orchard Wines | Pink Elephant
  • Elephant Island Orchard Wines
  • Elephant Island Orchard Wines
  • Elephant Island Orchard Wines

Elephant Island Orchard Wines Ltd. was founded in 1999 by Miranda and Del Halladay. The winery is located on the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley, arguably one of the premier growing areas of Canada. The first winery in the Valley to specialize exclusively in the production of wines made from fruits other than grapes, Elephant Island has led the way crafting fine fruit wines using classic grape wine production processes. The winery currently produces 6,000 cases of wines from seven varieties of fruit. Styles range from dry red and white table wines to methode traditionelle sparkling wine. Elephant Island wines are available in restaurants and wine stores throughout BC