So, as many of you know, we offer our “Jaden” icewine from Canada, which is were I was born and all my family still reside. In Canada, we refer to this juice as “liquid gold” for several reasons; first, you are required to leave your lucious grapes hanging on the vine past harvest and into the cold Canada winter months so that you can pick them at their optimal prime — which by wine regulations for “icewine,” is minus 10 degrees celsius. Second, the wine-making process is intense as you are extracting the juice from frozen marble-like grapes which results in less juice but pure natural sweetness and perfect balance of acidity of this rare a delectable wine!
And while Lisa and Ben (as most everyone who knows us “knows” are the captains of our tasting room) have done more than a fine job at describing the origin and process of this very rare wine, but we felt it necessary (ok, and a bit of fun) to bring them on a family vacation with us where we source these grapes from my brother in the Okanagan Valley. Needless to say, we all had a great time….Me, Colleen, Lisa, Ben, our two children (Marleigh and Tyson), my brother, his wife Decoa, and their six kids toured the Okanagan Valley to view the sights and learn about the unique wines that originate from this neighboring country where I was born. Lisa and Ben learned firsthand how this amazing icewine comes to fruition — and about the patience of the people who stand behind its making. Not to mention, the Okanagan Valley is essentially like Napa, but instead of the valley floor residing between Hwy. 29 and Silverado Trail, there is a lake that runs more than 83 miles long — which we enjoyed the sights and swimming holes from my brother’s boat and those of his friends who paritcipated in our tour of this awesome wine region in Canada! Here are just a couple pics to share our experience with you:
What an amazing trip we had. Eh?