Yes, Burrowing Owl Winery in Oliver is named after that cute, little raptor that lives in underground dens.
The winery is in the South Okanagan desert, which is not only the natural habitat of the burrowing owl, but an ideal place to grow wine grapes (with a bit of irrigation, of course).
The winery has flown with the theme not just with its name, but by featuring a stylized drawing of the bird on every label; having a real, live owl mascot drop by occasionally; and donating to the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC and the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls.
All these owl tie-ins are great, but are the wines great?
Yes they are, as the latest crop of new releases from Burrowing Owl demonstrates.
The 2020 Chardonnay ($32) is a spot-on example of Chard done right with enough aging in oak barrels to add interesting texture and a caramel element, but not too much to overpower the uplifting aromas and flavours of grilled pineapple and fresh citrus.
The 2020 Viognier ($40) is also layered and interesting with a ripe-peach-and-honey profile.
Burrowing Owl's reds exemplify how the South Okanagan's desert climate and topography can translate to big and bold, but smooth, wines.
The 2020 Athene ($40), a blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, capitalized on the best of both varietals for a silky drink with a blackberry-vanilla-and-dark-chocolate profile.
The 2020 Syrah ($35) features aromas and flavours of blackberry and baking spices and the 2020 Merlot is classic of the varietal with a plum-and-cocoa profile.
Burrowing Owls winery complex is beautifully perched on the Black Sage Bench, surrounded by 140-acres of vineyards.
Besides the winemaking facilities, the winery also includes a wine shop, Sonora Room restaurant (named after the desert) and the 10-suite Guest House hotel, which also has a 25-metre pool, Fireside Lounge and small conference space.
Check out BurrowingOwlWine.ca.
Wine class
Kids aren't the only ones going back to class this fall.
Adults with a thirst for wine are also getting schooled.
Fine Vintage offers an array of courses at Kelowna's Delta Grand hotel aimed at everyone from beginner drinker to food and beverage pros.
The $445, one-day, Level 1 Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) course runs Sept. 24, Nov. 26, Jan. 21, March 25, May 27 and July 22.
Level 2 WSET ($995) is a three-day affair with starts on Nov. 5, Jan. 28, April 15 and July 8.
The Level 3 WSET, six-day course ($1,895) is for serious enthusiasts and wine trade professionals with start dates Oct. 1 and March 6.
There's also specialty courses -- the two-day Sensory Masterclass ($599) starting Sept. 17., the afternoon pairing-wine-with-food Tasting Masterclass ($199) on Oct. 8 and the sparkling wine afternoon Tasting Masterclass (also $199) on Dec. 3.
And-or become a Canadian Wine Scholar (the designation I have) at the $599, two-day course offered twice over the next year -- April 22-23 and June 10-11.
In all, Vancouver-based Fine Vintage offers courses in 16 cities in Canada and the US, has an online wine shop, wine-related resources and listings of wine jobs and organizes luxury wine tours to the planet's top regions of Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Rhone, Tuscany, Spain and South Africa.
The company is owned by James Cluer, one of only 360 Masters of Wine in the world.
Check out FineVintageLtd.com.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
