Amour, Amour!

Ten years ago when we planted the vineyard block that we call the “Back Acher”, we had trouble choosing which varietals. After much debate, we based our decision on what seemed to be successful already in the County, and also based on a growing enthusiasm for sparkling wine: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. We made single varietal wines as the vineyard matured and we learned more about both viticulture and winemaking. Then we planned to begin an artisinal-scale traditional method sparkling wine program starting in 2018.

In 2018 we lost Nanna, the grande damme and matron of our family, to breast cancer. Nanna was a big supporter of our vineyard endeavours. She loved sitting in our sunroom watching people come to enjoy our wines. “Let’s call our new sparkling wine ‘Amour’,” I said to Micheline.

Nanna always signed letters to Micheline and her other children with “Amour, Nanna”. It would be the perfect name for a sparkling wine, and the perfect tribute to reflect Nanna’s deep love for family, and our love for her.

For this first vintage of Amour, we are doing everything by hand — bottling, riddling, disgorging, and final packaging. We will release it in 120 bottle batches at select times of the year. Each consecutive batch will have spent more time ageing on the lees, until the final batch, which will have had almost 2 years on the lees. A fun and interesting project. And a wonderful wine made from our estate grapes. The first release promises to be pink, fruity, fizzy, and tart and will be released for Valentine’s day weekend. Why not share some Amour with someone you love?