The GOODS from Daydreamer Wines

Penticton, BC | 2015 was a big year for Daydreamer Wines, a small family run winery based on the beautiful Naramata Bench. Since starting the small winery in 2013, Daydreamer has grown in production, awards and most recently, owner/winemaker Marcus Ansems became the 5th Master of Wine (MW) in Canada, also winning the Villa Maria prize for Viticulture and the Errazuriz prize for Wine Business at the November 2015 ceremony held in London, England.

The MW process took Marcus a total of 6 years, including examinations in Napa, San Francisco and London.  The MW exams are separated into 3 sections.

The first section comprises of 4 days of theory exams, testing any (and every) aspect of oenology/viticulture/business and contemporary issues.  The next section is 3 days of blind tasting exams, where 36 wines from around the world must be identified and discussed in written format without an prior knowledge of origins. The third and most lengthy section, is a 1 year (10 000 word) original Research Project. Marcus wanted to contribute to the body of knowledge about Okanagan Valley wines and did his MW Research Project on The effects of Fall frost on Okanagan Syrah.  When asked about the entire MW process Marcus says “It was a grueling process, and easily the most challenging intellectual endeavour I have ever undertaken. But I would do it again in a heartbeat!”

In 2015 Daydreamer Wines also made the list of the top 10 small wineries in Canada, and top 25 wineries overall at the National Wine Awards of Canada…..

In 2015 they also won “Best Chardonnay in Canada” at the 2015 All Canadian Wine Awards (2013 Marcus Ansems Chardonnay), Best Syrah Blend at the 2015 Okanagan Wine Awards (Amelia 2013), and a gold medal at the 2015 National Wine Awards of Canada (Marcus Ansems Shiraz).

Daydreamer Wines is offing free shipping on all December orders. Find full case and half case options on their website.

DETAILS

Winery Address: 1493 Todd Rd | Penticton, BC | V2A8T6
Mailing Address: Site 30 Comp 13 | Naramata, BC | V0H1N0
Web: www.daydreamerwines.ca | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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The People Who Make It Happen

Marcus Ansems, Wine Maker
Rachel Ansems, General Manager

About Daydreamer Wines

Daydreamer is a small family run winery based on the beautiful Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. It is the brainchild of Rachel and Marcus Ansems who have both been involved in the wine industry for over 15 years.

Rachel and Marcus have both been “Daydreaming” about their own little wine company for forever and a day. They wanted to create a unique and memorable winery where a focus on fine wine was the ultimate goal. Small batch processing, with a sustainable approach is the mandate for this project. They want to make limited production wines from the best sites in the Okanagan Valley with a special focus on the wines of the Naramata Bench. Okanagan Valley is unique because the North to South orientation offers a range of climates suitable for many of the best vitis vinifera varieties such as Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay Pinot Gris and Viognier.

Marcus is a second-generation winemaker who fell in love with wine as a young boy helping with vintage in his native home Australia. He has worked over 30 vintages around the world making wine in Europe, South Africa, Australia and Canada. With many years of experience as a Partner, General Manager and Chief Winemaker at multiple wineries, he really understands from the most intimate level what makes an iconic wine. He has also been directly involved with setting up over five new winery projects and has achieved international success with his wines. For the last five years he has travelled to over 20 countries working as an international wine buyer and consultant and has recently passed the Theory and Practical sections of the prestigious Master of Wine examination.

Daydreamer makes uncompromising small batch wines with a focus on minimal handling. This is the Daydreamer Winemaking Philosophy:

· Find a great vineyard where the fruit speaks to you.

· If the grapes are organic-then all the better.

· Harvest the grapes when they are balanced-acidity is as important as sugar.

· Treat the grapes gently, hand pick and use basket presses if possible.

· Work the ferments by hand-it is good for you and the wine.

· Use new oak sparingly- as it will mask the fruit.

· Gravity and time are your friend. Wines will filter themselves given enough of both.

· Use sulfur sparingly- avoid adding anything to the wine that you don’t absolutely need.

· There is no secret to making good wine, it’s all just about attention to detail.

· Make wines that you want to drink – not just wines that will win medals.