Newcomer Valley Commons recently opened in District Wine Village. It joins a number of other (mainly) neophytes who are taking advantage of all that DWV has to offer.
Husband and wife duo Kyla Richey and Rudy Verhoeff
Valley Commons owners, husband-wife duo Kyla Richey and Rudy Verhoeff, worked with Mark Simpson of BC Wine Studio to make their inaugural releases. As the couple are awaiting their newly planted sites to start producing, the fruit was sourced from various South Okanagan vineyards and existing barrels. However, early on, things look promising. You can find my initial reviews below.
The 2021 vintage is being made by Valley Commons staff winemaker Bill Adams, with respected consultant Pascal Madevon. Madevon made the first and subsequent vintages of Osoyoos Larose for many years. He later moved to Culmina before launching on his own.
Richey and Verhoeff believe that “friendships and family ties are strengthened, and community is created when people gather to enjoy a glass of wine together.” Hence their motto: ‘Where we gather.’
District Wine Village guests may choose between a casual, stand-up tasting of four ‘petit pour’ wines ($10) or a more leisurely, casual sampling of five wines ($15).
Here’s what we’ve tasted so far…
Valley Commons Harvest Table White 2020
Stone fruit floral and citrus notes announce a bright and refreshing palate that’s also textured, complex and quite lees-y, with white peach, lemon and baked apple before hints of orange blossom and spice on the dry close. A nice take on a drier Muscat blend. $24.90 90 pts
Valley Commons Pinot Gris 2020
Forward, vibrant aromas of orchard, tropical fruits and floral notes lead to a well textured, quite layered and full bodied, creamy palette of peach and pineapple with a touch of lemon meringue and honey. Nicely balanced with good acidity and generous mouthfeel plus a hint of minerality to finish. One of the more expressive Pinot Gris recently tasted. $27.90 91 pts.
Valley Commons Rosé 2020
A lovely medium salmon colour in the glass. Forward, red berries and floral notes with some earthy hints before a creamy, strawberry and melon palate, wrapped in good acidity through the dry finish. Good texture, a little viscose, vibrant and fruit driven, also some good ‘pinosity’. $29.90. 91 pts,
Valley Commons Cabernet Franc 2018
“Sourced from a single vineyard just off the prestigious Black Sage Road.” Up-front wild red berries, cedar and some herbal notes before a generous, full bodied palate of mulberry, strawberry and damson, defined by excellent fruit intensity and good acidity. Well integrated tannins though a lengthy close, with oak and some bell pepper notes in the finish. Rewards more after opening in the glass. $34.90 91 pts.
Valley Commons ‘Garden Society’ Premium Red Blend 2018
A blend of 66% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot, from South Okanagan vineyards. Aromas of red and black fruit, leather and dried herbs precede a full-bodied, well structured palate of dark cherry, plum, tobacco, herbaceous, savoury and oak notes with good acidity, supported by firm tannins through the close, and oak prevalent on the finish. Needs time. $39.90 89 pts.
Related: Earlier this year Richey and Verhoeff purchased Stoneboat Vineyards & Winery .
More on Valley Commons at www.valleycommons.ca
Read about all the District Wine Village wineries here.
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