Lakeside Cellars has 2024 vintage

Photo: Danielle and Ricky Dhaliwal

Rare among Okanagan wineries, Lakeside Cellars in Osoyoos made wine last fall with grapes from its own vineyard, where 2024 production was about 40% of normal. Lakeside’s good fortune is because the estate vineyard has a westward-facing slope almost down to Osoyoos Lake. Because mild weather preceded last winter’s killing frost, the lake had not yet frozen over. The shallow lake is often iced over by Christmas. But the open water last winter moderated the temperatures in the nearby vineyards.

Lakeside’s owners, Ricky and Danielle Dhaliwal, supplemented their crop with Washington State grapes, as did many other wineries. But the moderating impact of the open lake, limited the bud damage in their own vineyard, enabling their vines to produce as well. The photo is of Cabernet Sauvignon on the vines last September. Ricky and Danielle showed off wines from previous vintages at the recent Vancouver International Wine Festival. The 2024 wines, of course, are not ready yet. Lakeshore Cellars opened in 2019 on an historic property that Ricky’s parents, orchardists Harbans and Harkesh Dhaliwal, had purchased in 2015. The 14-acre property once was the homestead of Judge J.C. Haynes, the first customs agent and a major rancher in the South Okanagan. The elegant 10-room house he built for his family in 1882 had fallen into disrepair by the time the Dhaliwals began developing the winery. Timbers salvaged from the house have been used in the elegant and spacious new wine shop and tasting room. There were Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc vines, planted in 1998 and 1999, already growing here. Ricky expanded the plantings to include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Malbec, Cinsault and, more recently, Orange Muscat.

Photo: Cabernet Sauvignon on the vine in 2024

Lakeside Bubbles 2022 ($25.49). This sparking wine is made with Sauvignon Blanc, an expressive varietal. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel and aged six months on the lees before the wine was carbonated. It is a refreshing wine with aromas and flavours of lime. 89.

Lakeside Portage White 2023 ($22.99). This is a blend of 56% Sauvignon Blanc, 32% Orange Muscat and 12% Muscat Blanc. This is a fresh and crisp wine with aromas and flavours of grapefruit, apple and quince. 90.

Lakeside Rosé 2023 ($24.49). This wine is made with Cinsault grapes which Ricky planted (2 ¼ acres) specifically to make rosé. It was a good decision. The wine has an appealing rose petal hue. It begins with aromas of strawberry leading to flavours of raspberry and cherry. The finish is dry. 90.

Lakeside Cabernet Franc 2020 ($32). This is a full-bodied red. It begins with aromas of blackberries and dark cherries. A touch of oak on the palate supports flavours of dark cherry, plum and chocolate. 90.

Lakeside Provenir 2019 ($44). The blend for this reserve red is 34% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc, and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was aged in French oak for 24 months. The wine begins with aromas of dark fruits leading to flavours of dark cherry mingled with plum, leather and oak. 92.