Monday, June 22, 2020

Rocky Creek's tastings include optional photo op





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.
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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