Travelling north a few minutes along the Bottleneck Drive from Summerland you will come upon Free Form and Haywire Wines, formerly known as Okanagan Crush Pad.
The home of a quiet wine revolution. From its early days, Winemaker Matt Dumayne along with O.C.P. co-founders Christine Colletta and Steve Lornie embraced a philosophy of organic, sustainable farming methods. In short, nourishing the soil and leaving the land in better condition than when they started out. If asked, any one of the trio are apt to state that their wines are shaped by nature. Their Switchback, Garnet Valley Ranch and King Family Vineyards all being certified organic.
Matt乌鸦传媒檚 low-intervention winemaking methods include native yeast fermentation and the use of concrete tanks of assorted sizes, amphorae and neutral barrels to express the Okanagan乌鸦传媒檚乌鸦传媒� unique terroir.
Haywire Switchback Organic Pinot Gris 2020 is native yeast fermented and aged in large format, neutral barrels. Exhibiting light florals on the nose and an earthy, herbaceous palate that only a superb Pinot Gris can boast. This wine was best enjoyed with vegetarian antipasto and creamy cheese on rice crackers.
Both 2019 vintages, the Free Form Cabernet Franc and its elegant cousin Free Form Cabernet Franc Ros茅 are grown on the Sekhon Family Vineyard in Osoyoos, are wild fermented and enjoyed a malolactic fermentation. While the Cabernet Franc spends some time in stainless steel before eleven months in concrete, the Cabernet Franc Ros茅 heads directly to the concrete tank where it passes some months on the lees.
The easy-drinking Cabernet Franc greets you with subtle herbs, smoky red fruit and spice. Enjoy on its own or with a plate of homemade lasagna.
The Cabernet Franc Rose乌鸦传媒檚 lighter hue is somewhat deceiving as this is a savoury, dry Ros茅. Aromas and flavours of wild strawberries and raspberries, herb and spices. Enjoy it with roast turkey, stuffing and homemade cranberry sauce.
The 2020 Free Form Vin Gris is 100 per cent Garnet Valley Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir. It is whole bunch pressed, native yeast fermented in smaller concrete eggs and bottled unfiltered. Fruit forward, but herbaceous. Smooth, it has benefited from the time spent on the lees. Delicious with a chicken salad, veggies, organic brown rice and pineapple salsa.
The three Free Form wines grapes are exclusively grown on the Garnet Valley Ranch Vineyard. I preferred each of these wines and the Switchback Pinot Gris slightly chilled before serving.
Again, this year the Summerland Bottleneck Drive Association is sponsoring The Grand Sommelier Express, on the weekend of June 20. Set out from the Historic Kettle Valley Station in Summerland on a one-of-a-kind adventure aboard an historic steam locomotive. Ticket information is available online at .
A resident of Qualicum Beach, Chris Herbert is a wine enthusiast who enjoys sharing everything that B.C. wines have to offer. He looks forward to hearing from you with your questions and comments via email at spillthatvino@gmail.com.
