Wines from two Summerland wineries have been recognized as some of the best in the Okanagan Valley.
At the 21st Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, Silkscarf Winery and Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery were both honoured.
Silkscarf Winery was named a Best of Varietal Finalist in the Rose/Blush category for their 2014 Saignée, in the Syrah/Shiraz Based Blends category for their 2011 Shiraz Viognier and in the Viognier category for their 2014 Viognier.
Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery was named a Best of Varietal Finalist in the Gamay category for their 2012 Gamay Noir and in the Red Blends Other category for their 2012 Merlot Malbec.
Roie Manoff, owner and winemaker at Silkscarf, said the awards are given to the top 20 per cent of wineries in the Okanagan.
“It’s rewarding when a customer or a panel of judges likes our wine,” he said.
The winery started operations in 2004 and opened its wine shop in 2006.
Diane Sarglepp, co-owner of Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery, said she appreciates the recognition.
“We’re really pleased,” she said. “They are delicious wines.”
Her husband Andy, co-owner of the winery, is also the winemaker.
The winery opened in August 2011 and has received awards and accolades each year since 2012.
“It’s all about the quality for us,” she said.
The wines were judged in late April by a panel of 15 wine experts. This year, 479 wines were entered in 27 categories.
The judges narrowed the selection to 114 finalists and one winner in each category,
“A big thanks to our judges that diligently tasted through the record number of entries for the 2015 Best of Varietal Awards,” said Julian Scholefield of Okanagan Crush Pad Winery and judging chair for the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society.
“We are thrilled that our member wineries have embraced this competition and continue to support it year after year.”