A little bird in the vineyard told me that Clos du Soleil is having their very first “Annual Vertical Tasting” event on Sunday October 7th, 2012 between the hours of 1-3pm at their winery. The folks at Clos du Soleil, a biodynamic winery in Keremeos, are thrilled to be showcasing and sharing their premium artisan wines. Rhys Pender, one of four Masters of Wine in Canada, will be the official leader of the vertical tasting.
One of the wines to be vertically sampled at this animated event is the ever-desired Signature blend from vintages 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Highly acclaimed and recognized, Signature has received many acclamations over the years. John Schreiner has scored certain vintages at 93 points, and in 2008, Signature won Silver and Bronze in Canadian and International wine competitions. This can only mean one thing: those doing the tasting are in for a real delight! Both Ann Sperling and vineyard manager, Felix Boulais, have a passion for sustainable viticulture using both organic and biodynamic practices.
In addition to the Signature, participants will be vertically tasting Clos du Soleil’s Capella from vintages 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. This French influenced blend hones in on the kind of crispness and vibrancy that makes wineries win awards. Yes, that’s right. Their Capella has also been recognized by Anthony Gismondi and John Schreiner, among others, as being a genuine competitor for Bordeaux-style whites on the world stage. It has been bestowed 90 points from Schreiner over multiple vintages, and in 2011, Capella won the Bronze medal at the Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards for the 2009 vintage.
The First Annual Vertical Tasting will be providing light refreshments and food during the tasting journey. The Clos du Soleil team will only be inviting 10-12 VIP guests, mainly wine writers, and loyal fans, in addition to a few sommeliers, and faithful Clos du Soleil supporters. Two very special seats will be reserved for the winner of a little contest they are running from their website. Clos du Soleil has decided to open up 8 seats for Les Amis, loyal fans and customers, as well as Wine Club members. Unfortunately, this event will not be open to the general public this year; it will be through special invite only. Cross your fingers, folks, that next year will be different!
How did this all come together? In 2005, a small group of professional, international business people, with a passion for wine, food and travel, fell in love with the Similkameen Valley and decided to become grape-growers and winemakers. The closely connected team of Spencer Massie and Bonnie Henry, Les LeQuelenec and Sue Lee, Peter and Andria Lee, and Gustav Kramer, acquired a four-hectare (10-acre) orchard on the Similkameen Valley’s Upper Bench Road on the winter solstice of that year. With a love of everything classic French and family roots going back to Normandy and South Africa’s Cape, it was easy for the partners to get excited about a Bordeaux style wine.
Spencer Massie has always wanted to work on a project such as this one. He wants to share with the winery’s friends, Les Amis, how each vintage is tasting and developing, as they continue to evolve with age. Rhys Pender will kindly be composing vertical tasting notes for each vintage. This information will be shared with Les Amis following the event in hopes that it will guide Clos du Soleil wine lovers when to open each vintage at the perfect time. Make sure you join Les Amis to take advantage of this sweet opportunity!
Clos du Soleil is a small artisan winery and estate vineyard in the Similkameen Valley Upper Bench with a focus on super-premium quality wines in a Bordeaux style – where Old World elegance meets with New World edge!
For more information, please check out their website at https://www.closdusoleil.ca/. Better still, check out their premium wines at the winery!
Clos du Soleil Winery, 2568 Upper Bench Road in Keremeos.
Cheers!
The Demystified Vine 