Sperling Vineyards
We were proud to feature Sperling Vineyards in May 2019.
Ann Sperling brings 25 years of international winemaking experience home to the vineyard she grew up on. Combining love and labour with the blessing of Okanagan sunshine, Ann takes pride in crafting elegant wines of character from the Sperling family estate and continues a cherished tradition begun by her great grandparents over 150 years ago.
Working with family members to steward the nurture of the land and energy of the sun, Ann sculpts the grapes to bring you unique wines of great distinction – a crowning complement to a career that has spanned coast-to-coast and as far afield as South Africa and Argentina in pursuit of winemaking excellence. Combining Love and Labour Since 1925.
Tasting Notes
ORGANIC OLD VINE PINOTS, 2017
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Pinot Blanc (60%) & Pinot Gris (40%)
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 12.5%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 322
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: A mineral-tined, lemon and white peach bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, green apple and green peach flavours with a thread of minerality and a lingering, lemony finish.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now or within the next two years.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Breadcrumb-crusted salmon, grilled halibut with peach and pepper salsa, seafood pasta with cream sauce, Camembert cheese, lemon pepper chicken with smashed red potatoes.
ORGANIC PINOT NOIR, 2017
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 12.6%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 594
Appearance: Light ruby in colour with a tawny note at the rim.
Nose: Spicy, strawberry puree nose.
Palate: Light to medium-bodied, dry, lean and sinewy, strawberry flavour with fresh acidity and a firm finish of ripe tannins. Reminiscent of Volnay. Good length.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now through 2020.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Seared and peppered tuna steak, Gruyere cheese, chocolate covered strawberries, black bean veggie burgers, prime rib with roasted garlic and grilled radicchio.
VISION CHARDONNAY, 2016
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 13%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 178
Appearance: Straw coloured.
Nose: Very Burgundian in style, with a spicy, lightly toasty nose of apple, lemon and green pineapple.
Palate: Medium-bodied, beautifully balanced with crisp apple and lemon flavours and well-integrated oak. Long, elegant finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drinking beautifully now but will age nicely for 3 – 4 years.
Critic Rating: 92 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Poached lobster with cream sauce, grilled pork chops with caramelized apples, apricot and chicken skewers, white pizza with mushroom and brie, and butternut squash soup.
OLD VINES FOCH RESERVE, 2016
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Marechal Foch
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 13.5%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 312
Appearance: Deep ruby-purple
Nose: Lightly cedary, spicy, plum bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, plum and cherry flavours with a creamy mouth-feel and a vanilla spike in mid palate from the oak. Fresh and lively in the mouth with a finish of pliant tannins.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or through 2021.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Braised lamb shanks with rosemary, grilled mackerel with garlic and paprika, flank steak with green beans and a baked potato, Cajun tofu tacos, and chocolate mousse.
ORGANIC NATURAL AMBER PINOT GRIS, 2017
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 11%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 150
Appearance: An ‘Orange’ wine made with natural yeasts, no sulphites added and no fining or filtering. As a result, it’s going to look hazy and will throw a deposit. Orange-amber in colour.
Nose: An earthy nose of crushed stones, orange peel and tealeaf complemented by a floral note.
Palate: Light to medium-bodied, flavours of tangerine and crab apple fill the palate. Because the grapes are not destemmed, you will experience a tannic lift on the finish that adds some grip and structure. A wine for the adventurous enthusiast.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Grilled rib eye steak with oyster mushrooms, yakitori chicken, braised pork shoulder with sautéed white onions, salmon stuffed with creamed spinach, tabbouleh salad.
MARKET RED, 2016
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Marechal Foch (90%) & Pinot Noir (10%)
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 12.2%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 500
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Spicy, vanilla and plum nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, clove and red plum flavours, well-structured with a lively spine of acidity. A cheerful, easy-drinking wine.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now through 2020.
Critic Rating: 88 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Spaghetti Bolognese, calzones with pepperoni and tomato sauce, pan-seared veal chops, duck confit, Mexican pozole, red curry with chickpeas.
OLD VINES RIESLING, 2015
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 10.7%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 200
Appearance: Bright, clear. Light hay-coloured core.
Nose: Light gasoline off the top, lime, saline, wet stone, lemon, honeysuckle.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. A gorgeous Riesling with nectarine, lime, and a lovely hint of honey. Very well-balanced – the fruit emerges fully while the wine offers structural complexity.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Wonderful quality. Drink now or hold up to 2 years.
Food Pairing: Hawaiian-style barbecued pork, pasta a la limone, jalapeño poppers, sesame fried chicken, and Ricotta cheese balls.
ORGANIC SPERITZ PET NAT, 2018
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Perle de Csaba
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 8.3%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 133
Appearance: Unfiltered, so slightly opaque with effervescence. Very pale straw core.
Nose: Lemon, lime, mineral undertones.
Palate: Medium acid, light body. Lime, minerality, floral notes.
Quality: Very Good. 87 points. Drink now. Serve well chilled.
Food Pairing: Smoked salmon with dill, Pad Thai with shrimp, yellow coconut curry, cheesy nachos with guacamole, and fish tacos with fruit salsa.
MARKET WHITE, 2016
Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Kelowna, BC
Varietal: Perle de Csaba (33%), Bacchus (18%), Pinot Blanc (23%), Vidal (26%)
Vineyard: Sperling Estate
Alcohol: 10.5%
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 450
Appearance: Clear, bright. Light straw core.
Nose: Light oak spice, lemon, Macintosh apple, orange blossom.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Citrus and stone fruit flavours like nectarine. A nice touch of honey. Very pleasant and well balanced.
Quality: Very Good+. 88 points. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Grilled asparagus with chilli flakes, blue cheese with honey, pineapple chicken kebobs, green salad with walnuts and feta cheese, and hearty potato salad.