It’s rare that I devote a full column to profiling a winery’s entire flight of new releases, but I’ve made it an annual tradition to make an exception for Naramata’s JoieFarm. While there are a host of reasons, one of the big ones is that their new wines always come out this time of year so, for many people, the big release has become synonymous with spring having officially arrived.
Another is that I sincerely believe that these wines by owners Heidi Noble and Michael Dinn and winemaker Robert Thielicke are quintessentially Okanagan wines. When their first releases came out 10 years ago, they were embarking on what has become de rigueur for British Columbian wine: minimal intervention winemaking that allows our natural terroir to be honestly expressed. This means a natural, buoyant acidity to the wines due to our short summer, a smattering of minerality in every drop as lent by our mineral-rich soils, and gleaming fruit that’s as delicious as the many Okanagan orchards of apples, cherries, peaches and so on.
Vintage 2013 wasn’t an easy one in the Okanagan. There were major issues with wasps, which would puncture and consequently devastate grapes, and there was a good dose of sour rot in the Valley where undesirable yeasts and bacteria cross paths, resulting in the decay of fruit. Those wasp punctures also provided a clear route for the rot to permeate grapes. The team at JoieFarm felt these issues, as did many, but the fruit that remained issue-free allowed for yet another solid vintage for them.
Here’s a rundown of what you can expect from 2013’s offerings. Prices are winery-direct; expect a few bucks more tacked on when they make it to local store shelves.
JoieFarm 2013 ‘A Noble Blend’ | $24
This time around we’re looking at a blend of Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois and Schonberger, awash with honeycrisp apples, Bartlett pears and a wee bit of quince.
JoieFarm 2013 Un-Oaked Chardonnay | $23
A fresh outing of papaya, pineapple and a small squeeze of lime that’s bright with acidity and charm.
JoieFarm 2013 Riesling | $23
Aromatic and lively, but definitely off-dry. Enjoy food-pairings that are good and spicy, and wash them down with this swirl of lychee, gooseberry and the smallest hint of Pez candy.
JoieFarm 2013 Muscat | $23
The team’s annual take on a dry Muscat has thirst-quenching juiciness and elements of green table grapes, white flowers and citrus.
JoieFarm 2013 Pinot Blanc | $23
Baked apples and a drizzle of honey with a finish that goes on and on.
JoieFarm 2013 Rosé | $21
Due to the aforementioned vintage issues, their popular Rosé almost didn’t happen this year, so let’s not take it for granted. Enjoy the summery mix of strawberry patch aromatics, watermelon, cream soda and peaches.
As always, if you’re having trouble finding something or just want to say hi, find me via KurtisKolt.com or on Twitter @KurtisKolt
