Black Sage Vineyard

VANCOUVER & OKANAGAN, BC, Sept. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - There's no wine growing region in the world quite like the Black Sage Bench. After years under the umbrella of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, the red wines of Black Sage Vineyard^TM are stepping into the spotlight with their own singular identity.

Once home only to cattle and cowboys, the rugged Black Sage Bench has some of the hottest vineyard sites in Canada. With soaring mid-summer temperatures, this barren pocket of desert gets a fraction of the annual precipitation of Bordeaux and Burgundy making this hot, dry viticulture region ideal for growing red Bordeaux varieties. For 20 years the Black Sage Vineyard has done just that - in fact, it was the very first on the bench to do so.

Now, Black Sage Vineyard^TM is taking the unique step of only producing wines that are suited to our vineyard site. This means removing plantings our winemaker and vineyard team think don't fit the bill and potentially adding some that do.

The red wines from Black Sage Vineyard™ are a true expression of their terroir. The determined vines must dig deep into the parched landscape, their efforts producing intense flavours. Bold and juicy, they are planted in the right location, the right soil, and get the right amount of sunlight; they are wines worthy of distinction, and the new labels confidently reflect that.

"A better vineyard for integrated wines would be hard to come by in the Okanagan," says winemaker, Jason James.  "I can honestly say that what's inside our brand new Black Sage Vineyard™ label is better than it's ever been."

With a streamlined portfolio focusing strictly on what this vineyard does best, Black Sage Vineyard™ now produces four wines: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pipe, a fortified blend. The current release of Black Sage Vineyard™ wines are priced between $21.99 and $24.99 and are listed with the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch, boutique wine shops throughout BC and Alberta and select restaurants.

At the northernmost point of the Sonora Desert sits Canada's beautiful Okanagan Valley. Black Sage Vineyard™ wines represent the best of the Okanagan Valley, and demonstrate what happens when the right vines are planted in the right location. Black Sage Vineyard™ strives to bring customers wines that reflect the unique qualities of its exceptional appellation, wines of a clear and purposeful vision that embrace what the vineyard does best.

For high-res images, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/8qhc4hh

SOURCE: Black Sage Vineyard

Media Contact:
Jody Levesque
Marketing Manager, Western Estates VQA
Constellation Brands
e: [email protected]
p: 604.451.9511 ext 6040