There’s no question that the Okanagan wine industry has faced some tough years of late.
Winemaker Evan Saunders.
Beginning with the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020, the region has weathered a heat dome and forest fires in 2021, a major cold snap in late 2022, and now an even harsher cold event to start 2024. For Blasted Church winemaker Evan Saunders, it certainly feels like the Valley is being put to the test, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it’s him.
Evan became the head winemaker at Blasted Church in 2017 after working there for 4 years, following several years as a cellar hand at Osoyoos Larose in the Okanagan, along with working a harvest at Kosta Browne in Sonoma Valley, California. Throughout our conversations with people at the winery and in the industry, it is clear that Evan is highly regarded, with many expressing enthusiasm for the direction he is taking the wines at Blasted Church.
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The original OMG Sparkling label.
When Blasted Church Vineyards first burst onto the Canadian wine scene in 2002, the BC winery instantly turned heads with the colourful and irreverent labels that adorned its bottles. From the “OMG” Sparkling Wine to the “Unorthodox” Chardonnay, it was clear from the start that the winery was willing to poke a little fun at themselves. Their wine on the other hand, is no laughing matter.
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Scent takes centre stage with aromatic white wines.
Ever swirled a glass of wine and been hit with the intoxicating scent of jasmine, ripe peach, or lychee? That’s the magic of aromatic white wines, a style defined not just by flavour, but by fragrance. The term ‘aromatic wine’ is thrown around a fair amount, is seen as a descriptor on wine lists and is a style that is increasingly being embraced. But what does it really mean?
One can be forgiven for asking “aren’t all wines aromatic?”. True, all wines do have aromas, but aromatic whites are those where the predominant feature is their aroma.
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A standard vineyard tractor at Smith-Madrone in Napa Valley.
The world of winemaking has always been a delicate dance between tradition and innovation. As artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies seep into vineyards and cellars, a pressing question emerges: Will these advancements revolutionize wineries, or will they widen the gap between boutique artisans and industrial giants?
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Finding the balance…
As Canadian wine lovers, we take great pride in supporting our homegrown industry. From the Okanagan Valley to Prince Edward County, our vintners continue to craft world-class wines, and there’s a deep sense of national pride in choosing a bottle from a local winery.
But wine appreciation doesn’t end at the border. Many of us have also built deep connections with U.S. winemakers, particularly in regions like California, Washington, and Oregon, where we regularly visit, taste, and invest in their wines. With Canada being one of the largest export markets for American wine, the recent threats of increased tariffs on Canadian goods by the U.S. government feel like an alarming disruption that will reverberate on both sides of the border.
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