B . C . ' S T O P W I N E R I E S
several years is also a product of the
innovative techniques that winemakers are
incorporating into their processes.
One of the key components to this,
according to Quails' Gate winemaker Nikki
Calloway, is the "melting pot of nationalities
bringing with them great ideas."
"We are New World wineries, with many
of the winemakers coming from countries
such as France, Australia, New Zealand and
Germany," says Calloway,
who completed a Diplôme
National d'Oenologue at
the prestigious University
of Bordeaux. "With
that comes different
technologies from across
the world. Then, we take
those [ideas] and we figure
out what works best here."
The fundamental
process of fermentation,
which is centuries old,
remains. However, new
equipment and processes
continually evolve. Calloway says it's about
matching techniques and products—such
as irrigation systems and automated
temperature controls—to Kelowna's
weather, soil and topography that creates
award-winning wines.
"The old school way of temperature
control was time consuming," she adds. "We
had to manually look up the temperature on
every tank. The Pinot Noir is very sensitive
to temperature changes and had to be
moved six to seven times a day."
Now, with the new automated thermal
regulated temperature control, Calloway
can simply go to her computer and read the
temperature on every tank on her screen.
She can then change the temperatures if
need be from her home computer.
"We just installed the new software
a month ago and it is extremely bene-
ficial, not only for Pinot Noir, but for
white wines that need to be fermented at
lower temperatures."
Having said that, sometimes what is
old is new again. Recently, there has been
the emergence of egg fermenters. Crafted
from concrete and breathe-like barrels,
they don't expose oak flavours to the wine.
They are easier to stir around the sediment
of the wine; adding complexity and weight
to the wines.
As for the future of the wine industry in
Kelowna, Calloway and Gebert see one filled
with promise where many more of its wines
will become internationally acclaimed.
New technology is elevating
the quality of the wine being
produced in Kelowna
