Did you know there is a wine tasting dedicated to natural and organic wines only? I didn’t until a friend invited to to my first year of Farmhouse Fest 2023.
They host a weekend of drinking under the sun at UBC Farms, on the University Endowment Lands. Saturday Day 1 was all about Saison, Sour, Lambic, Wild Ale, and Cider. This is a specialty Craft Beer and Cider event celebrating the above pours since 2015.
The goal is to discover Funky, Sour, Dry, Fruity, and Complex notes, brewed with a focus on tradition. As taken from the event website, Vendors speak to “mixed fermentation products that are given the proper time to age in barrels and foudres, and evolve into something unique.”
As I am not big on beers, I decided to partake in Day 2 instead. Sunday was the Farmhouse Fest Wine Fair, described as a “fun-filled day of sipping on delicious thoughtful wines”.
Branded as “a thoughtful Wine Fair featuring artisanal producers that believe in sustainable action and honest winemaking practices. Their intention is to further the exposure of these products and promote a larger conversation surrounding organic and biodynamic farming. They hope to spark interest, offer insight, and connect with like minded individuals along with those who are simply just curious.”
Tickets were available for the full or just a half day. Starting at 11:30an or 2pm respectively, with the last pour at 5pm sharp. Where guests are allowed to linger in the space until 5:30pm.
We went for half the day ticket at $70, but considering the number of tables to visit, all the venders behind each one, the amount of wines that were being showcased, and how large the pours were; you definitely should consider the day pass at $125. And with the need to wait in lines we definitely did not hit them all.
As with everyone else, we planted ourselves at a table and went through tasting their entire line up from white to red, or the order they recommended. Each hosted 8-10 bottles with the option to spit or pour into a pail, and rinse the commemorate, branded, keepsake glass with water as necessary.
Event goers are welcomed to bring their own food to accompany their wine tasting, with show runners suggesting guests bring a blanket to have a picnic amongst the orchard/ at UBC Farm/. And we would do just that bringing cuts of meats and cheeses, dried fruit, nuts, and even the board to display them all on.
But for those who didn’t have the forethought there are plenty of picnic tables in the covered seating area, and barrels that doubles as high top tables to stand around. Plus a few food venders to purchase from.
The Via Tevere food truck with sandwiches made from their pizza dough and ingredients. Faim Raclette serving heated cheese over boiled nugget potatoes, and Noisette by Olivia for something sweet.
We would order from the former two, a caprese panini and a plate of cheese over potatoes, paired without curated picnic under the shade of a baby apple tree. From here we would take turns grabbing wine tastings and bringing it back for one other.
The tasting itself went by pretty fast and I didn’t get a chance to take many or any notes, trying to get in as many sips as possible. So please refer to the photos to get a better sense of things.
I did note majority of what I had were aged in stainless steel vats for a cleaner taste. Many more were murky with debris, and a few more with an acidic to chemical flavour. I don’t believe I have had many wines like these and can definitely confirm that they are a category all their own. Interestingly I found some were similar to beers and ciders, especially given the ability to compare and contrast from a few of the booths offering both. Truly a unique experience and tasting.
The two most memorable was the table with Japanese wines. For some reason I was surprised to learn that Japan had locally produced wine. And like majority of their products the label was aesthetically pleasing. An illustration of local Japanese birds for their bottle of white and rose.
I also became a fan of Plot wines, local to the Okanagan, South Kelowna. Four bottles with varying degrees of skin contact for a bolder hue and stronger essence. I especially liked the lighter two orange wine options, “it’s nice”.
For those who have never been and are interested in learning more about regenerative farming, honest winemaking, and the community, be sure you check out the link below for your next year’s fair
