Yet another small Okanagan winery that I must find time to visit, 8th Generation Vineyard Winery is an estate winery located at the edge of Summerland. They are owned and operated by a 10th generation wine grower and 8th generation (hence the name) winemaker who just happen to also be husband and wife. They definitely make for an interesting duo in an already unconventional B.C. wine scene.
Like the owners, the wines of 8th Generation Vineyard are also of interest. They produce a number of traditional whites and reds as well as two buzz-worthy sparkling wines. We’ll have to come back to those at a later time as today our focus will be on their 2009 8th Generation Riesling.
This very German grape has been coaxed into a very traditional Riesling. 2009 was only a decent year for white wines in the Okanagan, but the 8th Generation Riesling does not seems to have suffered for it.
The wine opens with a nose of mineral and mixed citrus. Off-dry, this wine contains a decent amount of residual sugar that complements the fresh grapefruit flavors and acidity of the body. The mineral is still present, along with what can only be described as a slight woodiness. It finishes crisp and dry with a decent length.
This is a good wine from a not perfect year and is a good value. I was interested to learn that they do also offer a Riesling Classic, made from their older vines.
Synopsis:
Availability: Somewhat Limited (starting to release 2010 vintage)
Price: Average ~$20
D’s Rating: 3.5/5
Notes: Recommended for any Riesling fans, a good intro point for newcomers.
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