Morning Bay Barrel Party

We were pleased to attend a private wine-tasting with Morning Bay Vineyard & Estate Winery. Keith and Barbara Watt hosted a pleasant late afternoon event, bringing along Hills Foods Ltd. for some samples of delicious hors d'oeuvres to complement their wines.

My Morning Bay favourites include the 2005 Merlot – Osoyoos Bench. This wine has some "oomph" to it for a Merlot, with a hint of tannins and a long finish. With some bottle age, this Merlot will be fabulous.

The 2005 Reserve Merlot – Inkameep Vineyards had a strawberry essence and was less tannic. I thought it was quite jammy, and also very pleasing.

I would also recommend the 2004 Cabernet Shiraz – Black Sage Bench. Kudos to Keith for experimenting a bit with the varietals! Another grand red, with some spice to it.

I am really looking forward to what the 2008 season holds for this BC winery. The barrel party was a fun occasion to kick off Spring, and an intimate sneak-peak of the Morning Bay products.

Author

  • Stacey Fruin is a passionate B.C. wine explorer, road‑trip enthusiast, and co‑founder of BC Wine Lover. A devoted cyclist and proud booster of the province’s wine community, she has tackled major charity rides including the Ride to Conquer Cancer and the Bicycle Trek for Life. When she’s not discovering new wineries or planning her next culinary creation, Stacey can be found enjoying life in Vancouver with her husband Mike and daughter Sophie. Beyond her wine adventures, she is also the co‑author of the leading guide to basic B.C. company law.