LAST MONTH'S WINERY
Kalala
Kalala Organic Estate Winery is a producer of wines made with 100% certified organic grapes, located on the upper bench of West Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada.
This award-winning winery produces delicious wine with the balance between fruit and acidity, perfect aging, body and flavour true-to-varietal. Kalala produces light-to-crisp white wines, bold red wines, and has one of the largest portfolios of organic Icewines in British Columbia.
Wondering how Kalala Organic Estate Winery got its name? We did too!
The legend comes from the owner, Karnail’s grandparents who told him the story of how the village where he was born came to be. Long ago, in Northern India, farmers working in the beautiful and distant flatlands came upon a wolf and lamb sitting peacefully together. They believed this coexistence to be so inspiring that they moved their village to this very spot, in hopes that the same harmony would be reflected in their village, and named it Kalala, meaning Miracle Place.
Feeling that this story was reflective of the Okanagan Valley and his pursuit to grow the grapes in harmony with nature, he named his winery after this miraculous place Kalala.
Karnail Sidhu is the man behind the grapes. He moved to Canada in 1993 to pursue a better life for his wife, Narinder, and their future family. Originally immigrating as an Electrical Engineer, Karnail found that Canada would not recognize his degree and so he went back to his roots of organic farming. Karnail is a third generation organic farmer and he knew, with the orchards and vineyard’s in the beautiful Okanagan, that he would be able to make the land and fruits it produced completely organic and one with nature.
Starting at Summerhill Pyramid Winery in 1995, Karnail found his passion in the vineyard and in viticulture. He not only learned a lot of knowledge working at Summerhill Pyramid Winery, but also built life long friendships with his now winemakers at Kalala.
After Karnail found such passion working at Summerhill he begin planting his own vineyards and starting his own winery. He found a property in West Kelowna that would be the perfect venue and began soil remediation to turn non-organic vineyard’s and soil into organic. Karnail planted organic grapes starting in 2003 at what is now Kalala’s largest vineyard, located on the Upper Bench of West Kelowna. He planted 17 acres of organic grapes ranging from Chardonnay to Pinot Gris to Zweigelt. This vineyard is now the backdrop of the wine shop and picnic area at Kalala Organic Estate Winery.
Karnail officially opened the door of Kalala Organic Estate Winery on July 5th, 2008. Karnail was awarded Viticulturist of the Year for 2019. You can always find Karnail around the vineyard with his wife and daughter's by his side! Make sure to say hello and stay for a glass or two in the beautiful picnic area.
Now onto the wine we featured for the month of May...
2014 Aspire
A rich, bold blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with aromas and flavours of plum, blueberry and cherry. Abundant tannins would suggest decanting before serving with heartier foods. Delicious now but also an excellent wine to age; 3-5 years is suggested. A beautiful wine!
2018 Harmony White
This Kalala signature aromatic blend has a tropical nose and palate, full of ripe passion fruit, grapefruit and guava with just a hint of minerality. It is just slightly off dry with vibrant acidity and a lingering finish. Great sipping wine or try with some light snacks. We should mention this easy drinking wine is also available in a cask!
2019 Rosé
Kalala Rosé has a pink rose hue with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, lemon zest and honey suckle. On the palate, it has a light sweetness, with bright acidity & flavours of watermelon candy, and lemon. Perfect as a patio sipper, paired with: pizza, lighter meats, shellfish, roasted veggies, and cheese. Stock up on this one for summer!