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St. Hubertus Estate Winery (Kelowna)
By Carolyn Coles
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Located on a bend in Chute Lake Road along Okanagan Lake is St. Hubertus Estate Winery, a charming hillside site with a recently unfortunate history. The original winery buildings, dating back to the early 19th century burned to the ground in the Okanagan Mountain Park fire of August, 2003. All is rebuilt, however, and the only reminders of the fire are the displays and pictures that catalogue the winery’s destruction, as well as some wines named for the fire (Fireman’s Red, Glowing Amber Chardonnay).
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St. Hubertus is run by Swiss brothers Andy and Leo Gebert and their wives. The winery site is well kept, with picnic tables outside that overlook the lake and vineyards. Inside, visitors will find a very pleasant tasting room with some of the most knowledgeable and friendly staff we have yet encountered. There is a park across the street where people may enjoy picnics and views of the lake. Wines: St. Hubertus wines are grown in two adjacent vineyards: Oak Bay and St. Hubertus. Both vineyards produce different grapes that are dealt with using distinct styles. The wines offered at the winery are not as common as one might find in many Okanagan wineries, including Chasselas, a white commonly grown in Switzerland, and a full-flavoured Marechal Foch, which is also the winery’s most popular red.
St. Hubertus and Oak Bay Vineyards currently produces: Oak Bay Grand Reserve
Chardonnay
Gewurztraminer
Gamay Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot Meunier
Marechal Foch
Chambourcin/Merlot
Merlot
Meritage St. Hubertus Vintner’s Reserve $12-$15 per bottle
Pinot Blanc
Riesling
Chasselas
Rosé Gamay Noir
Gamay Noir
Northern Summer (red blend)
Pinot Blanc Dessert Wine
Pinot Noir Dessert Wine
Summer Symphony Dessert Wine
Notes on Tastings: The tasting room at St. Hubertus is not particularly large, but the staff is very efficient at ensuring everyone has the opportunity to taste wines. Visitors may also browse a selection of artisan stamps. Written tasting notes were unavailable while we were there, however the staff are well versed in the intricacies of the wines. Last word: St. Hubertus was one of our favorite stops on the wine route.
Also by Carolyn Coles:Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards - 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. 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. Published by Carolyn Coles & Tim Martiniuk, founders of the Okanagan Wine Guide. http://www.okanaganwineguide.com/sthubertus.html
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