Get To Know... Gavin Miller

Photo by Lionel Trudel

Gavin Miller
Vintner, Upper Bench Winery and Creamery
Naramata Bench, BC
upperbench.ca

When you meet Gavin Miller you quickly soak-in his passion and pride for the wines he produces. Before opening his own winery (with like-minded partners) Gavin contributed to the success of notable Okanagan brands such as Painted Rock and Poplar Grove. With Upper Bench Winery, the same attention to detail and focus on quality  that helped make the other wineries must-visits for any BC wine lover is on offer. Thanks to this, Upper Bench will likely become the next must-visit winery along the Naramata Bench with the added bonus of an on-premise Creamery, run by his wife Shana.

Get to know Gavin a bit better and get to know Upper Bench's wines...

Key Wines To Try:

Merlot: 2011, 2012

Pinot Noir: 2011, 2012

Pinot Gris: 2011

1. What do you enjoy most about making wine?

The Vineyard, watching how it changes throughout the season. Trying to balance production to the strength of the season. Then capturing it all in a bottle.

2. What inspired you to become a winemaker?
I went back to school to learn about grape growing in order to go out and become a wine agent. After about two weeks of being tutored by the very passionate Bill Eggert. I no longer wanted to sell wine, I wanted to grow it. So began my new career, first in the vineyards then into the cellar learning from everyone I could find.

3. What causes you the most stress during harvest?
Harvest doesn’t really stress me. It is attention to detail that I find matters most, so a calm approach works best.

4. What is your favourite and/or least favourite wine cliché?
"No Whimpy Wine around Here” comes to mind.

5. Away from the cellar and vineyard, what’s your greatest passion in life?

My Wife the “Big Cheese". (Editor's note: Gavin's wife, Shana Miller, runs the CFIA registered creamery attached to the winery. More on her story here.)

6. After a long day of work in the cellar, what do you turn to for refreshment?

Beer in the Hot Tub with the Big Cheese

7. If you could take credit for one other BC wine on the market today, which would it be and why?
Tantalus Riesling, so much acid, so concentrated. I have really enjoyed watching this wine develop over the years.

8. Of the wines in your portfolio, do you have a favourite food pairing to go with one of the wines?

Saag Lamb with our Riesling or 2012 Merlot with Upper Bench King Cole

9. What do you think will be the next big trend in BC wine over the next few years?

Hopefully a return to dry wines and truth in labelling. I am really tired of tasting large amounts of residual sugar and having producers denying it, especially red wine, there is no place for sugar in red wine.

10. Screwcap or cork? What’s your preference?

Both have their place, I still think big reds are better under cork but  screw cap for all others

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Try This, Cellar That - Grenache/Garnacha

This week we feature Grenache/Garnacha:

Try This....

Bodegas Breca 2010 Old Vines Garnacha - $24
This 100% Garnacha (Grenache) is sourced from vineyards ranging from 70-100 years old and offers an equally intense palate where the spicy-plum profile continues supported by cherry-cola, vanilla-bean and mineral notes. Though powerful and layered with meaty tannins and savoury flavours, the body doesn't feel weighted down or thick thanks to well-balanced acidity and a refined texture.
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Cellar That....

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Grenache - $30
Still youthful, the nose needs hours to open up. When it does, it reveals beautiful layers of perfumed incense, huckleberry, sage brush, wild flowers, cooking spice, cola bottle candy and a plethora of other red fruit aromas. The palate offers excellent continuity from the nose. The overall balance is superb with a nice kick of fresh berry acidity, helping the rich, rounded mouth feel finish fresh. Best enjoyed in early 2015. Drink 2015-2018.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Get To Know... Daniel Bontorin

Daniel Bontorin
Vintner and Consultant
Seven Directions Wine and Wine Country Consulting
West Kelowna, BC
sevendirectionswine.ca
winecountryconsulting.ca

Operating as a consultant winemaker since 2005 where he contributed to the early success of notable BC wineries such as Le Vieux Pin and Quinta Ferriera, Daniel has since added to his growing portfolio his own label, Seven Directions, which focusses solely on producing single-vineyard rosé wines - the first winery of its kind in the Okanagan. 

Get to know Daniel a bit better and get to know Seven Directions' wines...

Key Wines To Try:
Zweigelt Rosé 2013
Kalala Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé 2012,  2013

1. What do you enjoy most about making wine?

I enjoy how each season brings on new challenges through growing conditions and mother nature. Every vintage invokes its own unique flavours into the wine. Like a chef, having the freedom to create a wine that I created and appreciate, knowing that this wine will be enjoyed by many others. I am Italian and grew up with food, wine and Sunday family gatherings. Winemaking to me is not only an art but a lifestyle to be shared.

2. What inspired you to become a winemaker?

Besides growing up with my father always making wine at home, I was introduced to winemaking by a family friend who lived below a winery here in the south Okanagan. The winemaker of that winery would help him out with his home winemaking from time to time. Over a short period of time getting to know this winemaker, he saw that I had a naturally good palate and nose. I took his advice and pursued winemaking. I have no formal wine schooling, instead hard work dedication and knowledge from working along side some of the best in the Okanagan.

I believe in a hands off minimalist approach to winemaking and have always made single vineyard wines as this is truly the only way to showcase terroir. The winemaker Frank, passed away in a tragic winemaking accident a few years after meeting him.

3. What causes you the most stress during harvest?

I am a father of three and a winemaking consultant for a few wineries in BC so the most stressful part of harvest is maintaining a level of sanity over the immense long hours and not having enough of them in a day. It pays to have an awesome crush crew. I love what I do and wouldn't change a thing. Year after year my perseverance and the passion for wine pays off in the end.

4. What is your favourite and/or least favourite wine cliché

Favourite - It takes a lot of beer to make good wine, in my case gin and tonic.

Least favourite - The use of 'terroir' when soil type is only used. There are many other factors that contribute to the terroir of a vineyard and wine.

5. Away from the cellar and vineyard, what’s your greatest passion in life?

Besides my kids and fiancé, I enjoy reading up and collecting wine books both technical and practical; I have 110 in my library currently. I enjoy doing an array of things such as camping, puttering and tasting wine both locally and in the USA. We lead a simple everyday life.

6. After a long day of work in the cellar, what do you turn to for refreshment?

Depending on the weather, if it is really hot out, I'll enjoy a nice cold beer. Other times gin and tonic is my go to drink now. I think its better for you than rum and coke! If that's even possible.

7. If you could take credit for one other BC wine on the market today, which would it be and why?

The 2006 Maestoso Merlot from La Stella Winery. A monumental wine that shows what this region can produce when the right variety is teamed up with amazing terroir, great minds and old school techniques. 

8. Of the wines in your portfolio, do you have a favourite food pairing to go with one of the wines?

Our focus is making dry Rose wines, which are very food friendly and versatile. I really don't have a favourite paring, but turkey dinner comes to mind this season; charcuterie, meaty salads and even foie gras. I could say the classic salmon but honestly, our French oak fermented Pinot Noir rose when young can stand up to steak nicely.

9. What do you think will be the next big trend in BC wine over the next few years?

You will see more appellations/ sub appellations being mentioned and enforced, and with that a better sense of place. I feel grape producers will focus on what will grow best on their vineyard site and less on what is trending. What will be trending will be what wines we can make best in the valley in that particular area. As is all around the world, each area specializes in a specific variety, and from then different styles within that area, that is how a region gets better, focus! 

10. Screwcap or cork? What’s your preference?

For me style and price point of the wine drives this decision. Certain wines have the feel and luxury that scream a nice long cork, while other wines that are quick to be consumed only need a screw cap. It is definitely a preference of the maker and buyer. However some very expensive Australian Shiraz are under screw cap.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca