As you know, 2023 and 2024 were tough years for the BC wine industry, particularly so in the Similkameen Valley. Mother Nature and her deep freezes took their toll on our vineyards and, consequently, our ability to produce wines during those vintage years. We are a tough crowd to keep down, though, and as we relayed to you late last year, we partnered with two Washington growers to ensure that we could continue to bring you the exceptional Clos du Soleil wines you’ve become accustomed to. The results of our adaptability are now here, and we are excited to release our Washington Series wines in the coming days.
First, though, here is the story of the why and how of the production process, and what these wines mean to us – and you, as part of the greater BC wine community.
Exceptional Winemaking in Extraordinary Times
Winemaking is farming, and farming is impacted by the unpredictability of weather. With the increasing effects of climate change, evident in the deep freezes of December 2022 and January 2024, we’ve had to adapt to maintain our high standards. Sourcing grapes from Washington was one such adaptation to these extreme weather conditions we’ve embraced, allowing us to continue to maintain our high standards and ability to craft wines of exceptional quality.
Made in Canada in the Similkameen Valley, Inspired by Nature
Although the grapes are sourced from Washington, where our own team oversaw the growing and harvest of fruit grown specifically for Clos du Soleil, these wines are truly crafted in the heart of BC, staying true to Clos du Soleil’s signature style. Every step of the winemaking process – from fermentation, to aging and bottling – is done in BC by our Clos du Soleil winemaking team, ensuring that the wines integrate seamlessly into our existing lineup of BC VQA wines.
Quality First, Always
At Clos du Soleil, we are unwavering in our commitment to quality. The premium vineyards in Washington share a similar terroir with BC, meaning the character and excellence of our Washington Series wines remain true to our high standards. The Washington vineyards we chose to work with, like those of the Similkameen Valley, benefit from similar landscapes, soils, and climates, which allow us to maintain consistency and excellence in every bottle. This shared terroir – with grapes “made under the same sky” as we like to think of it – means we can stay true to both our portfolio and values, in a time when there is no set roadmap to winemaking in BC.
At the same time, we see our job at Clos du Soleil as translating terroir – the unique geography and growing conditions of the grapes we work with – directly into every bottle of wine we produce. We took this same approach with our Washington grapes, ultimately producing wines which accurately tell the story of both our winemaking philosophy and the landscape just to the south of us with its subtle differences.
It is also worth noting that these grapes travelled less distance from Washington to their final home here in the Similkameen than many BC grapes travel within the province for BC VQA wines. This is in keeping with our commitment to sustainability and quality.
Sustaining BC & Canadian Wine Culture
While we pride ourselves on the beauty and uniqueness of the wines that originate from our Similkameen vineyards, bringing in grapes from Washington was a necessary interim step to ensure the continued success of both our own winery and British Columbia’s wine industry during challenging times. By purchasing these wines, please know that you are directly supporting a BC winery, its employees, and the broader Canadian wine community.
Clos du Soleil’s Washington Series Wines!
Now, all that remains is for us to introduce the actual wines to you! We have three new wines which will be released soon (and a couple of other exciting wines later on – watch this space) – with our wine club members getting first access, followed by general release a little later.
Our Washington Series includes the following wines:
- Sauvignon Blanc 2024 ~ NOW AVAILABLE!
- Chardonnay 2024 ~ coming soon
- Rosé 2024 ~ coming soon
We are delighted to be able to bring these exciting new wines to you in the coming days and are confident that they will find a place in your collection, alongside our beloved BC VQA wines.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected].