Vista D’oro Winery D’oro 2007

Fraser Valley, BC
$57-65 for 500ml

www.vistadoro.com

I was first introduced to the culinary wonders of Langley’s Vista D’oro Farms through their preserves. SO much more than plain old jam, seasonally changing flavours like Apricot Tarragon & Riesling, Green Walnut & Grappa, Turkish Fig & Walnut, and Green Tomato & Garam Masala have graced my kitchen with their preserve presence, and elevated my ordinary dining experience into the extra.

A few years ago, husband-wife team Patrick and Lee Murphy added winemaking to their culinary tourism operation. Their flagship product is simply D’oro (Italian for gold). Following a centuries old recipe from Northern France, they’ve used walnuts from their magnificent century-old walnut trees for an exceptional fortified walnut wine. This port-style stunner is a blend of Marechal Foch from the North Okanagan, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Central Okanagan, green walnuts from their Fraser Valley property (picked on Bastille Day!), and brandy from Okanagan Spirits, in Vernon. D’oro is then aged 13 months in French and American oak.  Wow – what an effort and what a result! A sultry nose of age – with raisin sweetness, earthy walnuts, wood and plush porty sweetness. Clarity and richness, with a finish that lingers on and on… Authentic, artisanal, awesome.

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