Inniskillin Icewine Harvest - Dark Horse Vineyard
Ideal weather conditions on January 12th for Inniskillin Okanagan to start its Icewine harvest in the West at the Dark Horse Vineyard, Oliver, B.C.
The morning of January 12th brought ideal conditions in Oliver, B.C. at the Dark Horse Vineyard for Inniskillin Okanagan to start its Icewine harvest in the West. In an interesting coincidence, the Arctic outflow occurred on the same date in 2012, enabling this year's vintage to be picked on the exact same day as last year.
Vineyard Manager Troy Osborne led the chilly, early morning harvest of Riesling along with Winemaker Sandor Mayer to get the grapes in before temperatures warmed up. Mayer was pleased that the conditions allowed for good natural sugars and acidities essential to him producing a well balanced Riesling Icewine.
The Arctic outflow saw the temperatures dip to -13C enabling the grapes to achieve optimal sugar levels, averaging 42 brix. The combination of an excellent long, warm growing season in the south Okanagan with the blast of subzero weather allowed the grapes to reach the desired aroma and flavour profiles of intense, concentrated fruit that is so desired in premium Icewine.
Mayer's early assessment of their 2012 vintage of Riesling Icewine is that it is exceptional.
The Dark Horse Vineyard is a signature 22 acre vineyard for Inniskillin that was planted in 1990 under the direction of Sandor Mayer.