O’Rourke Family Estate has been recognized by Chardonnay du Monde for its O’Rourke Family Estate 2020 BC VQA Estate Chardonnay—the wine’s inaugural release. You could say it was a pretty good St. Patrick’s day present for owner Dennis O’Rourke—whose bottles sport “Sláinte” (Irish for ‘good health’) on the label. The gold medal wine placed among the top ‘10’ wines, a list which organizers expanded to 16 wines because the scoring was so close. “Some wines are rigorously equal thus the ‘TOP 10 2023’ includes 16 wines,” says Chardonnay du Monde. That said, based on the way that CdM presents their Top 16 wines (not alpha or by country) my hunch is the O’Rourke Estate Chardonnay 2020 scored within the top five.
Chardonnay du Monde is an important competition held annually over three days in Burgundy. Of note, three quarters of the judges are from France with the balance from outside. In December 2022 judges awarded medals to 178 of 537 wines entered (about one third). French wines took ten of those top 16 places and won about one half of the medals awarded, including the lion’s share of gold and silver. Reading between the lines, it seems to me that a Spanish wine placed third and O’Rourke ranked fifth—an impressive feat. Other countries placing in the top ten (16) were South Africa, Japan, (that’s interesting!), Australia and Slovenia. Several sparkling wines were awarded, including 14 Champagnes.
O’Rourke Family Estate winemaker Nikki Callaway in the cellar (image supplied)
I tasted the tropical and orchard fruit toned 2020 Estate Chardonnay with O’Rourke winemaker Nikki Callaway almost a year ago to the day—when I had my first look at O’Rourke Family Estate. It showed very well at the time (92 pts) and evidently continued to evolve nicely in the bottle. Based on *comments about use of oak in general on the Chardonnay du Monde website, my sense is that—aside from the excellent fruit and ideal terroir—Callaway’s judicious use of French oak (only 16% new, 19% one year old and the rest neutral) also found favour with the panels.
(*”Oakiness is considered a plus when it is discreet and harmonious, but this quality was marked down when it masked varietal aromas.”)
O’Rourke Family Estate 2020 Chardonnay Okanagan Valley BC VQA (image supplied)
More BC results
The other BC winners (all silver medals) were as follows:
Quails’ Gate – Chardonnay – Okanagan Valley BC VQA 2021
Quails’ Gate – Chardonnay – Stewart Family Reserve Okanagan Valley BC VQA 2020
Inniskillin Okanagan Dark Horse Vineyard – Chardonnay Okanagan Valley BC VQA 2020
Jackson-Triggs – Grand Reserve – Chardonnay Okanagan Valley BC VQA 2019
Kitsch Wines – 7 Barrel Chardonnay – Okanagan Valley BC VQA 2020
Nk’Mip Cellars – Chardonnay – Okanagan Valley BC VQA 2020
O’Rourke Family Estate amphitheatre under construction (2022)
O’Rourke: a significant addition
Impressive and expansive O’Rourke Family Estate, near Carr’s Landing, north of Okanagan Centre, has emerged as the Okanagan’s largest winery project since the Olson Kundig-designed Mission Hill winery was completed in 2002. In fact given the overall size of about 300 acres (110 acres under vine) it’s actually larger.
Dennis O’Rourke at his namesake winery overlooking Lake Okanagan
After a tour that included part of the 800 metres long cellars and quick chat with enterprising owner Dennis O’Rourke, I tasted with winemaker Nikki Callaway. O’Rourke Family Estate is focused almost entirely on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition to the ‘regular’ estate (now award winning) Chardonnay we tasted the small lot, more Chablis style, quite mineral driven Clone 96 Chardonnay 2020 (94 pts). Along with the Pinots tasted, it was apparent O’Rourke was on track to make top tier Lake Country Sub GI wines.
O’Rourke Family Estate Clone 96 Chardonnay
When complete (opening scheduled for spring 2025) the estate will comprise:
• 110 acres under vine on sloping soils of gravelly or sandy glacial till.
• A 2000 seat outdoor amphitheatre with stunning lake backdrop.
• Tiered tasting options, including panoramic premium club lounges.
• Major convention and trade show capabilities.
• Destination view dining and other facilities.
Not to overlook the vista-kissed B&B and self hosting accommodations (already available) nestled in the vineyard.
A focus on Lake Country
Only estate-grown fruit is used at both O’Rourke Family Estate and Peak Cellars. This distinction is important to note, especially as the region’s specific varieties and their characteristics become more defined. Both Callaway and Peak Cellars winemaker Stephanie Stanley are working diligently to identify different soils and sites in order to express them in the bottle.
No doubt, last year’s approval of the Lake Country sub-GI will also contribute significantly to the fortunes of O’Rourke Family Estate and Peak Cellars, and to all the wineries in the area.
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