Play Estate Winery 2014 Ad Lib, Okanagan Valley, $18

The Penticton Indian Band in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley is following in the footsteps of the Osoyoos Indian Band to the south with its proximity to a winery project. Play Estate Winery is poised to become a destination project of Stagewest Hospitality and part of a new development overlooking Skaha Lake on property leased from the band. Fortunately, they’ve brought aboard Mohamed Awad to oversee the wine program and other phases of the master plan, and he’s spearheaded this fruit-forward blend of Sauvignon Blanc (76%) and Sèmillon as uplifting and melodic as O-o-h, Child by The Five Stairsteps. Beautiful tropical aromas of passion fruit, pink grapefruit and melon and honeysuckle sing on the palate with a persistent grapefruit and lime juice finish. It’s presented crisp and clean with a profile similar to the Basque grape Hondarrabi Zuri, which bodes well for tapas, steamed mussels or the suggested pairing of oregano-influenced roast chicken served with roasted cauliflower and kale salad. At this point, sales must be orchestrated via the winery, but the tasting room is scheduled to open this spring.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 350 cases

Alcohol: 12.5%

Winery website

Wine of the Week newsletter