First They Changed The Name, Now They Change The Wines

Trust the team at Road 13 Vineyards to switch it up. Effective this spring, the winery will be moving away from the production of several varietal wines to focus on blends. Joining the popular Honest John’s Red and White and the premium Fifth Element, are Stemwinder, a refreshing white blend (CSPC $21.99) named in honour of the soil of the winery’s home vineyard, and Rockpile, a red blend (CSPC $24.99) named after Mick and Pam Luckhurst’s most difficult vineyard. Both wines can be found at the winery, VQA stores, the BCLDB and private wine stores and restaurants.  For more information, please visit www.road13vineyards.com.

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Only 18 months ago, Pam and Mick Luckhurst unveiled Road 13 Vineyards. In that short period of time, the wine has attracted a loyal following and their slogan, “It’s All About the Dirt”, has been fully embraced by the winery and vineyard teams. So much so that two new wines are named in honour of the Road 13’s dirt: Rockpile, for one of the Luckhurst’s vineyards, and Stemwinder, for a soil type found on Road 13’s Golden Mile Bench.

The winery is now discontinuing the production of several varietal wines to focus on blends. Joining the popular Honest John’s Red and White and the premium red blend Fifth Element, are Stemwinder, a refreshing white blend (CSPC $21.99) named in honour of the soil of the winery’s home vineyard, and Rockpile, a red blend (CSPC $24.99) named after Mick and Pam Luckhurst’s most difficult vineyard, The Rockpile.

“It is a bold and risky move to stop the production of some of our most popular varietal wines,” noted winemaker Michael Bartier, “but we are sacrificing them for a higher cause – even better wines. We think that BC wine drinkers are more than ready to look beyond varietal wine names as a purchasing guideline and feel strongly that by blending we are putting our best efforts forward,” he said.

While Bartier has nothing against varietal wines, he feels that he can better express the unique terroir of the Okanagan Valley by blending varieties. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Chardonnay and I love Sauvignon Blanc,” Bartier commented. “I just happen to love them more when they are put together.”

Stemwinder is the name of the soil on Road 13’s Home Vineyard, and is a great quaffing wine grown on a combination of Black Sage and Golden Mile vineyards. The blend is unique: Chardonnay, Chardonnay Musque and Sauvignon Blanc, grown on Stemwinder and Ponderosa soil. All three grape varieties do their own special part to create a zesty citrus, tangerine, flinty, mineral wine, with wet stone aromas and flavours.

Rockpile is a beast of a red wine. Named in honour of the toughest vineyard at Road 13, The Rockpile, this wine is produced from Black Sage and Golden Mile vineyards from Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a hint of Viognier for good measure. The soils are Ratnip and sand. The resulting wine is rich, spicy, meaty, fruity and earthy with intriguing leathery notes.

Originally known as Golden Mile Cellars, Pam and Mick Luckhurst purchased the winery in 2003. Road 13 Vineyards took its new name in recognition of the winery’s specific place within the larger premium growing region of the Golden Mile. Road 13 identifies the winery with its purpose – to express the utterly unique sense of place that is reflected in every aspect of Road 13’s winemaking process. The winery is located six kilometres south of Oliver, BC, at Highway 97 and Road 13. Winemaker Michael Bartier produces 18,000 cases of wine annually in three distinct tiers: Honest John’s, Road 13 varietal and blends, and a premium series called Jackpot. The winery is on a mission which focuses on terroir, by concentrating on farming practices, the site and the soil profile; in other words, “It’s All About The Dirt.” The Luckhursts own and farm 46 acres of vines: the Castle, Home, and Peter’s Vineyard, adjacent to the winery, and the Rockpile Vineyard on Black Sage Road. The winery is open year round. Exclusive barrel room wine tastings are also available by appointment for groups up to ten. For more information or to join the Road 13 Cellar Club, contact the winery at 250.498.8330 or visit www.road13vineyards.com.