 BC's Pinotage Is The Perfect Wine For A Thanksgiving PairingRustling vine leaves are turning from green to golden, as breezes turn cool and temperatures drop. Fall has arrived. It's a light grape harvest this year for BC's Okanagan vineyards. The arctic chill of the last two winters has resulted in scant bunches of berries and vine death broadly across wine country . Despite this, the community is resilient and there is much for which to be thankful including the visionary pioneers who first planted grapes, from vines that were smuggled into the country as clippings, inside suitcases and even coat pockets. Brazen for sure. But without audacity and dreams, Pinotage, for example, would not be here. What is Pinotage, you ask? Why South Africa's signature red grape variety and a style that loves life here in BC. All you have to do is taste and you'll agree, this is a style for that Pinot lovers can get behind. Here are my recommendations from The View Winery & Vineyard and Stoneboat Vineyards - two BC wineries that embrace Pinotage. PinotagePinotage, a unique red wine grape variety, was created in South Africa in 1925. It is the result of a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, a grape known for its heat tolerance. Professor Abraham Izak Perold, the first viticulture professor at the University of Stellenbosch, developed Pinotage with the goal of creating a grape that could thrive in South Africa's hot summers. While it took many years for Pinotage to gain recognition, it eventually became South Africa's signature grape variety. Pinotage offers a distinctive flavor profile that sets it apart from other red wines. It is often described as richer than Pinot Noir, with notes of red and black cherry, along with herbal, savory, and spicy aromas. Pinotage also exhibits a harmonious balance of acidity, alcohol, and textured tannins. Due to early plantings in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia-grown Pinotage often showcases juicy freshness with bold flavors, making it an excellent pairing for hearty dishes like roasted turkey with herb stuffing, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and gravy.  The View Winery & VineyardsThe View Winery is a family owned estate winery run by Jennifer Molgat, that sits up in east Kelowna overlooking the city of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake. She pours award winning aromatic cool-climate whites and fruit forward, spicy reds showcasing their commitment to estate fruit and operational quality. The wine shop is an eclectic mix of old farm equipment, cool vintage signage and stylish feminine energy. The tasting room once served as an apple packing house and now hosts folks from far and wide with upbeat music, sounds of laughter and delicious styles of wine. This coming Thanksgiving weekend why not explore a Pinotage Vertical Tasting. The Vertical Tasting includes:
Bet you can't leave with just one bottle. The View Winery Barrel Room daily tastings open year around with special tasting room hours over Thanksgiving - 11:00 am to 5 pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Normally tasting fees are $15.00 per person but with a purchase of any of the wines from the vertical line-up, the fees are waived. If you buy, you'll enjoy a 20% discount for the purchase of 2 or more bottles from the vertical line-up. For reservations please visit this link. Walk-ins are welcome. Sounds like a great stop to include this coming long weekend. Cheers to BC Pinotage and the View Winery and don't forget to post #InternationalPinotageDay when you share your adventure.  Stoneboat VineyardsStoneboat Vineyards is located south of Oliver, BC on the east side of the valley otherwise referred to as Black Sage Bench, a sub-appellation in the Okanagan Valley. It was established in 1979 by the Martinuk family who planted vitis vinifera on its own roots in 1983 and eventually called the Pinot House because they grow Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinotage. Today it's owned by Rudy Verhoeff and Kyla Richey who also own Valley Commons until recently located at District Wine Village. Stoneboat Vineyards and Valley Commons together invite you to stop by and enjoy their tasting room and spectacular location as the last of the warm weather prevails. If you haven't visited, put it on your bucket list. In celebration of International Pinotage Day check out the vertical of Stoneboat Pinotage. Here's the winery tasting notes and links to the website. Tell them Good Wine Gal sent you. Stoneboat Pinotage Trio Vertical
If you are a collector, check out the Pinotage Vertical 6 pack also available. These red wines can be enjoyed now or cellar-ed another 3 - 5 years. ConclusionWith so much abundance here in wine country BC, and well, interesting international grape varieties that you may not be familiar with, there is much to celebrate. If you find this story interesting, please leave a comment below. If you are shopping for wine this weekend I hope you support BC wine by picking up a bottle of something local and delicious. Thank you for sharing this story with your wine loving friends and have a very happy Thanksgiving. At the very least, you can enjoy Pinotage Day with BC wine. Cheers to you!
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AUTHOR
I'm Good Wine Gal.
I blog about "good wine" and how to find it! Join me on my adventures of finding beautiful wine loving places, people and those special bottles we all get excited about. Archives
March 2025
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Photos from Magnus Reuterdahl, wuestenigel, Fareham Wine