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2012 Merlot, Seven Poplars Pinot Noir & Meritage Released By “Lake Breeze”

Lake Breeze Vineyards is located at 930 Sammet Rd in beautiful Naramata, BC | 250.496.5659 | www.lakebreeze.ca

The GOODS from Lake Breeze

Naramata, BC | Garron Elmes, President and Winemaker at Lake Breeze Vineyards, is pleased to announce the current wine releases for this fall which are now available – the 2012 Merlot, 2012 Seven Poplars Pinot Noir and 2012 Meritage, see production notes below. And, harvest has arrived at Lake Breeze Vineyards.

After 19 harvests at Lake Breeze, Garron comments, “This year has been one of the best growing seasons that I can remember. Temperatures were warm but not scorching and we have had very little rain or pest pressure. We are kicking harvest off with picking the Sauvignon Blanc this week and from there I anticipate that the rest of the harvest will progress swiftly. The fruit is ripening beautifully and it is now up to the winemaking team to turn that into great wines. We look forward to the release of these wines starting in spring 2015.” Details after the jump.

The 2012 Meritage (0 dry) is a rich, full red with delicious berry fruit aromas and flavours. A blend of 45% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, this wine has great structure, ripe berry flavours and is an incredible value for the age-worthy Meritage. This wine has been awarded SILVER at the 2014 Los Angeles International Wine Awards, BRONZE at the 2014 NorthWest Wine Summit and BRONZE at the 2014 Riverside, California, International Wine Competition. $20.

The 2012 Merlot (0 dry) is a full, lush Merlot that presents on the palate dark, smooth, berry fruit and spicy oak. Good with a variety of meats, cheeses, or just on its own. This wine won SILVER at the 2014 Riverside CA International Wine Competition. $19.

The 2012 Seven Poplars Pinot Noir (0 dry) has predominant aromas of raspberry, black cherry and anise with an earthy background. It is a well-structured wine designed for food. This wine has been acknowledged with GOLD at the 2014 Riverside, California, International Wine Competition, BEST OF VARIETAL at the 2013 Okanagan Spring Wine Festival, and SILVER at the 2013 NorthWest Wine Summit. $26.

NOTE: The Lake Breeze Cellar Dinner, Saturday, October 4, is SOLD OUT.

Details

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

Gallery

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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.