Lang Vineyards Farm Reserve Riesling 2007

Naramata, Okanagan Valley
$20-25

www.holmanlangwineries.com
Happy BC Day!

Without a doubt, wine is a booming (and blooming) business in BC now. According to the BC Wine Institute, there are now 179 grape wine wineries across the province, and several licenses pending. For many British Columbians, wine is their business, their passion and their life. There are fewer places where the wine life is more evident than along the picturesque Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley. The excellent soil conditions and microclimate of the area yield many of this province’s top bottles. Lang Vineyards is nestled on the Bench, and was the first to receive a Farm Gate Winery license in 1990, paving the way for other small growers to open their own business. The winery has a loyal following of fans, drawn to their fruit forward, crisp, unoaked wines.

Their Reserve Riesling is one of BC’s sure bets – fresh and fruity, with bright, crisp green apple, orange and honey on the nose, and flavours of sweet white peach, lemon zest and mineral.  This creamy Riesling is slightly off dry, with a juicy, spicy finish. This particular vintage is sold out at the winery, but still available in liquor stores.

Lang Vineyards is owned and operated by the Holman Lang group. Guenther Lang and his wife, Kristina, purchased the vineyard when they immigrated to Canada in 1980. After experimenting, planting and working the site for 25 years, it was sold to the Holmans. Keith and Lynn Holman had been orchardists for 30 years before they entered into the wine business with the opening of Spiller Estate fruit winery in 2003.  That was followed the next year with the establishment of nearby Mistral Estate Winery, and the year after, Benchland Vineyards (renamed Stonehill Estate Winery). In Sept 2005 the Holmans added the long established and very popular Lang Vineyards to their holdings (hence the Holman Lang Wineries name). That was followed by the opening of Soaring Eagle Estate Winery in 2007 and Zero Balance Vineyards in 2008. Most recently K Mountain in Keremeos was added to the portfolio.

By drinking my bottle of Lang Vineyards Farm Reserve Riesling today, I’m celebrating our industry, toasting winemaking pioneers and supporting our vintners – all at once!  Cheers to beautiful BC!

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