Our Wines
“My passion is to make the best wines possible, possible. It’s a balance of utilizing the latest technology, and also honouring the traditional and trusted methods to enhance the natural varietal characteristics. By doing this we can realize the truly unique terroir that is found at Dark Horse Vineyard”
– Derek Kontkanen, Winemaker
2016 Dark Horse Vineyard Meritage
Vibrant dark fruits, spice, vanilla, and some toasty notes on the nose. The palate is a complex mix of dark fruits, sweet vanilla, some pleasant earthiness with subtle tobacco and spice. The tannins are silky smooth, and the acid is in perfect balance with the wine. This is a full-bodied red that has a long finish.
Winemaker Notes
The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes were all gently put through the crusher/destemmer and placed into separate stainless steel tanks. All the varieties were fermented separately pumped over twice daily for the duration of the 10 day fermentation. The wine was then pressed and transferred into a special selection of French and American oak barrels where it went through secondary fermentation. The wine was then aged for 16 months in the barrels. Individual barrels were tasted and multiple “mock” blends created before being transferred back into stainless steel tanks for final blending. This year’s blend is 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc.
Technical Data
Alc 14.5%
RS 3.2 g/L
pH 3.75
TA 5.85
Oak Aging 16 months
2016 Dark Horse Vineyard Cabernet Franc
There are ripe raspberries and red plums with subtle notes of vanilla and mocha on the nose. The palate is rich with berries and mocha flavours with a hint of pleasant herbaceousness. The tannins are plump and approachable, the acid is in balance and the finish is medium to long with the flavour persisting after the last sip.
Winemaker Notes
The Cabernet Franc was hand harvested and gently put through the crusher/destemmer and placed into an 8 ton open top tank. This allowed the wine to be “punched down” by hand. The wine was then pressed and transferred into a special selection of French and American oak barrels where it went through secondary fermentation. The wine was then aged for 16 months in the barrels. Individual barrels were tasted to ensure quality before being transferred back into stainless steel tanks for final blending.
Technical Data
Alc 14.5%
RS 2.4 g/L
pH 3.61
TA 6.26
Oak Aging 16 months
2017 Dark Horse Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Ripe strawberries, baking spices, toasted vanilla, and sour cherries on the nose. The palate also carries flavours of red fruits, toasted vanilla, and hints of spice and cloves. The tannins are soft and supple with lively acidity and a medium finish.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were picked at peak ripeness and gently crushed and destemmed. The grapes were then cold soaked in an open top fermenter for 4 days before the start of fermentation. The fermentation lasted 10 days and the wine was punched down twice daily for the duration. The wine was then pressed off and transferred to specially selected French and American Oak barrels to go through secondary fermentation. The wine was then aged in these same barrels for 8 months.
Technical Data
Alc 14.5%
RS 2.9 g/L
pH 3.86
TA 5
Oak Aging 8 months
2018 Dark Horse Vineyard Chardonnay
A generous offering of caramel, pineapple, and coconut with a hint of toast on the nose. The luxurious mouthfeel, integrated with notes of butter and caramelized sugar on the palate, leads to a lengthy finish.
Winemaker Notes
This elegant Chardonnay was harvested exclusively from our Dark Horse Vineyard on September 24th. The wine was fermented in barrel with 20% new French oak, where it aged sur lie for 9 months.
Technical Data
Alc 14%
RS 4 g/L
pH 3.6
TA 6.2
Oak Aging 9 months