In early spring, the vineyards are bare, vines are trimmed back and sap is just starting to flow. Barb Wild photo

The feeling of renewal is here in the vineyards as B.C. welcomes the arrival of spring. The birth and rebirth that comes with the warming temperatures means it’s time to revisit the beauty of wine country. It is the time to pack an overnight bag and hit the highway. You’ll be rewarded with great views, delicious meals, and lively fresh bottled wines, not to mention the chicks, the piglets and soon-to-be sheared sheep. 

For those new to B.C.’s wine country, Naramata Bench is a sub-GI (geographical indication) of the Okanagan Valley, located just east of Penticton along the southern eastern shore of Lake Okanagan. The “Bench” as it’s called, is home to some 50 operating wineries. At the moment, the vineyards are bare, vines are trimmed back and sap is just starting to flow. The chickadees and quail fill the hedgerows, noisily darting back and forth across the two lane, winding, shoulderless road that leads to the village of Naramata. This is where Bella Homestead and Daydreamer Wines live. 

Chickens at Bella Homestead move about the exposed grassy vine rows in search of insects, worms and protein. Barb Wild photo

At Bella Homestead, which sits on four acres on Gulch Road just north of Naramata, the new baby chicks who have been warming themselves in the coop for the last few weeks, are just venturing out into the pen. Colourful hens are moving about the exposed grassy vine rows in search of insects, worms and protein. New piglets are scheduled to arrive in four weeks and the composting collective will reboot. Jay Drysdale, co-proprietor and winemaker at Bella Homestead has a clever goal—to build a closed loop system growing everything needed to sustain this vineyard and family. He takes his inspiration from Korean natural farmers with “soil health” and practices a holistic approach to farming. He and his wife Wendy also make fantastic bubbles.

At Daydreamer, two baby doll sheep, Maple and Mugga, stand wet and wooly in the now pouring rain looking a little nervous at the arrival of cars and people. No enticement can bring them over as they stand guard of the house behind the “tasting shack.” These two hefty-looking pets are workers that mow the vine rows and help maintain balance of weeds and wild in the vineyard. Marcus Ansems MW, proprietor and winemaker explains, “I had to raise the trellis a few inches to accommodate Maple and Mugga.” This ensures the grapes don’t disappear like the foliage does.

Sheep Maple and Mugga mow the vine rows at Daydreamer and help maintain balance of weeds and wild in the vineyard. Barb Wild photo

Spring release tend to focus on sparkling, white and rosé styles with fall release focusing on reds. The 2022 vintage is showing great freshness and vibrancy. Wow! Is this the vintage of the decade? Here are a few delicious bottles sampled from the 2022 releases. Poplar Grove, Daydreamer and Bella Homestead and Black Market (in Kaleden) are all now open for the season. Moraine Winery never closes and wineries like Terravista Vineyards will open May 15th in time to welcome the May long weekend crowd.

Bella Wines 2022 Gamay Noir Ancestral Method: a dry, fresh, crisp and very bright sparkling wine with fine, persistent bubbles. Only 75 cases were made. 

Black Market 2022 Secret Society White: a secret blend of four grape varieties that deliver flowers, herbs and citrus on the nose and palate with tension and vibrancy. 

Daydreamer Wines 2022 Riesling: dry and racy with sweet tart citrus flavours on the palate. This is one to age. 

Moraine Winery 2022 Pink Mountain Rose: dry, delicate pink hue with aromas and flavours of sweet pink grapefruit with good balance and freshness

Poplar Grove 2022 Pinot Gris: dry, sweet stone fruit flavours with tension and long finish

As days get longer here in the northern hemisphere, the excitement for warmer days and outdoor adventures grows. For wine lovers, the vineyards are calling. Go ahead. Make plans. Just remember to check the winery website for tasting room hours and make a reservation so as not to be disappointed. Spring has sprung!

Barb Wild

Barb Wild is the Good Wine Gal, and her goal is to help people discover what they like—without snobbery. Follow Good Wine Gal’s life of wine study, wine tastings and wine travel at goodwinegal.ca.