Early pick for icewine


It was another early year for growers to


pick frozen berries for making icewine, although a week later than last year. In all, 20 wineries registered this winter to pick grapes for icewine, on about 169 acres. It was estimated there would be about 722 tons of fruit, which is down from what was actually picked in 2014, at 844. The first 11 tons were picked in the Central Okanagan, where temperatures dropped to a low of -13 C on Nov. 25. Vidal, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were among the grapes picked in that early harvest.


First wineries to pick were Volcanic Hills in West Kelowna and Sperling Vineyards in Kelowna; then on Nov. 26 Tantalus Vineyards, Arrowleaf Cellars and Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna picked. Summerhill winemaker Eric von Krosigk feels it may be the best vintage ever for Okanagan icewine, and other winemakers agree.


Some that didn’t finish will pick after it warms up, to make a late harvest wine instead of icewine.


JUDIE STEEVES


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