The Demystified Vine

I had the pleasure of meeting Rob and Denise of Camelot Vineyards Estate Winery back in late October 2012. The weather was dull and dreary, but Rob and Denise’s welcoming personalities made the atmosphere so much warmer.

The vineyard and winery, located on East Kelowna Road, is part of Kelowna’s “Fab Five” wineries. The Fab Five are within kilometers of each other, and are an alluring, boutique-style group of wineries that provide tourists and residents alike with the opportunity to see what the Kelowna area has to offer in terms of wine and hospitality.

A Medieval-themed tasting room is what you will find at Camelot Vineyards Estate Winery. I’m bias, so telling you it is one of the coolest tasting rooms doesn’t matter. Their website states it best:

Along with a six foot suit of armour, assorted shields, swords and jousting gloves, there is a replica of the round table from King Arthur’s court. Outside there is an added feature of a sword in the stone and a patio area where a glass of wine can be enjoyed whilst absorbing the incredible scenery. (The Camelot Story)

Told you so.

Having the pleasure of owning a number of bottles of their wine, I had the thrill of doing a mini-vertical tasting of their 2010 and 2011 estate Riesling at home with some friends. Two completely different beasts, these two vintages were each unique and varietally representative.

2010  
Pale gold with long legs, this 10.2% abv wine’s bouquet was filled with petrol and citrus bursts. Lemon-lime nuances, unripe white peaches, and a forceful (but pleasing) minerality jumped from the glass. Dry and medium bodied, this vintage of Riesling had perfectly tart acid. Crisp, clean, and with a surprisingly long length, notes of lemon, green grape, and a lighter petrol were present in the mouth. The wine was the slightest bit oily, which added a nice texture to the final product. Drink now through 2014.

2011
The 2011 vintage surprised all of my guests, and surprised me as well! An utterly different wine altogether, it was so intriguing to see how these vines expressed themselves two years in a row. This vintage was clear, and pale lemon in colour. Lighter all around, including in bouquet intensity, this wine boasted a flinty minerality, limestone, and chalk. Apple blossom, lemon,

grape, peach, and a hint of green mango danced around. This vintage is off-dry, still high in acid, but is lighter in body, intensity, and length on the palate. Lemon, ripe lime, tropical fruits, pear, and a tiny hint of diesel rounded out this refreshing Riesling. Drink now through 2014 as well.

Camelot Vineyards Estate Winery produces mostly white wines, but they have a few reds, too. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Merlot are all made, and in very small batches at ~1,300 cases per year on average.

If you’re interested in attending their yearly traditional Medieval Fair in August, keep checking their website for more information. Their Medieval Fair allows “for a unique chance to relive the Middle Ages. There will be sword fights, artisans, archery and general revelry” (Events). For a few photos of the winery and festival, click here.

Cheers!