WHAT'S NEW
2009 Best of Varietal Wine Awards, Okanagan
Unoaked Chardonnay Lastella � Leggiero
Blush/Rose Lastella - Lastellina Merlot Rosato
All Canadian Wine Championships 2009
Gold � Le Vieux Pin 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Wine Access Magazine, March 13, 2009
Le Vieux Pin 2007 Céleste Chardonnay - 88 Points
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Relatively new winery, Le Vieux Pin is focusing on top quality wines in the Okanagan. With low yields, they make concentrated wines perfect for cellaring. Spicy, savoury notes, orange clove and roasted nuts show on the nose. The Céleste shows slightly towards dried fruits on the forepalate, while the intensity and power of the wine dominates the mid-palate and finish. A bit too much for on its own, a pairing with roasted poultry or game meats would be a great match. Drink now, or cellar through 2012. Tasted By: Tom Firth
Intriguing Architecture and Wine at Le Vieux Pin - BC Wine Trails, Spring 2009
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Georgia Straight, Jurgen Gothe Uncorked - February 5, 2009
Le Vieux Pin Époque Merlot 2006
The first wine from this operation that I've tasted�somehow I never found myself in the same room with it before. The bottle is hand-to-hand-combat heavy: use two hands to pour if you have it above the good stemware. It's got a gorgeous deep-purple colour, concentrated fruit, a rich texture, and a velvety, lip-smacking finish. There's textbook-good balance to this wine, and I'll take it over the preceding any day. (Note to Washington-state wine writer who recently wrote that le vieux pin means "view of the pine". Doesn't.)
Planning a wine country adventure? He's another great valley for you. - By Bruce Shoenfeld
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Le Vieux Pin - Where Terroir is Absolute - BC Wine Trails.
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LaStella wins two medals at the Wine Access 2008 Canadian Wine Awards
The Wine Access 2008 Canadian Wine Awards saw a record 1000 entries from 5 provinces. 16 hand-picked judges representing 7 provinces blind-tasted their way through this selection, tasting each wine up to 4 different times. Finalists were tasted by all 16 judges who ultimately awarded 32 gold medals, 115 silver medals and 262 bronze medals
Results are as follows:
Gold Medal - LaStella 2006 Maestoso Merlot
Bronze Medal - LaStella 2007 Vivace Pinot Gris
La Stella - A Blend of Modernism with Elements of Tuscan Charm
» Read full article
The Wine Access 2008 Canadian Wine Awards saw a record 1000 entries from 5 provinces. 16 hand-picked judges representing 7 provinces blind-tasted their way through this selection, tasting each wine up to 4 different times. Finalists were tasted by all 16 judges who ultimately awarded 32 gold medals, 115 silver medals and 262 bronze medals.
Results are as follows:
Silver Medal
Le Vieux Pin 2005 Kalalla Vineyard Epoque Merlot
Le Vieux Pin 2005 Lumena Vineyard Apogee Merlot
Bronze Medal
Le Vieux Pin 2005 Kalalla Vineyard Epoque Merlot (Single Vineyard
category; if no indication, then award is for traditional varietal category)
Le Vieux Pin 2005 Lumena Vineyard Apogee Merlot (SV)
Le Vieux Pin 2006 Stag Vineyard Perigee Pinot Noir (SV)
Le Vieux Pin 2007 Lumena Vineyard Aurore Sauvignon Blanc (SV)
Wine Access magazine's Canadian Wine Awards, Canada's leading national wine competition and the benchmark competition of its kind for Canadian wines, is open to all wines that are 100 per cent Canadian grown, fermented and bottled. Since its inception in 2001, the Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards has alternated between venues in Canada's Eastern and Western wine-growing regions. Visit canadianwineawards.ca.
Okanagan's Best Kept Secret... » Read full Article
Le Vieux Pin Joins Urban Diner
We warmly welcome the latest exceptional BC winery to join the Urban Diner community, Le Vieux Pin.
» Read full Article
Lastella Winery Joins Urban Diner
We are happy to announce that Lastella Winery from Osoyoos has joined the growing Urban Diner community.
» Read full Article
Stalking vineyard enemy No. 1
By Alexandra Gill - The Globe and Mail
Vineyard enemy No. 1 is the European starling, a non-native bird that travels in flocks of thousands. During harvest, they descend in doomsday-like clouds to feast on the fast-ripening grapes that are just now reaching their full sugar potential for making wine.
Falcons are the best way to control the starlings because they're natural predators," says Erich Jaster, vineyard foreman at Le Vieux Pin (and Lastella), a boutique winery in the South Okanagan now on its fourth vintage.
In Le Vieux Pin's first year, vineyard manager Harold Gaudy tried using cannons, but says the noise pollution weakened the nearby plants.
» Read full story
THE INTOXICATING OF TERRY DAVID MULLIGAN
LOOK Magazine 2008
"The wines by Jeff Martin of La Frenz (Penticton) are proud, outspoken, gifted, and the best-kept secret in all of Canada could be Oliver's Le Vieux Pin — a classy winery with world-class wines."
The Largest International Wine Competition in North America
Vaïla Kalala Vineyard (97 points) , Vaïla Echovitis Vineyard (91 points), Déja (87 points) and Epoque (87 points) are recipients of a Grand Gold, Gold and 2 silver medals.
Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada, the most important international wine competition in North America, took place from May 30 to June 5, 2008, at the Hotel Palace Royal. The jurors present at the event emphasized the outstanding quality of the competing products.
In 2008, the organization received 2 131 products from nearly 700 producers and 30 countries.
Vaïla Kalala Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 was amongst the wines that received the highest distinction at S�lections Mondiales des Vins. » View results
Northwest Palate Magazine, March/April 2008
Le Vieux Pin (BC) 2006 Va�la Pinot Noir Ros� Stag Vineyard Okanagan Valley � Highly Recommended � Produced with handcrafted care, this irresistible ros� exhibits richly focused cherry, strawberry, and cinnamon flavors. The huge structure features 14.6% alcohol and soft, mouthcoating acidity. A back-bite of quinine balances the ripe fruit through the long, satisfying finish. A treat with tapas. $25 CDN
Globe & Mail, January 9th 2008
Having heard so many rave reviews about Le Vieux Pin, the south Okanagan's new super-premium boutique winery, we couldn't resist a taste of the elusive Aurore Sauvignon Blanc ($17 a glass). We followed it by a few glasses of the winery's splendid Epoque Merlot ($19 a glass). On and on we splurged. As pricey as it seemed, the opportunities to sample British Columbia's most coveted, low-yield vintages are few and far between. Outside of wine festivals, it doesn't get better than this.
Northwest Palate Magazine, January/February 2008
Le Vieux Pin (BC) 2005 Belle Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley - Highly Recommended
-Bold, smoky aromas of toffee, black fruit, and mocha, with violet hints. The full-bodied palate is rich and concentrated, with ripe plum and cherry wrapped in satiny tannins. Supple texture upfront, but firmer on the back end, with lingering toasty oak and spicy cinnamon. Delicious now with barbecued duck, or hold for further discovery. $45CDN
Le Vieux Pin (BC) 2005 Apogée Merlot, Okanagan Valley - Exceptional
Smoky, spicy aromas of chocolate, vanilla, cedar, coconut, and bourbon engage your attention. The palate rewards with rich cassis and blackberry flavors and a mocha-laden creaminess. Well balanced by juicy acidity and plush tannins, with a gratifying cassis and cappuccino finish. Much more integrated and supple than six months ago. Should evolve nicely over the next few years. (414 cases made.) $65CDN
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'LaStella' opens as Osoyoos' newest Winery
Osoyoos' newest winery has been open for just over a month, but it's already attracting a lot of attention. LaStella Winery, owned by Enotecca Winery & Resorts, threw open the doors of its brand-new Tuscany-style facility on May 1 � and Wine Shop Manager Trena Kraft tells Destination Osoyoos that while it's not wide open yet for unscheduled wine tours, the winery is beginning to sell wine and is hosting increasing numbers of people for tastings.
Word is getting out about LaStella, which is located near Lake Osoyoos on the west side, just off 148th Avenue. This summer's edition of Wine Trails magazine includes an article describing the winery and its liquid fare, along with General Manager Anthony Buree. The article notes that LaStella's impressive architecture � including the main building with tower, a patio, wine shop and tasting room � features Venetian hand-blown light fixtures, Italian herringbone tile, and antique furniture. Wine Trails calls it "one of the prettiest wineries in the Valley".
Wines already available include Vivace (a Pinot Grigio), La Stellina (a Merlot rosé), and Allegretto (a Merlot). LaStella's flagship wine, Maestoso (a Merlot), will be available starting this fall. LaStella Winery can be reached at (250) 495-8180.
Best Kept Secrets of the Okanagan
Tiny new LaStella Winery (the sister winery of Le Vieux Pin, whose name means "Star" in Italian) barely has a door hinged on to its entrance yet, but even so, there are some amazing pieces of hardware currently being installed inside, including hand-blown Venetian glass light fixtures and a rare blue granite bar top that fairly glows with its satiny natural hue of navy blue. The wines are looking to be as selectively hand crafted. A complex berry-packed Cabernet Sauvignon named "La Sophia" with its intriguing but not unpleasant top note of fabric softener and fine, tight tannins on the back end, should be one of the more interesting first bottlings out of La Stella's cellar. There are other surprises in store as well, but if we tell you, the owners will have to kill us.
Stalking vineyard enemy No. 1
By Alexandra Gill - The Globe and Mail
Vineyard enemy No. 1 is the European starling, a non-native bird that travels in flocks of thousands. During harvest, they descend in doomsday-like clouds to feast on the fast-ripening grapes that are just now reaching their full sugar potential for making wine.
Falcons are the best way to control the starlings because they're natural predators," says Erich Jaster, vineyard foreman at Le Vieux Pin, a boutique winery in the South Okanagan now on its fourth vintage. » Read full story
THE INTOXICATING OF TERRY DAVID MULLIGAN
LOOK Magazine 2008
"The wines by Jeff Martin of La Frenz (Penticton) are proud, outspoken, gifted, and the best-kept secret in all of Canada could be Oliver's Le Vieux Pin — a classy winery with world-class wines."
The Largest International Wine Competition in North America
Vaïla Kalala Vineyard (97 points) , Vaïla Echovitis Vineyard (91 points), Déja (87 points) and Epoque (87 points) are recipients of a Grand Gold, Gold and 2 silver medals.
Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada, the most important international wine competition in North America, took place from May 30 to June 5, 2008, at the Hotel Palace Royal. The jurors present at the event emphasized the outstanding quality of the competing products.
In 2008, the organization received 2 131 products from nearly 700 producers and 30 countries.
Vaïla Kalala Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 was amongst the wines that received the highest distinction at Sélections Mondiales des Vins. » View results
Northwest Palate Magazine, March/April 2008
Le Vieux Pin (BC) 2006 Va�la Pinot Noir Rosé Stag Vineyard Okanagan Valley � Highly Recommended � Produced with handcrafted care, this irresistible ros� exhibits richly focused cherry, strawberry, and cinnamon flavors. The huge structure features 14.6% alcohol and soft, mouthcoating acidity. A back-bite of quinine balances the ripe fruit through the long, satisfying finish. A treat with tapas. $25 CDN
Globe & Mail, January 9th 2008
Having heard so many rave reviews about Le Vieux Pin, the south Okanagan's new super-premium boutique winery, we couldn't resist a taste of the elusive Aurore Sauvignon Blanc ($17 a glass). We followed it by a few glasses of the winery's splendid Epoque Merlot ($19 a glass). On and on we splurged. As pricey as it seemed, the opportunities to sample British Columbia's most coveted, low-yield vintages are few and far between. Outside of wine festivals, it doesn't get better than this.