Time Winery is back on its feet

Photo: Time's Christa-Lee McWatters

When Abbotsford businessman Ron Mayert and his wife, Shelley, took over Time Winery and Evolve Vineyards this summer, the inventory included well-made wines from the 2016 to 2018 vintages.

There do not appear to have been any wines made in 2019, likely because the winery’s balance sheet did not support purchasing grapes last fall. Christa-Lee McWatters, the daughter of the founder, the late Harry McWatters (who died in July, 2019), had no choice but to solicit a purchaser for this Penticton winery. The Mayerts closed the purchase in July, and have retained Christa-Lee as the general manager.

Harry’s winemakers had been Graham Pierce and Nadine Allander. Both have since moved to other wineries, but they left solid wines in the Time and Evolve inventory. Some, released before the business was in trouble, have been released once again. They are drinking well, perhaps even better with an extra year in bottle.

Winemaker Lynzee Schatz, who joined Evolve last summer, has taken over as the winemaker at Time and Evolve this vintage.

Clearly, the business did not get in trouble over the quality of the wines. There was too much debt and that was aggravated by the pandemic lockdown for several months earlier this year.

The Mayerts, who have other successful business, have injected new capital and have now re-opened the wine shop and the food services at Time.

Here are notes on the wines.

Time Viognier 2018 ($22.99). The wine begins with aromas of mandarin orange, ripe pineapple and apricot. These tropical fruit flavours are echoed on the palate, along with a hint of vanilla. The finish is fresh and lingering. 89.

Time White Meritage 2018 ($25) This is a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon. The lime and lemon aromas mingle with notes of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is rich in texture, with herbal and buttery notes supporting the tropical fruit flavours. 91.

Time Fourth Dimension 2017 ($35). The blend is 45% Merlot, 29% Syrah, 16% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 16 months in barrel. Dark in colour, the wine has aromas and flavours of cassis, cherry and blackberry. The texture is smooth and the finish has lingering hints of spice and dark fruits. 90.

Time Syrah 2016 ($34.99). The wine begins with aromas of blackberries and cherries. Big and soft on the palate, it delivers flavours of plum and cherry with an appealing note of black pepper on the finish. 91.

McWatters Collection Meritage 2017 ($34.99).   The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged in small French oak casks for 15 months prior to bottling.  It begins with aromas of cassis, black cherry, blackberry and spice, which are echoed on the palate. Long ripe tannins give this elegant wine appeal for drinking now but potential to age another five to seven years. 92.

Evolve Effervescence NV ($19.99). This is a Charmat method sparkling wine, with 70% Pinot Blanc and 30% Chardonnay.  An easy-drinking wine, it competes well with the popular Prosecco wines that seem ubiquitous. 88.