It always pays to know someone.
For example, Scott Woody, the viticulturist at Tantalus Winery in Southeast Kelowna, knows some grape growers in Niagara.
So, Tantalus was able to source some grape juice from Grimsby Hillside and Picone Vineyard to make its 2024 Rieslings.
Meanwhile, Tantalus winemaker and general manager David Paterson has connections in Oregon.
Thus, Willamette Valley grapes used to make the 2024 Tantalus Pinot Gris.
When Mother Nature threw the Okanagan a major curve ball in January 2024 with a deep freeze killing grape vines and buds and wiping out the 2024 harvest, local wineries had to spring into action to get grapes and juice from outside the province in order to make 2024 vintage wines.
Tantalus was one of the few Okanagan wineries that sourced from Ontario.
Mt. Boucherie from West Kelowna, Gray Monk in Lake Country and Rust in Oliver also sourced some juice from Ontario.
Most others brought in Washington state grapes because it's the closest.
Others found grapes and juice from Oregon and California to make so-called 'Crafted in BC' wines.
The trick then for Okanagan wineries was to make wines with non-Okanagan grapes that provided Okanagan-like consistency in style and quality.
Tantalus nailed it.
The 2024 Riesling ($28) made of grapes from the aforementioned Niagara grapes is off-dry and balanced with aromas and flavours of peach, grapefruit, lemon and elderflower.
Drink this beauty on its own on the patio or pair with chicken or curry.
The 2024 Riesling Lab ($22), containing the same grapes, is made by the winemaking intern as an experiment that often turns out delicious.
Therefore, this Lab is easy-drinking Riesling with a nectarine, grapefruit and Granny Smith apple profile.
The 2024 Pinot Gris ($21) is a New World fruit-salad-in-a-glass style offering up aromas and flavours of pineapple, melon and pear.
If you make an appointment at https://tantalus.ca/ or drop-in to Tantalus you can taste these three 'Crafted in BC' wines at the indoor tasting bar or seated on the patio with a view.
You'll also have a chance to taste some of Tantalus' other vintages ranging from the 2022 Old Vines Riesling ($43.50) and 2023 Chardonnay ($33) to 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir ($65) and 2022 Syrah ($35).
Evolving into fall
We just can't seem to stop talking about (and drinking) sparkling wine.
In this column in July, we featured the new Evolve Sparkling House on the Naramata Bench in all its bougie, bubbly and pink-themed glory.
We went back this week for Evolve's media showcase previewing what's new for the fall.
All the sparkling tastings are still available, of course, but now there's also a cocktail program and beers on offer, too.
You can taste inside and see through the glass wall or outside at the comfy couches and keep warm at a fire table or wrap yourself in a blanket.
Also check out the new swings that are shaped like giant bubbles you'd find in an Evolve sparkling wine.
Evolve winemaker Lynzee Schatz was at the showcase sharing her passion for sparklers.
"Like many people I'm drinking bubbles everyday, not just on special occasions," said Schatz.
"So, how cool is it to have a winery dedicated to sparkling wines?" It's a dream. I want to leave a legacy of the sparkling wines I've made and the people who enjoyed them."
Currently on the roster, Evolve has five sparkling wines -- the Prosecco-style Effervescence ($27) and Pink Effervescence ($28), and the Champagne-method Brut Nature 2018 ($50), which won 'sparkling wine of the year' at the 2025 All Canadian Wine Championships , Brut Premiere 2020 ($40) and Brut Rose 2018 ($50).
Four more sparklings are in the works for release before Christmas or spring 2026 -- Blanc de Blanc, Blanc de Noir, Brut Libre and a no-alcohol.
Check out: https://www.timewines.ca/
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
