Sumac Ridge Treats its Guests Right

One of the highlights of my recent trip to the Okanagan Valley was a visit to Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, located just north of Summerland, British Columbia and now in its 25th year of operation.

Sumac Ridge treats its guests like royalty by greeting them with a sample of wine before they even enter the door. Once inside, a friendly and knowledgeable staff will provide a wide variety of additional wines to taste while fielding questions about the winery and its surrounding vineyards. A bistro adjacent to the tasting room is open daily and offers a menu that changes each month.

Here are some noteworthy Sumac Ridge wines that I sampled during my visit (all prices Canadian dollars):

Stellar’s Jay Brut (about $25) – A truly remarkable sparkling wine with lovely strawberry/rhubarb aromas, creamy granny smith apple flavors and a crisp, clean finish. It’s also available by the split (375 milliliters) for about $14.

Sauvignon Blanc, Black Sage Vineyard (about $17) – A beautifully complex white wine with lots of tropical fruit aromas and flavors that suggest pineapple, papaya and melon.

Meritage, Black Sage Vineyard (about $25) – This well-balanced blend of 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Merlot and 25 percent Cabernet Franc is packed with dark fruit flavors a touch of black pepper on the finish.

Tours of the Sumac Ridge facility are also available for a small fee that is refundable with a purchase of wine. Although some might find this to be a viable option, my suggestion is to spend your time at the tasting bar chatting with winery personnel and sipping some wines; I think you’ll find it to be a real treat.

More information: www.sumacridge.com.