THOSE OBSCURE LITTLE CANADIAN WINERIES ...HOWLING BLUFF ESTATEHowling Bluff is so new; the ink is still drying on its colourful label.
Notice we said label … In June 2007, Owner
Luke Smith released his first and only wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, so quietly we barely heard its name whispered in the chatter about new BC wineries. At the time we discovered it, even
John Schreiner, the man who knows everything there is to know about the local wine scene, hadn't tasted it. And yet surprisingly, Howling Bluff is no small estate. In the South Okanagan it boasts 12 acres of Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Semillon vines (Petit Verdot to be added in 2008), and all of it planted within the past four years.
Notable neighbors to the newborn Howling Bluff are
Laughing Stock Vineyards,
Poplar Grove and
Hillside Estate Winery, as well as the wines are being made by local, award-winning winemaker
Garron Elmes from
Lake Breeze Vineyards.
There is no retail/tasting room at the winery yet (although we noticed a few bottles for sale at
Marquis Wine Cellars), and the winery's website is still a work in progress. However, Smith assured us that his 2006 Merlot and Pinot Noir are now in barrels, tasting wonderful and should be ready for release next year. Now would we bluff you?
Tasting Notes:
Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan B.C., 2006
A mouth-watering, straw coloured Sauvignon Blanc with aromas reminiscent of fresh peaches, pear-vanilla jam, gooseberries and pea shoots. Clean flavours of zippy citrus and sweet grass, a lovely, smooth weight on the tongue and a warm, extended finish. $21.00 at private wine stores
Howling Bluff1036 Three Mile Road
Penticton B.C.
www.howlingbluff.comFiled by Daenna Van Mulligen a.k.a. The Wine Diva
