Photo by Roslyne Buchanan
94 » OpenRoad Driver
Meyer Family Vineyard’s 2012 Gewürztraminer
mingles beautifully with Joy Road Catering’s sexy
pork belly steam bun.
specifically selected to pair with Chef Rod
Butters’ menu,” says Co-owner Audrey
Surrao. “Painted Rock has long been a
favourite and examples from its portfolio
are always on our seasonal list,” she adds.
For Painted Rock 2012 Syrah, Surrao and
RauDZ Sommelier Andrew Schneider
suggest Double “R” Ranch Thick-Cut
Grilled Striploin Steak with Roasted
Potatoes, Crisp Tyroler Ham Crumble,
Qualicum Blue Cheese & Peppercorn
Sauce. “The Syrah is spicy and brooding
with aromas of smoked meat, pepper,
dark-red fruit and refreshing minerality.
Its intensity matches this bold dish and its
bright acidity cleanses the palate after each
sip.”
For Painted Rock’s flagship blend 2012
Red Icon, The “RJB” – Grilled Beef
Tenderloin, Butter-Poached Crab, Shaved
Cured Bacon, Onion Jam, Brioche
Bun, Roasted Potatoes and Duck Fat
Mayonnaise – is recommended. “Rich
and decadent, the layered complexity of
the dish is ideal with the towering array
of complementary flavours in Red Icon of
coffee, plum and black cherry and sweet
aromas of vanilla, chocolate and tobacco,”
says Surrao. “It’s the perfect match; proof
that some things are just meant to be.”
Kelowna’s Tantalus Vineyards strives for
“exceptional wines from a single vineyard
of outstanding pedigree to capture the
imagination and palates of those seeking
authenticity and sense of place,” says
General Manager Jane Hatch. Previously
Pioneer Vineyards, it is the oldest,
continuously running vineyard in the area,
where in 1927 the Father of the Okanagan
grape industry, JW Hughes, first planted
grapes. Eric Savics tasted the former
owner’s vintages, recognized the potential
of flagship anchors of old Riesling,
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines, and
established Tantalus in 2004.
From its inaugural vintage, Tantalus
received accolades and its uncompromising
reputation extends beyond its wine. British
Columbia’s first LEED-certified winery,
its sleek lines are stunning. Panoramic lake
views sparkle across a sweeping deck and
vineyards, captured through 40-foot floorto-ceiling windows. Inside and out, works
by top Canadian artists add jewels to the
crown.
Consider Tantalus wine with delectable
dishes that reflect the Okanagan’s best fresh
and local ingredients from award-winning
Chef and Sommelier Mark Filatow of
Waterfront Wines. The warm 2012 vintage,
says Hatch, intensifies the Pinot Noir
giving a “lovely lifted perfume of violets
and raspberry compote to a touch of earth
and hint of spice.” Suggests Filatow, “After
a day of skiing, coming home to a roaring
fire with a pot of traditional Coq au Vin
is the bomb! Organic chicken braised
with mushrooms, bacon and pearl onions
in a rich red wine broth and Tantalus
Pinot Noir 2012 is a natural.” For dessert,
try Tantalus 2013 Riesling Icewine – an
elixir of vibrant apple and peach flavours,
lush texture and aromatics of pear and
stewed lemon – with Apple Brown Butter
Tart and Vanilla Ice Cream. “Imagine an
oversized flaky-crusted tart for two, warm
from the oven with ice cream melting
slowly into it,” tempts Filatow.
Joy Road Catering ( JRC), known for its
“cuisine du terroir” collaborates on food
pairings with the next two wineries. JRC
showcases the bounty of the Okanagan
from early spring to late fall at the
Penticton Farmers Market and Long Table
dinners Thursdays and Sundays at God’s
Mountain Estate. A perennial partner on
special occasions throughout the valley, see
joyroadcatering .com.
JAK Meyer, Meyer Family Vineyards
proprietor with wife Janice, says the
focus is “crafting single-vineyard wines of
excellence in traditional French burgundy
style. To create superior small-case
production from our vineyards on the
Naramata bench and in Okanagan Falls
with an emphasis on Chardonnay and
Pinot, we engaged the best people. James
Cluer and Rhys Pender advised on the
business plan, Pierre Levesque was hired
as vineyard manager and Chris Carson as
winemaker.” You can drop into a natural
bowl surrounded by pristinely manicured
vineyards set against a backdrop of
magnificent craggy mountains. Visit the
Okanagan Falls tasting room to settle into
the homey surroundings and sample the
revered wines as you witness attention to
detail.