Phantom Creek puts focus on Riesling and Pinot Gris

By Lisa Riley

Published: 03 May, 2018

Phantom Creek Estates has partnered with Olivier Humbrecht MW as part of its strategy to start producing Riesling and Pinot Gris.

Humbrecht, France’s first MW, will in his role as consultant help select and develop vineyard sites that have the “potential for excellence” for growing Riesling and Pinot Gris – two of British Columbia’s signature grape varieties.

Working closely with Phantom Creek’s winemaker and chief executive Ross Wise, Humbrecht would play an integral role in the winery’s white winemaking program, said Wise, adding the producer’s state of the art winery, including an Alsatian inspired foudre room, had been designed with Humbrecht’s input too.

“Having visited three times already, I know the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys are capable of producing exceptional Pinot Gris and Riesling with great vineyard character,” said Humbrecht.

The partnership follows Humbretch, who owns Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, initiating the winery’s transition to organic and biodynamic in 1997 – an initiative he will guide as part of the new partnership with the winery.

Phantom Creek’s 67 acres of estate vineyards on the Black Sage Bench, including the historic Phantom Creek and Sundial Vineyards, have been farmed according to organic practices since 2017.

“We believe organic and biodynamic farming will result in the highest quality fruit from our estate vineyards and, as the authority on biodynamic farming, Olivier is an indispensable source of knowledge,” said executive director and winemaker Ross Wise.

Having farmed heat-seeking varieties ideally suited to the South Okanagan, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, Phantom Creek’s wines will be released in spring 2019 coinciding with the opening of the winery, with the first vintage made in a temporary facility on the property in 2016.

Printer friendly version