The Volcano is Long Gone,
but the Soil is Still ActivE
Our Viticulture
Knowledge Grows Here.
OUR PASSION IS CULTIVATING RESPECT FOR THE LAND
Knowledge Imparted
What is Viticulture?
“Viticulture is the cultivation of grapevines, or to some wine growing, an essential process to the creation of wine. It encompasses all aspects of grapevine growth, the techniques involved in steering the natural process of berry development into a worthy cultivated fruit for wine production.”
Knowledge in Action
Stages of Grape Development
Dormancy
Dormancy is a period of time when the grapevine goes into a hibernation-like state. It’s initiated by the cold fall weather and shorter days. This tells the vine to slowly bear down for the cold winter months by building up the carbohydrate storage for winterization. Here in the Okanagan, this is critical to allow the time required for the vines to properly shut down by providing moisture through irrigation and rest before dormancy.
Budburst & Flowering
The vine wakes and begins its ready growth stage. It senses through increased soil temperature to push buds to “break” and open up for spring. This leads into another critical time of shoot growth where the flower of the grape fertilizes and begins berry development. This is the hardest working time for a grape vine where all the winter food storage has been depleted. It's required to assimilate all available nutrients that are from the soil to support the intense daily shoot growth, leaf development, and flowering.
Growth & Ripening
This is a time where we see green clusters that are pea size turn into plump, sweet, golden yellow or dark red skin grapes. The accumulation of sugar and ripeness takes center stage and the grapes take on flavors that can be linked directly to the flavour profiles of the finished wine. This is when crop adjustments or last minute canopy techniques can be applied to elevate the quality of the crop.
Harvest
9 months of labour-intensive work, care, and worry all pay off. The grapes have reached an optimal flavor profile which the winemaker and viticulturist agree on. Certain varieties will be picked earlier while others benefit from more hang time. It’s a period of time where the vine patiently waits to be signaled by it's grapes being picking to shed it's leaves and rest. Its also a great time for the vineyard and winemaking team to enjoy a huge harvest meal enjoying the fruits of our labour and discussing the vintage that was!
Purveyor Spotlight
Poplar Grove Cheese
Jennifer & D.J.
Owners, Poplar Grove Cheese
Poplar Grove Cheese is proud to produce all of their artisan cheeses right on site on the Naramata Bench. They produce four surface ripened cheeses using locally sourced ingredients and pasteurized cow’s milk from Dutchmen Dairy in Sicamous, British Columbia. With artisanal attention to detail, each cheese is handled several times through the cheese making process producing consistently high quality, French-style cheese.
Find Poplar Grove Cheese Featured
in the Old Vines Restaurant Menu
Featured Dish
Smoked Magret Duck Breast
Sour cream, pickled shallot, confit duck croquette, crumbled Poplar Grove Tiger blue cheese.
Suggested Pairing
2019 Pinot Noir
Our Pinot Noir vines have been growing for over 30 years, enjoy our newest vintage with a medium bodied silk feel on the palate with balanced flavours of juicy red fruit.
Join Our
Wine Club
Award-winning BC wine, custom-tailored and delivered to your door three times per year. When you share in the moments and join our family wine club you get more than just perks, that make every sip a memory.
