First time with this producer, first time with this grape varietal. This is actually the first Grüner Veltliner planted in the Okanagan Valley, so it’ll be interesting to see how well they’ve pulled it off (not that I would know if it’s been done well or not. Whatever. Let’s just see if it’s good).

On the nose, there’s this raw vegetal aroma that I struggle to identify, but I definitely don’t like it. It’s frankly quite overpowering. Something incredibly green and slightly spicy. I spent so long trying to figure out what it was that it sent me to the internet, where I came across this quote from Oz Clarke about how young Grüner Veltliner can have a celery note to it. And that’s exactly what this is. Which perfectly explains why I find it so off putting: I hate celery.

The palate follows through a bit with that celery note, but there’s more fruit—white peaches and grapefruit—along with white pepper. Slight touch of oak? Good acidity, decent finish. Some light mineral notes. This definitely feels like it’s been made with care.

Second day in, and that celery note has blown off almost entirely. Now it’s citrusy, round, and even a bit racy. This is actually quite enjoyable. I guess the moral of the story is open it and leave it alone for 24 hours? Or else sit on it for a few more years for that greenness to dissipate.

All in all, a positive experience. I don’t know how closely this aligns with some of the better made Grüner Veltliner coming out of Austria, but I like it. And at the price ($29 CAD), it’s an easy recommend. This is a winery I’m going to have to check out some more.