Today we were at a women’s only wine tour, newly established and poised as an experience with the safety and comfort of the women involved in mind. Ideal for solo guests and those who don’t want to have to worry about driving and arranging all the stops on such a crawl. Five different wineries across eight hours with pick up and drop off included, and today was the perfect sunny day to enjoy it on.
Our first stop was Gate 22, which was once Cavallo. Located on the cusp of Surrey and Langley in an industrial area, you would not expect to find such a winery here.
We would enjoy their “Benchmark Tasting”, advertised as five 1oz pours. Whereas they once only sourced grapes from Napa, the rebrand has them looking internationally for their fruit.
The Palomino is a mix of Moscato, Riesling, and Chardonnay. It gave me apricot and gasoline and would have gone great with cheese.
Their new Rosé reminded me of a candy peach ring and beckoned the sweetness of summer.
Treason was thin on the lips with a mix of bright cherry and plum, cut with grassy notes. It was nice slightly chilled and would pair well with Italian food.
The Syrah was jammy with blackberry and a higher level of acidity.
We ended on the Zinfandel which was my favourite of the five with the sweeteness of raisins and dates, coating the mouth like syrup.
Admittedly I was the most exuberant on the first stop, and my wine tasting notes did fall off the further along we went on this tour with all the drinking and not spitting.
Our second stop required a lengthy drive, but one that was worth it given how unique the winery was. A chic and modern building, Otter Trail Winery had us swivelling our heads, it didn’t feel like we were in Langley anymore.
It was just a shame that we were visiting off season and their backyard vines were still underdevelopment.
They are advertised as a winery, but more restaurant than bar, and the only destination that allows for tasting you can have with a meal.
They only have three wine options, a house blend table red and white, and their literal “Showstopper”. We got our wines first and nursed them waiting for our food. There was a bit of a backup, and a wait guests seated before us. The hazard of planning such a time crunch tour like this is that, you can’t anticipate other guests and external forces.
I found the White wine high in acidity with grassy notes that scratched the throat. The Red gave me rhubarb and a briney saline quality.
The Showjumper was a young wine that needed to breathe. It is given a slight smokiness and some body influence from a barrel age.
On weekends it is all day brunch, with a handful of more fulsome lunch plates available, for those looking for something more heartier. The others went for the latter, but I could not pass up on the prospect of a Korean inspired chicken and waffles. Karaage Waffles with Crispy Chicken, Siracha Honey Garlic, Arugula Salad, and Poached Egg.
Crispy nuggets of gojujang marinaded fried chicken. These were more sweet and tangy than spicy, but with enough zest to carry the sweet pile of pre-chopped, bite-sized liege waffles; with its telltale pockets of sugar crystals. The crispiness of the breaded chicken matched the edges of the waffles, the arugula and raw red onions added freshness, and egg crowning it made it breakfast ready.
The others got sablefish, a creamy mushroom pasta with truffle oil, and lamb shank with potatoes.
However we were on a set schedule, and were unable to start or enjoy our meal. This we would take photos of and then pack to go for the car ride to stop number three.
It is here we advised having less stops, to be able to linger and enjoy the setting and our meal on plates, instead of with hands from take out boxes, in the car while we travelled to stop number three.
I am already familar with Backyard Winery, but this would be my first time taking their group tour. This is where we would learn how they use their own vineyard grown Pinot noir grapes to make their champagne style sparkling.
We were late, but able to hop in mid intro. Their vines are planted 20 years ago, whereas most are good up to 50 years. They replace each as needed, protecting the yield, considering it takes three plus years to have vines mature and grow grapes. Harvesting happens late August to November.
We learned how their grapes went from vine to wine, helping us to appreciate their wines from table to reserve. They use French, American, and Hungarian oak to age and deploying various levels of toasting. We learned how wine barrels lose a litre each per month, through a process call bleeding. They have additional vintages of the same wine to use as a top up as needed.
Here, we enjoyed a flute of their sparkling within their production area, amongst the cooled barrels and stainless steel tanks. We noted the dimples on the perimeter of the latter to help the wine cool within.
The Sparkling was done in the Charmat method, where CO2 is added after the fact. It had notes of tangerine, apple, and, barlette pear. It also had a yeastiness that claws at the back of the jaw.
We then moved to the their tasting room, where each tour goer was able to taste three more wines of their choosing. The following are my picks.
The 2022 Bacchus is a sharp German style grape grown exclusively in the Fraser Valley. A bouquet of elderflower, pear and citrus on the nose. It pairs well with salads or charcuterie.
The 2021 Caberne Sauvignon is grown on a steep Hillside in the south Okanagan Valley and was harvested in October 2021. This Cabernet Sauvignon underwent a 5 day cold soak and 31 day maceration, before aging 12 months in barrel. It is described as Christmas in a glass with spicy notes of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon complemented by red current, ripe strawberry, and a hint of chocolate. Lots of black pepper on the nose, this was more intense than I know a medium bodied Cab Sav to be.
The Reserve Porch Wine was their fortified red port dessert wine. Once opened it lasts for three month. Created with a Black Forest cake in mind, it calls upon notes of chocolate, aged cheddar, and stilton. A syrupy dessert in a glass.
Our fourth stop was Township 7, where I enjoyed their wine the most. Paired with their cheese tasting, it elevated the experience, offering something different from that of the other tastings.
Four glasses of wine and their carefully curated cheese tasting pairing. We were advised that the second taste was the one to note, where the first is needed to climatized the palate.
The 2021 Benchmark Series Riesling was paired with a Jersey Blue cheese from Maple Ridge. The wine is off dry fermenbded in a concrete egg, where it is kept in motion. A small portion is aged in oak offering high acidity, which is good for cellaring.
I love the distinct nuttiness of a funky blue and how it adds softness to anything it is paired with, making it more approachable. Whereas simultaneously the bright acidity and slight sweetness of the Riesling cuts through the intense flavour of the Jersey Blue, softening its boldness, helping to highlight the cheese’s rich, creamy texture.
Next was Township’s Gewürztraminer, an aromatic white that is creamy without any yeast. A cotton candy sugar with tropical lychee notes. It doesn’t overpower, but has its fruitiness complimenting the spicy kick of its Chili Gouda pairing. Together this is a balanced contrast that enhances both the wine and cheese, hampering both so that they harmonize.
Their 2022 Benchmark Series Pinot Noir is prepared in a concrete egg for added minerality. It is paired with the Jemma Brie knowing the truffled umami of the cheese will pop with the earthy and delicate cherry notes of the Pinot Noir.
The 2022 Provenance Series Cabernet Sauvignon has a cheese aged three years plus to match. The robust tannins and dark fruit profile of the Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly complement the sharp, nutty taste of the 3+ years aged cheddar, creating a rich and savoury combination.
Our final stop had us slowing down and enjoying the sun soaked front yard of Chaberton Estate Winery, the first winery to open in Langley. A family estate with the first grapes planted in the Fraser Valley in 1980. They started their production in 1985, as the oldest winery in the Fraser Valley.
Guest looking for a flight have their choice of 4 between 8. The following are what caught my eye.
The 2024 Pinot Gris is left to soak on the skin before pressing to give it its romantic colour and exotic aromas of orange blossom and grapefruit combined with the bright acidity and flavours of melon, citrus and red apple. I got juicy, tropical notes with honey dew.
2022 Barrel Aged Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged on the lees for 10 months, and undergoing malolactic fermentation alongside alcohol fermentation. It has aromas of buttered popcorn and sweet warm brioche with a refreshing palate of honey-lemon, brown butter, and toasted brioche. I got a viscosity of rich oils and cooked green mango.
2023 Charberton Pink is a Zweigelt Gewürztraminer blend that underwent 48 hours of skin contact together to obtain its deep pink colour. The free run juice was joined by Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris to produce notes of rhubarb, raspberry, and cranberry. Leaving vibrant notes of pomegranate and watermelon. I got strawberry on the nose with white grape and ripe strawberries on the palate.
2020 Meritage is an elegant full body blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It is spicy on the nose with notes of black currant, ripe prunes and dried cranberries with hints of rosemary and bay leaf. It ends on reined flavours of black olives, pomegranate, vanilla and baking spices accentuating and extending its finish. I got lush cherry, warm leather, and tart raspberry.
In short, this was such a great way to get better acquainted with the wineries of Langley, in the safety and comfort of an all women party, hosted and organized by an sommelier. I recommend this for both singles and groups. They also host trips out to the Okanagan for winery tours there. Be sure to check out their website for discounts and event days.
