Hawthorne Mountain VineyardsBy Carolyn Coles
Formerly LaCompte Estate Winery, Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards sit atop Hawthorne Mountain, and from a distance it almost looks as though the rows of plants could slide right off of it. This is one of the highest altitude wineries in Canada and is more of a destination winery as it requires a bit of a deviation from the beaten path. Do not be deceived by the quaint exterior of the Hawthorne Mountain wine shop- it looks much smaller than it actually is, and the tasting room within is open, spacious and has plenty of windows- allowing tasters to enjoy the spectacular view of Skaha Lake and beyond while they try some wines. In the summer season, Hawthorne Mountain offers lunch service on its outdoor patio- also with a view. Tours of the winery facility are not available, however vineyard tours are.
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Hawthorne Mountain makes a point of being especially welcoming to dogs, with a “Barking Lot” out front where patrons can park their pooches while they taste. The dogs are supplied with water dishes. There is a dog theme to the winery’s See Ya Later wines, as the former owner of the See Ya Later Ranch was a canine enthusiast. Hawthorne Mountain has continued this enthusiasm for “man’s best friend”. Wines: Hawthorne Mountain sources its grapes from its 170 acre vineyard on the mountain, as well as from vineyards in the South. It produces two series of wines: Hawthorne Mountain and See Ya Later Reserve. The whites grown on the mountain are quite nice.
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Hawthorne Mountain: Riesling
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris
Chardonnay
Gold Label Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Ehrenfelser Icewine See Ya Later Ranch Reserve: SYL Brut- (one of our favourites)
Chardonnay
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir
PING- (Red Blend)
Ehrenfelser Icewine Notes on Tastings: The tasting room at Hawthorne Mountain is very simple and bright with a fantastic view. The staff are knowledgeable of the wines and history of the winery, as well as of the Okanagan.
Last Word: Though a little out of the way, Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards was one of our favourite experiences.
Also by Carolyn Coles:Burrowing Owl Estate Winery - Burrowing Owl Estate Winery had its first commercial wine release in 1997, however its vineyards were planted earlier in 1993. Since then, the winery has received widespread accolades for its wines, particularly its red vintages, resulting annually in sold-out inventory. Blasted Church (Okanagan Falls) - Blasted Church (the winery) sits atop a bluff overlooking Skaha Lake, providing it with a lovely vista. Visitors can enjoy the view from benches in the parking lot, or from the tasting room, which is located inside a little log house. CedarCreek Estate Winery (Kelowna) - CedarCreek Estate Winery recently underwent substantial renovations. The refurbished facility and tasting room is immaculate and seems more fitting to a Mediterranean hillside than the Okanagan lakeshore. The interior wine shop is warm and features an array of other products in addition to CedarCreek's wines. Published by Carolyn Coles and Tim Martiniuk, founders of the Okanagan Wine Guide. http://www.okanaganwineguide.com
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