In the Photo: Top Left: Sara and Troy Harker represent the 5th generation of the Harker family. Sara is the assistant winemaker at Rustic Roots, working with consultant winemaker Christine Leroux. Top Right: The wine label depicts a rare, 110-year-old heritage Snow Apple tree that is still producing apples on the front lawn of the house belonging to Troy Harker's grandfather. (The tree has a trunk circumference of over 8 ft.). The roots below the tree represent the 6 generations of Canadian Harkers to farm in the Similkameen.
RUSTIC ROOTS - The Okanagan's Newest Winery
(
Reported by Rhys Pender )
The newest fruit winery in BC has opened its doors in Cawston.
The certified organic winery is called
Rustic Roots and it is the latest adaptation to the market for the generations old
Harker's Fruit Stand. Pioneers of the Similkameen Valley, the Harker family have been farming in Cawston since the 1880s and the new wine shop adjoins their popular, organic fruit stand on Hwy 3.
The four initial offerings are a complex, crisp, fresh apple/pear blend (5 varieties of apple, 3 of pear); a dryish cherry wine with some nice floral and almond notes; and two sweeter wines -- a Port-like blackberry wine that oozes intense blackberry flavour (and would pair nicely with chocolate); and a iced apple wine that deliciously tastes exactly like apple custard.
The wine shop, constructed from recycled barn wood and old wooden barrels, will be open up until Christmas and then afterwards by appointment until April. The grand opening took place on Saturday, October 4th, complete with multiple generations of Harkers, country music, truck loads of pumpkins and some tasty appetisers catered by Chef Serge Baillargeon and his wife. The young couple (see photo below) have recently arrived in the Similkameen Valley from Quebec City and are hoping to find a place in the Okanagan’s food and wine scene.
Below are notes on the four wines provided by the winery:
Apple Pear Sweetness: 0-1; Alcohol: 12%; Price: $17.90
This fresh, crisp acidic wine as the aroma of crisp apples with the subtle finish of pears and spice.
Cherry Sweetness: 1-2; Alcohol: 13.7%; Price $18.90
This delicate cherry wine, imitates a light rose with a hint of almond and spicy red fruit. It has a light start and a sweet Lambert cherry finish.
Iced AppleSweetness 10: Alcohol:11%; Price $24.90
The wine is produced through a method called "cryo-extraction". This is the process of freezing the freshly pressed apple juice and drawing off the sweetest juice while it is thawing. This mimics pressing of the frozen fruit -- without having to use a chainsaw to cut away the remaining skins and ice -- and extracts intense apple flavour. Blackberry Sweetness: 8; Alchohol 18%; Price $24.90
Made with organic Fraser Valley blackberries, this complex wine is the only fortified wine from the winery. The robust and velvety wine captures the intense flavours of blackberries that clings to your palate. It is the perfect addition to dessert, or on its own as an aperitif.
