Township 7: the advantage of two wine shops

 Photo: Winemaker Mary McDermott

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery is just one of three British Columbia wineries to operate two tasting rooms.

In a year like this, when making selling wine has been a little more challenging that usual, having two sales outlets likely has proven advantageous.

Township 7’s original winery and tasting room is in Langley Township while the other one, along with the major production facility, is just outside Penticton.

For the record, the other wineries with two wine shops are Church & State (Brentwood on Vancouver Island and Black Sage Bench south of Oliver) and Singletree Tree Winery (Abbotsford and Naramata Road.) Ricco Bambino briefly had two (Kelowna and Oliver) before selling the Oliver property last year.

Township 7’s Langley Vineyard and the production area are both small but important. Mary McDermott, Township 7’s winemaker, has built part of the winery’s sparkling wine production around grapes from Langley. The site is cool, yielding fruit with the bright acidity so crucial to Champagne-style wine.

Township 7 announced the re-opening of its tasting room in late May.

“Our South Langley and Naramata Bench wineries are open daily for wine tastings starting  Saturday, May 23,” the winery said. “We’re offering two different tasting/sampling flights provided at private tables, in order to achieve social distancing, both inside and outside our wineries. We are accepting reservations online as well as drop-ins as space permits.

“A couple of safety changes have been implemented to ensure proper social distancing for you and our staff in accordance with BC government health guidelines. We will have a limit of six people of the same group tasting at a time. We are taking extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety and also have hand sanitizing stations as you enter and leave. And of course if you are unwell, traveled out of country, or are residing with someone in self isolation, please do not visit us.

“We are continuing our retail and online shopping including free wine deliveries; and thank you for your tremendous support this spring. Please be patient with us and this new and exciting wine tasting experience.”  

The four wines reviewed here were released just as the winery lockdown began. But for other distractions, the reviews would have been more prompt. But there likely still are some left at one or other of the wine shops. These are excellent wines.

Here are my notes.

Township 7 Seven Stars Polaris Sparkling Wine 2017 ($35.97). The quantity of this wine is a bit unclear. The back label says 3,588 bottles while the technical sheet says  5,166 cases, which seems unlikely. If only there were that much of this fine bubbly, a 100% Chardonnay! It presents in the glass with quite vigorous mousse and with aromas of citrus and toast. The bubbles give the wine a creamy texture. It has flavours of green apples and has a crisp, refreshing finish. 91.

Township 7 Reserve Chardonnay 2018 ($26.97 for 398 cases). The grapes for this excellent barrel-fermented Chardonnay were from the Becker Vineyard, which is owned by Phantom Creek Estates. It is a rich and creamy Chardonnay with aromas and flavours of apple and pineapple mingled with vanilla and butter. 93.

Township 7 NBO 2017 ($35.97 for 488 cases). NBO stands for North Bench Oliver, where Township 7’s Blue Terrace Vineyard is located. This wine is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. This is a delicious red, beginning with aromas of cassis, black cherry and vanilla. The palate delivers black currant and black cherry mingled with oak and chocolate. 91.

Township 7 Reserve 7 2017 ($37.97 for 628 cases). This is the winery’s flagship red. It is a sophisticated blend of 51% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 1% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot. The wine was aged 24 months in French and American oak. It begins with aromas of cassis, black cherry and plum which are echoed in the flavours. A portion of this wine was allowed to breathe 24 hours, revealing even  more complexity of aroma and flavours. 93.