The GOODS from CedarCreek Estate Winery

Kelowna, BC | The pioneering CedarCreek Estate Winery has rattled the wine world once again. On July 1st, 2015 CedarCreek’s 2012 Platinum Block 2 Pinot Noir was awarded the Trophy for ‘Best Red Wine in Canada’ at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards, in London, UK. That same day, the winery also announced the appointment of internationally acclaimed winemaker Alexis Moore, a preeminent wine figure from New Zealand.

“I’m excited to hear you got Alexis,” exclaims Lynn Penner-Ash of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars in Oregon. “What an incredible winemaker,” says Lynn, who herself was one of Oregon’s first female winemakers and today a leading winemaker and consultant on winery design.

“I never thought I’d leave New Zealand,” says Alexis Moore. “After ten years of successfully establishing roots in the wine world, New Zealand had definitely become my home,” she confirms. “My great love is Pinot Noir and aromatic whites,” continues Moore, whose very first vintage of Pinot Noir went on to claim 5 Gold Medals at reputable international wine competitions including Mondial des Pinots in Switzerland. “That moment when Darryl Brooker called me to convey the incredible opportunity to build the Okanagan Valley into one of the five great Pinot Noir regions in the world was something I just couldn’t say no to.”

Ironically, Alexis Moore is Canadian and originally from Nova Scotia. Alexis’ winemaking experience transcends international borders having first honed her skills in the vineyards of Provence in France. This led to positions at such notable US producers as Flowers Winery in Sonoma and Oregon’s Penner-Ash Wine Cellars. With 16 harvests under her belt, Alexis’ return to Canada comes from her most recent role with Gladstone Vineyard in New Zealand, where she earned international acclaim for crafting exceptional Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

Alexis completed her degree in Viticulture and Oenology at New Zealand’s prestigious Lincoln University which created the first cool climate wine production and education program. “I honestly believe that great winemaking starts in the vineyard, in fact, for the first three years of my winemaking career, I worked in vineyards.” proclaims Moore. “I couldn’t believe it, but one of the bonuses of working at CedarCreek is that all of our grapes are Estate grown. And nothing is more fulfilling for me as a winemaker than getting the chance to walk every row and learn about every inch of our Estate Vineyards, first-hand with Darryl Brooker, who knows every intimate detail of this land and whose Single Vineyard Block program is something I am in absolute admiration of.”

“A relentless perfectionist is how I perceive Alexis,” says Darryl Brooker, CedarCreek’s ex-winemaker, who was recently appointed as Chief Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate. “CedarCreek means so much to me. I have put my life in to building CedarCreek over the past five years and as I moved on within VMF Estates, I was not prepared to let go unless I found the right person who could take CedarCreek further. Alexis’ passion for cool climate viticulture, respect for sense of place in winemaking, and her outstanding wines that I tasted when I visited New Zealand were some of the things that convinced me she was the perfect fit for CedarCreek.”

“Alexis is passionate and intellectual,” states Proprietor Anthony von Mandl. “It was critical to find someone who embodied the purity of CedarCreek to ensure that we can carry on what Darryl has started here, all the way from the vineyard to the bottle. Alexis comes with an open mind, her sincerity is reflected in her wine and in her philosophy. And the fact that she is actually Canadian provides an extraordinary and very positive twist in the next chapter of CedarCreek’s proud history as one of the first eight pioneering wineries in British Columbia. Indeed what is New Zealand’s loss is most definitely British Columbia’s gain.”

This new appointment comes shortly after the announcement that Darryl Brooker will transition into the Chief Winemaker role at Mission Hill Family Estate.

Details

5445 Lakeshore Road | Kelowna, British Columbia | MAP
Telephone: 778-738-1020
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cedarcreek.bc.ca
Twitter: @CedarCreekWine
Facebook: CedarCreekWine
To order wine: 1-800-730-9463

Gallery

About The Location

CedarCreek Estate Winery is located 20 minutes from downtown Kelowna – making it an ideal destination for locals and those touring wine country. Situated on a hillside, you are treated to a panoramic view of lush vineyard, lake and immaculate grounds and beautiful gardens.

The Wine Shop is over-flowing with wonderful gifts for home and the wine aficionado in your life – from the newest in Riedel glassware, tempting cookbooks and interesting wine accessories.

CedarCreek is committed to providing guests an intimate and educational experience in an exceptional setting.

Wineshop Hours: May – October 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, November – April from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tour are offered seasonally: May 1 – October 14, daily at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm
Vineyard Terrace Restaurant: Open mid June – mid September from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

People

Scott Locke, General Manager
Winemaker, Alexis Moore
Anahita Pouget, Marketing Manager
Heather Courtney, Director of Hospitality
Justin Adams, Manager of Vineyard Operation
Darryl Brooker, Winemaker

About CedarCreek Estate Winery

Purchased in 1986, CedarCreek released its first wines in 1987 and was one of the first 8 pioneering wineries of BC. With four generations of agricultural heritage and more than a quarter century of experience, we have pursued perfection and produced some of the valley’s best wines resulting in CedarCreek being twice recognized as “Canada’s Winery of the Year”. Today, we look proudly towards the future to further promote our region.

In February of 2014 the Fitzpatrick family announced the transfer of ownership of CedarCreek Estate Winery to the von Mandl Family. With this, two of the region’s pioneering winemaking families have come together with a shared vision for the Okanagan Valley, one that will continue the Fitzpatrick family legacy for generations to come.

Our knowledge of the terroir of the Okanagan and dedication to the craft have brought many awards and international acclaim, to our winery and our region. We are committed to building on our success by continuing to refine our approach to wine growing. Passion, tenacity, care and hard work are vital but above all we seek truth in wine. And the results show in every bottle. On that, you have our word.

Awards/Press

Wine Access Magazine has recognized CedarCreek Estate Winery as Canada’s WINERY OF THE YEAR in 2002 and 2005, as well as runner up in 2008.

Read more at http://www.cedarcreek.bc.ca/awards

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