Wine And A Pyramid Too!

We recently visited Summerhill Pyramid Winery as part of a Pre-Conference Excursion to the Wine Bloggers’ Conference 2013 (WBC13) in Penticton, British Columbia. The excursion was planned for us by Tourism Kelowna and included a tour and dinner at the winery.

I don’t know about you, but a pyramid is about the last thing I would expect to be associated with a winery. Sure, there are wineries with pyramid in the name, but Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna, British Columbia actually has a pyramid. It is a one-eighth scale reproduction of the Great Pyramid of Egypt.

Summerhill winemaker Eric von Krosigk took us on a tour of the pyramid. Built in alignment with true north, the pyramid is used to age wines. The temperature dropped noticeably as we ascended into the pyramid. A large crystal is suspended from the apex of the pyramid. Winery owner, Stephen Cipes, believes the energy of the pyramid enhances good wines and exaggerates flaws in poor wines.

As part of a WBC13 Breakout Session titled “Learning to be a Wine Judge” we tasted an unlabeled sparkling wine. We knew nothing about the wine as we tasted it, truly a blind tasting. Complex scents of nutmeg and cardamom combined with nutty, yeasty flavors. The delicate flavors were long-lasting. Eric, a member of the panel for the session, told us the wine was a 1996 Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cipes Sparkling Wine. It is comprised of 59% Pinot Noir, 49% Chardonnay and 1% Viognier. Age certainly has produced unique and complex flavors. Eric explained the sparkling wine will be released “when the labels arrive”, leaving us with the impression things are never forced at Summerhill Pyramid Winery.

The pyramid is not the only notable thing about Summerhill. During our visit Eric spoke to us about wine production and the winery’s organic certification. It has been a goal since the Cipes family purchased the winery in 1986. Their cellar was Certified Organic in 2007.

Gabe Cipes, who has been responsible for developing biodynamic practices at the winery, talked about biodynamics and permaculture. The vineyard received Demeter Biodynamic Certification in 2012.

Permaculture is new to me. It is a philosophy that involves self-sustaining food production; working with nature to produce food. Gabe has introduced the principles to increase biodiversity within the vineyard by growing complimentary crops in the vineyard rows. The winery is convinced that growing grapes in the purest manner possible allows the best expression of terroir in their wines.

After touring the pyramid, we moved into the tasting room. Eric poured the soon-to-be released NV Cipes Rosé. This bright, sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé, is crisp with berry notes and a clean finish. A perfect lead-in to dinner.

Jesse Croy, executive chef of the winery’s restaurant Sunset Organic Bistro, and his staff prepared a five-course dinner for us. The organic meal included vegetables from Summerhill’s own culinary permaculture garden as well as local farmers and growers. Each course was paired with Summerhill Pyramid Winery wine — naturally!

I
Shoots & Roots
Radish Varieties & Their Sprouts, Asparagus, Germinated Bean Trio, Chilled Chèvre de Provence, Quinoa Rice Pudding & Garden Chimichurri Buttermilk Drizzle
NV Cipes Brut

II
Spicy Scallops & Grilled Lakeshore Strawberries
House Cured Boar Pancetta, Fennel Puree, Rosehip Balsamic, Mint, Basil & Pistachios
2010 Syrah Rose

Palate Cleanser
Gort’s Whey & Grapefruit Granita
Lilac Cordial Sparkling Water

III
BC Spring Salmon
Lemon & Almond Potato Skordalia, Sea Beans, Arlo’s Spinach & Poached Quail Egg
2012 Riesling

IV
Char-Grilled Elk Medallions
“Rubarbeque” Tiger Blue Cheese Yam Gnocchi, Summerhill Arugula & Sunchoke Chips
2009 Cabernet Franc

V
Chocolate Duo
Chocolate Gelato Ice Wine Float & Raspberry Dark Sacher Cake
Riesling Icewine

We enjoyed the wines we tasted so much we visited the tasting room before leaving the winery. We purchased several bottles to take home with us. We are planning to do an Okanagan Valley wine tasting for our Thursday night wine tasting group. We will include some of these wines in that tasting, some we will keep for ourselves! Look for a post on that tasting in the next month or so.

Thanks again to Tourism Kelowna and to Summerhill Pyramid Winery for providing this memorable experience. It was a great introduction to the food and wine of the Okanagan Valley.

Cheers!