Okanagan Crush Pad's Latest Wine Release is Dynamite

Client NewsOkanagan Crush Pad's Latest Wine Release is Dynamite

TNT, the 3rd Wine From Okanagan Crush Pad's Okanagan Wine Campus Series, Released

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The wine from Sommelier @terry_threlfall is released by @OKCrushPad #bcwine

The Story: November 6, 2013 [Summerland, BC] BC's Okanagan Crush Pad, producer of Haywire and Bartier Scholefield announces the release of 150 cases of BC TNT ($22.90) made by 2012 Sommelier of the year, Terry Threlfall.

TNT is the third wine release from the winery's Okanagan Wine Campus program. Threlfall's Chardonnay is named TNT after Terry Nicholas Threlfall, but of course the wine's name does offer a fun play on words.

Threlfall shares, "Yeah, that's a little cheeky, hey? First of all, my initials are TNT and a favourite reference for me from those that know me well. Secondly, do not expect an oak-bomb here - this wine is aged in steel and concrete. Where it does detonate is with its exuberant pure fruit, minerality, and vibrant natural acidity."

The TNT Chardonnay is pale yellow with a tinge of green; this wine has aromas of bright citrus fruit and apricot, with hints of green apple and a chalky minerality. Multiple layers of complexity from concrete and native fermentation keep this wine changing every time one smells it. The weight is amazing, with a lively, tangy acidity that is bolstered by a lovely, gentle creaminess and elegant fruit. A salty mineral character helps round out the refreshing finish. TNT cries out for a plate of freshly shucked BC oysters. Dynamite, one might say...

Okanagan Wine Campus, created in 2011 by Okanagan Crush Pad, is a mentorship program that provides the person named Vancouver's Sommelier of the Year a chance to make a small lot wine using the grape variety and style of wine they wish. In 2012 Vancouver Magazine, Vancouver International Wine Festival and California's Sunset Magazine each named Terry Sommelier of the Year. So when harvest 2012 occurred, Threlfall visited Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland and worked alongside chief winemaker Michael Bartier to create the wine.

"It was an absolute pleasure to work with Michael," says Threlfall. "His patience in describing some of the more technical parts of the process was legendary. I learned a huge amount about the winemaking process and the difficulties of trying to make a wine in as natural a way as possible. Also, I picked up so much while spending time with Michael and Alberto Antonini (who was in town), touring various vineyards of the Okanagan -- they were both inspirational in sharing their thoughts and experiences about the history, current state and future of viticulture in the Okanagan."

The proceeds from the sale of TNT Chardonnay will be given to the BC Hospitality Foundation wine scholarship fund to support students who are pursuing their higher level wine education certification. To date, $10,000 has been awarded to 11 individuals with further scholarships. Okanagan Wine Campus projects to date include Kurtis Kolt (2010), Owen Knowlton (2011), Terry Threlfall (2012), and Samantha Rahn (2013).

As of the time of this notice, TNT Chardonnay is available by contacting the order desk at 250-494-4445 ext 2 or orderdesk@okanagancrushpad.com

Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, located in Summerland, BC, is home to Haywire and Bartier Scholefield wines, and also makes wines for other BC vintners who are seeking to establish their own wineries. Haywire wines are directed by winery owners Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie, while Bartier Scholefield is a collaboration between OCP's chief winemaker Michael Bartier and wine advisor David Scholefield. The winery team focuses on crafting natural wines that are pure expressions of the vineyards they were grown on.  The winery is open seasonally June 1 to September 15 and by appointment off season. For more information visit www.okanagancrushpad.com.

Need a bottle image for TNT Chardonnay? RIGHT CLICK HERE, then save to your computer to download.

View the TNT information kit here. (To download the kit, RIGHT CLICK on the link).

More Concrete Tanks for Okanagan Crush Pad

PRESS RELEASE October 21, 2013 Media Contact: Leeann Froese | Town Hall - 604-321-3295

More Concrete Tanks for Okanagan Crush Pad

Old practice made new again bears wines 'Raised in Concrete'

Suggested Tweet: New concrete fermenters debute @okcrushpad, celebrating their 2nd birthday. http://bit.ly/OCPconcrete

The Story:

(Summerland, BC) Okanagan Crush Pad Winery (OCP) just celebrated its second birthday at the end of September. To celebrate, the winery received a very heavy package, just in time for 2013’s harvest.

Six 4,400-litre concrete tanks, weighing a total of 39 tons, arrived from Italy to join six 2,000-litre black egg-shaped concrete tanks that the winery purchased from a supplier in Sonoma in 2011.

The new tanks had a long journey, which started at the Nico Velo factory in Vicenza, Italy, before arriving at their ultimate resting point in Summerland, BC.

Nico Velo, established in 1943, makes all types of concrete prefabricated structures, from bridge columns to wine tanks, and offers first class workmanship.

The decision to purchase the concrete tanks from Nico Velo came at the urging of Okanagan Crush Pad’s consulting winemaker, Alberto Antonini, who uses the same tanks at his Poggiotondo winery in Tuscany, and is very impressed with the results. OCP winemakers Michael Bartier and Matt Dumayne concur with the idea of using concrete fermenters. Concrete had been used for centuries in winemaking, but was more or less abandoned with the arrival of stainless steel. These modern day concrete tanks take a forward- thinking approach to the old world practice.

“Okanagan Crush Pad is my first experience using concrete tanks, and I am very impressed with the results. We now have just over 38,000 litres in concrete tank capacity,” notes Dumayne. “They have excellent fermentation kinetics such as temperature retention. The conical shape of the tank moves the fermenting juice around in a vortex, which produces wines with enhanced depth, complexity and roundness of tannins. We have found that the resulting wines have a complexity and an enhanced creamy mineral character.”

To date, Okanagan Crush Pad has made and released several wines that were fermented and aged in concrete, including the 2011 and 2012 vintages of the Haywire Switchback Vineyard Pinot Gris and the recently-released and much anticipated 2011 Haywire Canyonview Vineyard Pinot Noir. These wines were made in Canada’s first temperature controlled egg-shaped concrete fermenters. Each wine that was created in concrete carries the “raised in concrete” trademark on the front label.

Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, located in Summerland, BC, is home to Haywire and Bartier Scholefield wines, and also makes wines for other BC vintners who are seeking to establish their own wineries. Haywire wines are directed by winery owners Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie, while Bartier Scholefield is a collaboration between OCP’s chief winemaker Michael Bartier and Scholefield family member David Scholefield. The winery team focuses on crafting natural wines that are pure expressions of the vineyards they were grown on. The winery is open seasonally June 1 to September 15 and by appointment off season. For more information, visit www.okanagancrushpad.com.

Okanagan Crush Pad is a place for collaboration; we want to talk to you! Tweet with us: @okcrushpad Join the conversation on Facebook: facebook.com/okcrushpad

Click here to download this press release as a PDF.

Harper's Trail Named Best Winery In Kamloops

PRESS RELEASE October 15, 2013 Media Contact: Leeann Froese | Town Hall - 604-321-3295

Best Winemaker in Kamloops goes to Harper's Trail Winery

Suggested Tweet: #Kamloops public votes @harperstrail as the best, via @KamNews  #BCwine

The Story:

(Kamloops, BC) Harper's Trail Winery proudly shares that is has been selected by the readers of Kamloops Daily News, in their annual Readers' Choice Awards Survey, as best winemaker.

Vicki Collett, Harper's Trail winery co-owner, is delighted. "When we first opened our doors, we hoped the community would accept and welcome us with open arms. The people of Kamloops have done this, and well beyond our expectations. We are blown away, " she continues, "and so thankful for the ongoing support from our community."

The entire Harper's Trail team, while in the thick of the 2013 harvest now, would like to thank everyone who supported this winery thus far, and visited this summer.

The 2013 visitor season has now ended, and Harper's Trail is open only by appointment over the fall and winter. Please contact the winery at 250-573-5855 for operating hours or to schedule a visit.

About Harper's Trail

Harper's Trail, is the first estate winery from Kamloops. Tucked into the city outskirts on the bank of the South Thompson River, Ed and Vicki Collett's vineyard sits among rolling hills of sage and grass, home to bighorn sheep, bears, and myriad birds. The backdrop of limestone, hoodoos, and a natural spring in the vineyard contribute to the biodiversity of this rare place.

The wines, made by Michael Bartier of Okanagan Crush Pad, reflect this emerging region with minerality and crisp acidity. Enjoy the winery's current releases and taste the flavours that will soon be known as characteristic for the Kamloops region. For more information visit www.harperstrail.com

Click here to download this press release as a PDF.