Photo: Rocky Creek's Mark Holford
About two decades ago, various Vancouver Island (and Fraser
Valley) vineyards planted hybrid varieties that had been developed by a Swiss
plant breeder named Valentin Blattner.
His varieties were designed to be disease resistant and to
mature in cool climates. One of the most successful is Cabernet Foch, so named
because it is a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Foch.
Mark Holford, the co-owner and winemaker at Rocky Creek Winery
near Duncan, planted Cabernet Foch in his Cowichan Valley vineyard in 2008.
His partner, Linda, writes that Mark planted this vine “in the
hopes that one day he would be able to produce a red wine from Vancouver Island
that had the depth and colour of a warmer climate vineyard, ‘his serious red’.”
Sirius is that wine. While the name seems to be a play on serious,
the inspiration in fact was Rocky Creek’s vineyard dog, named for the dog star
Sirius.
“This is the first authentically estate premium red for Rocky
Creek Winery,” Linda writes. The debut Sirius was announced in late December
and has now become available in wine stores and at the Rocky Creek wine shop.
Like all wineries, Rocky Creek went through a three-month
shutdown as part of the province’s defence against Covid-19. “One positive
thing is our online sales have increased dramatically, so maybe a new world?”
Linda wrote in May.
Rock Creek re-opened its tasting room on June 19. As is the
case with all wineries, this summer’s tasting experience will be a little more
formal, maintaining the defence against the virus. Here is what Rocky Creek
announced recently:
We are
open now Fridays to Sundays from 11 to 4 pm. We
are only booking online and if you show up you can always
look online and see if there is space on the day, even in our parking
lot. See our new experiences here.
Tastings: There will be 3 spots for
tasting areas in the winery tasting room. So let me know how many
people in your group so we know
which spot to book. Tastings for you are free for the group up to 4
people.
Flight of wines in the picnic area:
There is a deposit of $12 for the first flight of wines. We can
settle up after the experience. You get your flight of wines
straight to the cash register and then enjoy your own tasting with
tasting notes. Also, you can pre-order foods or purchase when
you arrive or bring your own picnic.
Bottle of wine in the picnic area:
There is a $20 deposit fee and same as the flight experience but you can
have the bottle ordered and ready to go. Also, you can pre-order
foods or purchase when you arrive or bring your own picnic.
Our Photography Session on the sectional:
So this is something new we came up with. Katherine is our tasting room
manager and has been doing photography for us and other clients. We
thought it would be a lasting memories if you you can book her during
this time to have a professional photography session here, a Bottle of
wine your choice and enjoying the wine with 4 people and our stemmed
Riedel glasses specific for the wine. You will get 5 photos
professionally edited within 5 days of your experience. The fee for
everything is $75. Any food is extra.
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Here are
Some of the wines available for tasting and purchase:
Rocky Creek Pinot Gris 2018 ($22). Modest
skin contact has given this wine a lovely blush and, no doubt, accented the
aromas and flavours. There is a hint of strawberry and red apple on the nose,
leading to flavours of watermelon and apple. The wine is crisp, with a dry
finish. 90.
Rocky Creek TLC 2018 ($22).
This a blend of Viognier, Albariño, Madelaine Sylvaner, Siegerrebe, and
Ortega. It begins with fruity and floral aromas, leading to flavours of cantaloupe,
honeydew melon and Asian pear. While the winery describes this as off-dry, the
balance is such that the finish is dry. 90.
Rocky Creek On The Mark 2016 ($25).
This is a blend of six grapes led by Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Maréchal Foch,
with the latter dictating the bold, dark colour. There is a spicy aroma with
hints of cherry. On the palate, the cherry mingles with blueberry. There is a
hint of pepper on the finish. 88.
Rocky Creek Sirius Red Cabernet Foch 2017 ($40).
Dark in colour, the wine begins with aromas of plums and vanilla. On the
palate, there are flavours of black currant and black cherry, with dark
chocolate and earthy notes on the finish. The tannins are firm. The wine will
cellar well for several more years. 91.
Rocky Creek Wild Blackberry NV ($25 for
500 ml). A wine with 16% alcohol, this is Vancouver Island’s answer to Port. It
is made with wild blackberries. The aromas are of fully ripe berries. There is
an explosion of fruit on the palate, with ripe berry flavours mingled with
chocolate. The wine is off-dry but well-balanced; the sweet notes lift the
berry fruit aromas and flavours. 90.
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