George Hanson was anxious to get back to Seven Stones Wineries after making a donation on behalf of Similkameen Wineries Association last Wednesday, September 25.
“We just started picking our Chardonnay,” he said, following the cheque presentation.
Seven Stones Winery grows a number of varietals on 20 acres of land in the South Similkameen, just north of the Copaka Bridge.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Syrah are the main grapes grown on the estate, where the first vintage was harvested in 2007.
“This year is the first one in which we will be using 100 per cent of all our grapes,” Hanson explained.
“I’m really proud of that.” Prior to 2013, some of the grapes grown on Seven Stones Vineyard were previously sold to other wineries.
Seven Stones will produce an estimated 4,300 cases of wine this year.
“We sell much of our product on line,” Hanson said. Seven Stones also has enlisted the help of agents to sell their products to other B.C. markets.
Seven Stones Winery will be featuring “Seven years of Seven Stones Meritage,” a Wine Festival event slated for Sunday, October 6 in Seven Stones new cave cellar.
“There’s 11 tickets left,” Hanson said, adding that the winery will also be represented at this year’s grand finale tasting event at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
A new release, known as The Legend - a blend of 50 per cent Cabernet Savignon, 30 per cent Merlot, 12 per cent Petit Verdot and eight per cent Cabernet Franc, was released September 26, just in time for the wine festival.