This winery is rated as the number two winery in B.C. and number three in Canada, according to the 2021 WineAlign National Wine Awards! And it’s located in a beautiful location on the eastern shores of Skaha Lake in the central Okanagan. It’s Blasted Church and it is creating a blast among wine circles for making a lot of noise about the heavenly quality of its wines.
But where did that blasted name come from? In 1929, a crew from Okanagan Falls journeyed to a deserted mining camp to dismantle an old wooden church and bring it to OK Falls. The plan called for a controlled blast inside the church to loosen the nails. The resulting out-of-control explosion blew out the wooden walls but spared the wood from damage during dismantling. Now the century-old church stands proudly in its second home in the Okanagan.
Today I review three of their current wines. The Blasted Church Vineyards 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon ($28; 89 points, Very Good) is a tasty blend of 66-per-cent Sauvignon and 33-per-cent Semillon. Some grapes were picked on the estate and others at the north end of Okanagan Lake at different times. Part of the harvest was barrel fermented and aged in French oak and left on lees whereas the rest was done in stainless steel. As a result, Winemaker Evan Saunders has a lot of ‘wine pigment’ on his palate to ‘paint’ his ‘work of art’. It's a gentler wine than a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc because B.C. Sauvignons tend to be less ”in your face gooseberry”.
Before I opened the wines, the labels with Classical Renaissance figures impressed me. The labels might be classical, but the wines are modern and delicious.
The Sauvignon Blanc Semillon’s aroma reveals orchard fruit and citrus as the Semillon tones down the assertiveness of the Sauvignon. On the palate, there’s plenty of ripe pears, lemon, grapefruit with some mint. Add to that, lots of mouth-watering crispness from the SB and richness of texture from the Semillon.
Delicious with the Jerk Chicken and Coconut Cream Rice I cooked on the weekend. Put on some Bob Marley and you’ll be wanting to reggae with joy! With its herbal character and natural acidity, the Sauvignon Semillon would also pair well with spring salads.
My second recommendation is full of fruit and vitality, the Blasted Church 2020 Viognier ($24; 90 points, Very Good). Grapes are sourced from the winery’s estate vineyard on the Skaha Bench, the Crespo Vineyard on the Osoyoos West Bench, and the Redbrick Vineyard on the Osoyoos East Bench. The wine reveals a generous aroma of stone fruit and citrus with a gentle herbal character.
There’s plenty of ripe peach, apricot, and orange flavours with green herbs and licorice in its medium body. Expect a refreshing wave of vibrant acidity with a persistent tropical fruit finish sprinkled with pepper.
The Blasted Church Viognier paired well with my Jerk Chicken and Coconut Rice but it would be delicious with Pad Thai or a lamb tagine and apricots.
One of the best red grapes from the Okanagan is Merlot, and Blasted Church’s 2018 Merlot is a winner ($34; 91 points, Outstanding). The Merlot grapes were sourced from the estate vineyard contributed to the ripe fruit and body. In addition, 5% Malbec from the Mariposa vineyard in the Similkameen Valley added more complexity, refined acid, and tannin structure.
Deep garnet in the glass, there’s a bountiful aroma of dark fruit with toasted oak, tealeaves, and dark chocolate with a pinch of graphite. Tasting this full-bodied wine you get to savour the rich and elegant black plum, blackberries, and cherries with slightly grainy tannins and minerals. As Winemaker Evan Saunders concludes, “The elegant finish of plum, dark berries, and baking spices is supported by a well-integrated and refreshing acid backbone.”
Delicious with the “Party Steak” I cooked using grilled filet mignon over a bed of roasted pimentos, garlic butter, and the Merlot, with a side of roast potatoes.
You can buy these three Blasted Church wines online from their website.
They’re open for wine sales only, 9 am – 5 pm. Check out private stores and government stores near you for other blessed wines from Blasted Church Vineyards.
Go in peace and enjoy!
