The GOODS from Lake Breeze

Naramata, BC | Lake Breeze Vineyards is pleased to announce the release of their first 2013 vintage white wines including Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Ehrenfelser, and their Winemaker Series. Winemaker and President of Lake Breeze Vineyards, Garron Elmes comments, “I believe that the wines from the 2013 vintage are some our best ever.” Of the Winemaker Series, which launched so successfully last year, Garron adds, “We are shifting this year from predominantly varietal wines to wines that showcase the art of blending.” Lake Breeze’s immensely popular Windfall is joined this year by The Spice Jar, which is an aromatic and spicy blend of Gewurztraminer, Viognier and Schonburger.

Garron continues: “The 2013 vintage started out as an extremely challenging one. High humidity, late rainfall and extremely high pest pressure, particularly wasps, resulted in a perfect storm of conditions that were conducive to grape disease. Fortunately, once the picking began things improved and our vineyards yielded exceptional quality fruit again. After the initial scare, harvest progressed incredibly smoothly for us. I am extremely happy with the quality of the 2013 wines and am excited to share them with consumers.”

The 2013 vintage is already being acknowledged with awards. At the 2014 All Canadian Wine Championships medals were received as follows: two Gold Medals for the 2013 Pinot Blanc and the Ehrenfelser, a Silver medal for The Spice Jar, and a Bronze for the Pinot Gris.

Lake Breeze is also pleased to announce that their Patio Restaurant kitchen has been upgraded for the season, a move that dramatically increases seating capacity. Chef Mark Ashton and his team will continue to serve memorable winery dining experiences, featuring breads made in their kitchen and local products that showcase the seasonally-inspired menu. Lake Breeze is also a proud participant in the Ocean Wise™ program promoting sustainable seafood.

Details

930 Sammet Road, Naramata, BC, V0H 1N0.
Telephone: 250-496-5659
Web: www.lakebreeze.ca | Facebook | Twitter

Gallery

KEY PEOPLE

General Manager: Launa Maundrell
Wine Maker: Garron Elmes
Chef: Mark Ashton
Wineshop Manager: Ginette Schirrmeister

About Lake Breeze Vineyards

Lake Breeze Vineyards is located in Naramata, British Columbia, 12 kilometres north of Penticton on Naramata Road in the south central Okanagan Valley. It was built in 1996 and named Lake Breeze for the winds that blow across the bluffs year round. The first vines on the property were planted in 1985, making them some of the oldest on the Naramata Bench. The mature vines, coupled with a predominantly westerly aspect ensure plenty of sun exposure and ideal ripening conditions.

Lake Breeze was the first winery to plant and make wine from Pinotage, a native South African variety created from a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Although production is extremely limited, this remains a wine of which we are extremely proud. The current owners purchased the property in 2001 and since then have grown the operation from less than 3,000 cases a year to over 10,000.

At Lake Breeze we believe that our wines should be an experience encompassing the property, the people, the vines, the dog, as well as the wines themselves. We try to create a connection to the place that can be experienced each time you open one of our wines – no matter where you might be.

RECENT AWARDS

Best Red Wine of The Year at the All Canadian Wine Awards with its 2008 Tempest. Lake Breeze also won Gold for its 2011 Semillon; two Silver awards for its 2011 Seven Poplar Sauvignon Blanc and 2009 Seven Poplars Pinot Noir; and two Bronzes for its 2011 Pinot Gris and 2011 Pinot Blanc.

At the Northwest Wine Summit, Lake Breeze was honoured to receive the Gold Award for its 2011 Seven Poplars Sauvignon Blanc. The winery was also thrilled to accept three Best of Varietal Awards at the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival for its 2011 Pinot Blanc, Semillon and Gewürztraminer. As well they were finalists at the Festival in the Pinot Noir, Sparkling and Sauvignon Blanc categories.

The Globe, Sept 6, 2012, Kasey Wilson – Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Pinot Noir 2009, BC VQA Okanagan Valley $25, Despite what many say, some of the best Canadian wines are underpriced. Take winemaker Garron Elmes’ soft, fragrant Pinot Noir, which over-delivers with an appealing dryness (as opposed to sweetness in most inexpensive pinots) and a lush texture. This is a mouthful of beguiling red fruit, sourced from older vines on the Lake Breeze vineyards in Naramata and a young planting in Summerland.