Why go to any ordinary bar or just any restaurant for a glass of wine, when you can attend the Little Engine Winery’s Popup, this weekend only.
Instead of heading up to the Naramata Bench to check out this local Okanagan winery, they have come down to Vancouver to bring a taste of their wines to you.
We attended the very first searing of this two day event, held at the bohemian themed floral boutique Leis de Buds. The stunning space served as the perfect backdrop for this intimate tasting.
This is a ticketed event and guests make their purchase online, ahead of time. Seating is assigned, but with so many options from tables, to couches, and even swings; if you ask, they will give you the option to pick you seat.
My girl friend and I were lucky enough to be assigned the swinging chairs. I was ecstatic. For those familiar with Leis de Buds, you know their wicker chairs are a design staple, and a centre piece to their first and original location on West 4th.
This, their new 2 storey location is off the main street, and is a larger space with plenty of sprawling room. This is a destination as they host floral workshops here. The decor is a perfect mix of twine, rope, rattan, and green plants to cultivate this tranquil scene. So serene that we over sat our stay at 3 hours for a 4 glass wine tastings.
Thai was a family affair, as they were in town and personally hosting this event. They went as far as bringing their own family photos of their property to hang on the walls today. A collection take right off the walls of their family home. And featuring the hands and feet of their matriarch enjoying a glass of Little Engine Wine by the fireplace.
Our four glass wine tasting was brought out to us at our seats, two at a time. Given an overview description by the son, followed by check-ins from the father with tasting notes.
Little Engine started in 2011. They planted their vines in 2012, and yielded their first vintage in 2014. To overcome the decline in tourism and visits to their winery, they have decided to pack up and bring their wines and glasses to Vancouver for this trunk show of sorts.
Our first glass was the 2022 Elevation Chardonnay fermented in stainless steel. This was envisioned as a summer white, looking tor a sweeter wine with a crisp and fresher mouth-feel.
To follow, we had their 2020 Gold Chardonnay, aptly named for its bolder yellow hue, especially when compared to the Chardonnay before. 53% aged in new French oak for 17 months, and the flavour shows. A bolder wine with a thicker finish on the lips.
We then switched to red with the Elevation Pinot Noir, done Beaujolais with gamay grapes for a straightforward wine. This is part of Little Engine’s core brand Pinot Noir collection, made from estate grown grapes all in stainless steel. A summer Pinot, served chill to set it apart. This was different from other reds I have tried with a smokey and oaky, woodsy finish. It coats the mouth and leaves it with a spicy seasoned end.
Out of the two I preferred the 2020 Union Bordeaux style red. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. Served room temperature, this was a bigger, more fruit forward red that would pair with heavier red meats.
And as a bonus we got a taste of their 2020 Platinum Pinot Noir, unique in that this is a terroir driven red, and features grapes from a single vineyard. Whereas they typically take clones to ferment and barrel all in one. This had such a unique essence to it and smelled like how it tasted: a caramelized bacon sprinkled with coarse sea salt. Definitely one you need to have with food to help cut into its could be overwhelming tone. I would specifically pair this with steak in a mushroom gravy, along with a side of Swiss chard.
Little Engine organizes their wines in tiers. Where silver is your accessible and drinkable table wines. The Golds known for their bold and complex flavours, and for being not as readily available. And the Platinum, like the above is their cellar driven, purchase to age collection.
In closing, we walked away from this tasting with new found appreciation for their wines, and a Little Engine wine bottle plushie.
You have all of tomorrow to check them up, before they pack up and head home for the weekend. For tickets visit the link below.
https://littleenginewines.com/
Leis de Buds
1695 W 5th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1N5
Granville Isl lic Ma
(604) 428-7858
