Why Wine Clubs Rule + The Heart of Wine Country

In case you hadn’t noticed, wine clubs, Direct to Consumer (DTC) and online wine sales in general have become a real force. The numbers vary on just how much things have truly taken off. But there’s no doubt this vital part of the industry’s pandemic response has proven to be a life saver for many.

When Covid-19 severely restricted tasting room activity last year the direct channel became the default response. Many BC wineries already had solid models in place through their wine clubs, which had been permitted since 2012. Even before Covid hit, in some cases, those clubs were shipping 20 percent of their winery’s production or more.

Wine Clubs sport wide appeal for several reasons, most notably, though, are savings, convenience and safety. Not only that, they can offer a chance to discover new wines and expand your taste horizons, and often the opportunity to taste small lot wines not available in the ‘regular’ portfolio.

A few wineries don’t require you to be a member to enjoy some of their more creative buying ideas. A couple that come to mind: Intrigue Winery’s book club, which combines a popular drop with a good read, or Okanagan Crush Pad’s All About Rosé. The latter is a current selection from OCP’s Virtual Learning Collection. It offers free videos to view as you taste, or the option to book a live online host to lead you and your friends through the wines.

Support Good Deeds

Why not direct at least some of your wine dollars to a good cause? In honour of #BCWineMonth Blue Grouse Estate Winery is repeating last year’s  fundraising campaign to help feed hungry children in the Cowichan Valley. Until April 30^th, $1 dollar from every bottle sold will be donated to Nourish Cowichan, generously matched by winery proprietors, the Brunner Family.

Throughout May, as part of their Support, Ship & Sip campaign, for every online order, Township 7 will donate $10 towards the BC Hospitality Foundation. Don’t miss:

Township 7 Benchmark Series Viognier 2019

Upfront vibrant citrus and tropical notes precede an inviting, juicy entry defined by peach, nectarine and grapefruit, amplified by generous texture and mouthfeel, fruit-driven but precisely balanced by a streak of acidity that carries through the close. $27.97, 92 Pts.

Also in support of BCHF, during the month of May, Hillside Winery will donate $1 from every bottle of  2019 Muscat Ottonel sold online and in the wine shop.

Straight from the Heart

Recently I tasted the current wine club offering from The Heart of Wine Country™. This is the official brand of OK Falls l Skaha Lake Winery Association. 

There’s an interesting back story here. A dozen or so years ago the wineries in the South Okanagan were grouped under (wait for it) The South Okanagan Wineries Association. At the time the number of wineries in the valley was growing at a rapid pace. The association decided to rebrand, in part to avoid confusing SOWA with WOSA (Wines Of South Africa). But they also wanted to redefine the limits of the south valley.

Historically, the South Okanagan was generally regarded as that part of the valley from Summerland south to the border. However, as viticulture increased, records showed significant climatic differences between the areas north and south of McIntyre Bluff, just north of Oliver. These included differing harvest times—now further amplified by climate change.

The southern wineries opted to form their own association—and identified McIntyre Bluff (Oliver in name) as the start of the new southern boundary. In the process a significant number of wineries were excluded. However, today that group has gone from strength to strength, first forming their own Okanagan Falls Wineries Association before successfully formalizing, in 2019, the Okanagan Falls Sub-GI. 

Recently the association expanded to include wineries around Skaha Lake, including Kaleden, growing their number to 15, grouped under The Heart of Wine Country brand.

What’s in the box

The current wine club ‘Sip Into Spring’ selection is available through Martin St. Liquor Merchants.  

It’s a smartly curated selection (6 bottles for $149.49) that offers a contrasting range from a cross section of wineries. Not only that but each wine comes with a well chosen, easy to prepare recipe that should pair well.

Blasted Church Viognier 2019 (BC VQA Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley)

Forward stonefruit and floral notes before a palate citrus and peach, wrapped in juicy acidity and a touch of citrus through the close. 91 pts.

Paired with Pad Thai.

Liquidity Pinot Gris 2019 (BC VQA Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley)

Aromas of orchard fruits and tropical notes followed by a fruit forward, well balanced palate of peach and nectarine with some spicy hints that linger through the finish. 91 pts.

Paired with Lemon Chicken Piccata.

Wild Goose Riesling 2019 (BC VQA Okanagan Valley)

Wild Goose founder Adolf Kruger, who planted these vines, was one of the original Okanagan Falls pioneers. Made with fruit from the initial 36 year-old plantings and from 14 year old nearby Secrest Vineyards. This is a classically under-rated Okanagan Riesling, with forward notes of stonefruit and floral notes before a palate of apple and citrus with mineral undertones. 

Paired with spicy Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Black Market Syrah 2018 (BC VQA Okanagan Valley)

A hard to find wine from ‘garagistes Rob Hammersley and Michelle Shewchuk’, the fruit for this Syrah is sourced from Osoyoos. A nod to Northern Rhone, with 4% Viognier. Forward floral notes with blue and black fruit precede a plate wrapped in velvet tannins, plush and  plummy with black cherry and pepper notes that build through the close. 92 pts.

Paired with Blue Cheese Burger

Pentage Hiatus 2014 (Okanagan Valley)

Here’s a treat from another under the radar (but long established) winery you need to discover. A blend of mainly Merlot (27%) and Cab. Sauv. (27%) with Malbec (10%), Cab. Franc (9%), Mourvedre (8%), Tempranillo (7%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Grenache (2%). Hand picked and sorted, punched down three times daily and aged 18 months in new and neutral French and American oak. Forward, vibrant red berries before a palate of mulberry, damson, red plum and cherry, more medium than full bodied (more Mozart than Bach!) with well managed oak, wrapped in approachable tannins. Drinking well now with still some aging potential. 92 pts.

Paired with Grilled Steak and Red Wine Butter.

Crescent Hill I Am Diva NV

A lively frizzante wine, a sparkling off-dry Gewurz. made with fruit from one of the area’s earliest plantings. Up front orchard and stone fruits with grapefruit and rose petal on the palate. Fun and frothy with good bubbles and surprising length. 89 pts.

Paired with Nutella Sparkling Dip

Orders may be placed through Martin St. Liquor Merchants.