The GOODS from Okanagan Crush Pad

Summerland, BC | Okanagan Crush Pad winery in Summerland, BC introduced the Okanagan Wine Campus series in 2011, in an effort to further British Columbia’s already rich wine-and-food culture. This philanthropic program aims to foster the education of professionals in the industry by connecting all facets of the wine industry, from budding professionals to industry leaders.

Each year, the winery opens its doors to the recipient of the British Columbia Sommelier of the Year award, and invites that person to create his or her own wine label at Okanagan Crush Pad. The Sommelier of the Year award has long been regarded as an industry nod to an individual who is recognized by their peers to be top in their field.

The winners of this coveted Okanagan Wine Campus award takes part in the full decision-making process that is involved in creating a wine label, from viticulture, grape selection and winemaking, to the final blending, labeling, marketing, and bottling process. The result is a unique 100-case production from which profits are redirected.

The proceeds from the sale of Wine Campus projects are donated annually to the BC Hospitality Foundation. These funds are put toward scholarships for students enrolled in recognized, accredited wine programs in British Columbia. To date, $20,000 has been awarded to 16 individuals with further scholarships.

Mike Bernardo is currently Director of Operations and Wine Director for the Vij’s Companies. He has led the Vij’s wine program to win several awards, including the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and Gold Prize for best wine list from Vancouver Magazine. In 2014, Mike won The Vancouver International Wine Festival and the Vancouver Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year awards. Mike was inducted into the B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame, Industry Front of House. This makes him tied for the youngest Inductee into the Hall of Fame.

The Mike B Riesling Cabinett ($24.90) is from a small vineyard on Tucelnuit Drive in Oliver. The wine was made in stainless steel and concrete tanks to build complexity and showcase bright acid and mineral style. Lemons, lime, and pure fresh Okanagan minerality all lead to a Riesling with a bracing zing and a touch of residual sugar. A perfect match to Indian cuisine or for casual sipping.

This wine is a natural expression of the fruit we were working with and the real hard work was done in the vineyard, noted Bernado. “We let it do its own thing, wild fermentation and no intervention. We were aiming for a style that was off dry with big bright acids – it’s all about the balance. I’m totally happy with the results”.

Now Available in Stores and at Restaurants:

Brewery Creek Liquor Store
Legacy Liquor Store
Marquis Wine Cellars
My Shanti Restaurant
Vij’s Restaurant
Sutra Restaurant

Details

16576 Fosbery Road, Summerland, BC | V0H 1Z6
Winery phone: 250-494-4445 | Order wine: 604-800-3738 [email protected]
Web: www.okanagancrushpad.com | Facebook | Twitter
Order wine: 604-800-0601 | [email protected]

Gallery

The People

Christine Coletta, Owner
Steve Lornie, Owner
Matt Dumayne, Chief Winemaker
Jordan Kubek, Sparkling Winemaker
Julian Scholefield, Operations Manager
David Scholefield, Wine advisor
Alberto Antonini, Consulting viticulturist & winemaker
Leeann Froese, Marketing and Communications
Alison Scholefield, Brand Manager
Whitney Law, order desk and THE Club @ Crush Pad

About Okanagan Crush Pad

Okanagan Crush Pad, producer of Haywire and Narrative wines, is quickly building a reputation as one of the premium producers in the Okanagan. The winemaking team includes world renowned Tuscan-based consultant Alberto Antonini, wine expert David Scholefield, and winemaker Matt Dumayne.

Located in beautiful Summerland, BC, the winery overlooks Switchback vineyard, an organic site that is also home to roaming sheep and chickens. Okanagan Crush Pad crafts wines that are symbolic of the region’s unique high mountain/northern desert setting which has an intensely hot, short growing season with hallmark cool evenings.

The winery is the first in Canada to extensively use concrete tanks and wines that are fermented and aged in concrete carry the Raised in Concrete™ designation. Visitors to the guest center, built right into the heart of the production facility, get a rare glance into the art of winemaking.

Tasting Lounge & Wine Shop Hours of Operation

April – May | Open Thursday – Sunday from 10:30am to 5:30pm
June – October | Open daily from 10:30am to 5:30pm
October 15 – December 15 | Open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm

Off Season | Outside the above noted times our wine shop is always open for purchases by appointment.
Please call ahead so that we can be sure someone is available to assist you: (250) 494-4445 ext 1

Accolades

Haywire Gamay Noir Rosé 2013 | Vancouver Magazine Top 100 Category Award Wine for Best Rosé Wine. “Okanagan Crush Pad is at the forefront of innovation in B.C., with superstar consultants Alberto Antonini and terroir expert Pedro Parra helping define new directions. Light, crisp, and bone dry, our best rosé combines the juicy berry fruit of gamay and savoury, herbal aromas of the Okanagan. Seriously structured and ageable, it is a lovely expression of our unique climate. Its tart finish is perfect for Dungeness crab cakes or melty grilled cheese sandwiches.”

Haywire Canyonview Pinot Noir 2011 | Lieutenant Governor’s Award Winner 2014 for Excellence in BC Wines. 91 points by Tim Pawsey. “One of just 12 wines awarded in this year’s B.C. Lieutenant Governor’s Awards, from low yield, with judicious use of used French oak, dark cherry notes with some mineral hints, well-structured but very approachable (91 points, $35 from the winery (haywirewinery here.com). – See more.

Haywire Wild Ferment Pinot Gris 2012 | 92 points by John Schreiner. “Haywire Switchback Vineyard Wild Ferment ($29.90). This is 100% Pinot Gris but the varietal has been omitted from the label. The winery is trying to establish its organic Switchback Vineyard as a stand-alone brand. Think Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, which does not put the varietal on its label either. This is a richly textured wine with aromas of honeysuckle and herbs and flavours of pear and citrus. The finish lingers.”