The GOODS from Kettle Valley Winery

Naramata, BC | Kettle Valley Winery is pleased to be releasing three of their Great Northern Wines, the 2013 Zinfandel, 2012 Syrah and 2014 Viognier. This is the third vintage from Kettle Valley Winery’s Great Northern Vineyards.

Bob Ferguson, Co-Proprietor and Co-Winemaker, comments, “The soils of our Great Northern Vineyard are predominantly large river rock and these gravels add to the mineral complexity that shows through in these wines.” Tim Watts, Co-Owner and Co-Winemaker, adds, “We release these wines, made by Kettle Valley Winery, under a separate label to showcase what we believe is an exceptional vineyard.”

The Kettle Valley Winery’s Great Northern Vineyards sits on the bench above the Similkameen River on the border between Cawston and Keremeos in the Similkameen Valley. This vineyard is adjacent to the Great Northern Railway right-of- way that forms part of the Trans Canada Trail, hence the name for this label and wines.

The GN Vineyard is owned by Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts spouses, Colleen Ferguson and Janet Watts; and is managed by Tim and Janet’s son, Andrew Watts. The wine is produced by Kettle Valley Winery.

GREAT NORTHERN WINE NOTES

2014 VIOGNIER | $21
The grapes were handpicked on October 12 and October 18, 2014 at approximately 26.7 brix. A portion of this wine was barrel fermented in older French oak and was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation. The balance was tank fermented and did not go through malolactic fermentation in order to preserve the crisp, fresh fruit flavors. This wine was made by Andrew Watts, Tim and Janet’s son, who has come back to the winery after enology studies in New Zealand and harvests in Chile, New Zealand, and Nova Scotia. Total production 317 cases of 750ml bottles.

2012 SYRAH | $24
This wine is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. This vineyard was farmed at just over one ton to the acre resulting in very concentrated flavors. The grapes were handpicked on October 22 and October 23, 2012 at approximately 23.8 brix. The wine has gone through a full malolactic fermentation and was aged in French oak for 22 months before being bottled. Total production 239 cases of 750 ml bottles.

2013 ZINFANDEL | $24
The grapes were handpicked on October 26 and October 27, 2013 at approximately 27.0 brix. The wine has gone through a full malolactic fermentation and was aged in French oak for 21 months before being bottled. Total production 263 cases of 750 ml bottles.

OTHER INFO

Naramata Bench Wineries Association Tailgate Party
Come and visit us at this annual event celebrating Naramata wines, our country culture and harvest. Tickets and Info at www.naramatabench.com.

Landscape Photography Workshop with Scott Forsyth | October 17, 2015
For the second year, we are pleased to be hosting a full day workshop at the winery with the award-winning, internationally known landscape photographer Scott Forsyth from Calgary, Alberta. This very special day includes dinner with wine pairings with Kettle Valley Winery with Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts. Cost: $350. For more information and to register, go to the Kettle Valley website.

Watch our website for updates on winemaker dinners, library tastings and tasting events throughout the year.

DETAILS

2988 Hayman Road, Naramata, BC
Telephone: 250-496-5898
Web: www.kettlevalleywinery.com | Facebook | Twitter

GALLERY

The People Who Make It Happen

Co-Owners and Co-Winemakers: Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts

About Kettle Valley Winery

Brothers-in-law, Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts, thought they were going to grow grapes as a hobby when the two buddies started to make wine in an apartment. Then in 1986 they expanded and bought a small piece of land on the Naramata Bench to grow their own grapes, and that grew into Kettle Valley Winery which became a distinguished winery business that has gained a cult-status following. Despite this status, the family owned and operated business still remains down-to-earth and committed to farming full flavoured grapes and creating distinguished wines.

Bob, a chartered accountant, and Tim, a geologist, obtained the third winery licence granted on the Naramata Bench and accumulated more that 4.5 hectares by 1991. Their first vintage was in 1992 with 44 cases of Pinot Noir. When they started planting their first vineyard there were no wineries open on the Bench. By the time they opened their tasting room doors, they were the 4th winery on the Bench and only the 23rd in BC. This year, 2015, marks their 24th harvest, making it the oldest single-owner winery on the Naramata Bench.

Bob and Tim are proud of their years of making wine at their family farm winery.

Over these years they have been most appreciative of the long standing relationships they have had with wine consumers, restaurants, and wine shops, all of whom have been their customers and have become their friends.

It has always been about making the wine for Bob and Tim which has been a passionate and memorable ride, and they continue to look forward to more years of farming the grapes and sharing their wines.

“Every year we learn something new,” Bob comments. “Tim has a tremendous understanding of earth science which helps in deciding which grapes should be planted in specific areas.” In 2013 Kettle Valley launched their Great Northern Vineyard series of wines. Tim’s son Andrew came back to the winery after stints in New Zealand, Chile, France, and Nova Scotia and took on the responsibility for the winemaking of the Great Northern Wines in 2013 and assumed responsibility for all Great Northern vineyard operations in 2014.

Kettle Valley takes environmental sustainability very seriously and to that end has developed a water management system that reduces their net water usage in the winery to about 20% of what is used in an average residence, and they are continuing to create more solutions for even better water management. As well, Kettle Valley installed its own weather station in 2014, as another step to work the best way they can with Mother Nature

Each year Kettle Valley Winery sponsors some very interesting events including the UBC Grand Prix cycling event and hosts Landscape Photography workshops at the winery with internationally recognized photographer Scott Forsyth.

Kettle Valley Winery is on the Naramata Bench and a founding member of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association. They now produce 10,000 cases a year from 28 acres on the Naramata Bench and 14 acres in the Cawston / Keremeos area. Currently Kettle Valley has a portfolio of 25 wines.

Visit their home-based tasting room in person or visit the website for information on wine releases and events.

Climb aboard for a glass of history and a taste of the future!