Kalala Organic Estate Winery
We were proud to feature Kalala Organic Estate Winery in July 2021.
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.
The results are in every bottle of their award-winning BC VQA wines: 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.
Certified organic in September 2010, Kalala’s philosophy is to allow the varietal characteristics and terroir to be truly expressed and enhanced by minimal handling during winemaking. In 2020, the B.C. Grape Growers’ Association presented its inaugural Viticulturist of the Year award to Karnail. The award is given to individuals in the BC grape growing industry who strive to grow the very best wine grapes.
Tasting Notes
DOSTANA CHARDONNAY, 2018
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Westbank Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 4.19 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 111
Appearance: Straw colour.
Nose: Minerally, sage and apple nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, savoury, green apple flavour with lively acidity and an herbal finish.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now through 2022.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Garlic-sesame green beans, salmon piccata, soft pretzels with mustard dip, stone fruit gazpacho with scallops, and roasted carrot soup.
ASPIRE, 2014
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Syrah (15%)
Vineyard: Merlot – Naramata Vineyard; Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah – Paulson Vineyard, Osoyoos
Alcohol: 14.4%
Residual Sugar: 3.46 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,462
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, toasty, spicy, savoury nose of blueberry with herbal notes and evident aromas of American oak.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, plum and blackcurrant flavours with licorice notes. Well-balanced and rich in the mouth.
Quality: Outstanding. Cellar for at least two years for maximum enjoyment.
Critic Rating: 91 – 93 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Braised beef brisket with daikon, skirt steak with pinto beans, lentil and aubergine stew, bacon-wrapped pork loin with blackberry glaze, and roasted lamb with gravy.
DOSTANA RIESLING, 2016
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Mariposa and Chandra Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 309
Appearance: Light golden colour.
Nose: Honeyed petrol nose with a floral note and a touch of oak.
Palate: Medium-bodied, just off-dry, honeyed apple, lychee and tangerine flavours. Beautifully balanced and lingering.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or hold a couple of years to intensify the bouquet.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Garganelli pasta with crab and broccolini, lime and basil-cured trout, pork chops with apple and ginger chutney, artichoke and white bean hummus crostini, and chili-spiced grilled pineapple.
PINOT NOIR, 2018
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Chandra & Westbank Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8%
Residual Sugar: 2.89 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 342
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Spicy, meaty nose of black fruits with oak spice and notes of violets.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, red plum and cranberries with earthy, powdery tannins carried on fresh acidity.
Quality: Very Good+. Can be enjoyed now but will reward holding until 2022.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Beef bulgogi spring rolls, black pepper prawn chow mein, beetroot risotto, roasted chicken and cranberry flatbread, and gratin with golden squash, pepper, and tomato.
PINOT GRIS, 2019
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Westbank Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 7.37 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 146
Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Minerally, lightly floral, peach pit nose.
Palate: Light to medium-bodied, crisply dry, white peach flavour with lemony acidity. Sustains well on the palate.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now through 2021.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Fried flounder sandwich with creamy coleslaw, mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, grilled chicken and grapefruit salad, cornbread muffins, and baked jicama fries with sauerkraut.
HARMONY RED, 2018
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot (35%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Zweigelt (20%), Syrah (15%), Pinot Noir (5%)
Vineyard: Merlot, Zweigelt, Syrah, Pinot Noir – Westbank Vineyard; Cabernet Sauvignon – Paulson Vineyard, Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: 4.40 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 660
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Spicy, lightly floral plum and cherry bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured with ripe tannins and flavours of sour cherry and plum.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Hold until 2022.
Critic Rating: 89 – 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Crispy duck with fire-roasted plum sauce, lamb burgers with tzatziki, grilled eggplant with freekeh and yogurt dressing, chipotle chicken burrito bowl, and beef teriyaki crisps with wasabi mayo.
DOSTANA SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2017
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Chandra Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.57 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 114
Appearance: Clear. Bright. Pale straw core.
Nose: Tropical fruit, peach, green apple, and green herbs. Hint of minerality.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Green apple, lime, stone fruit, white flowers. Baked bread note on the finish. Well balanced.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. 89 – 90 points.
Food Pairing: Greek pasta salad with orzo, lobster grilled cheese, pork chops with herbed goat cheese butter, poached bass with endives, and bruschetta with capers and olives.
DOSTANA MERLOT, 2017
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Hwy 97 Vineyard, Oliver
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 3.18 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 211
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark garnet core.
Nose: Dark cherry, violet, raspberry, red licorice, mint, and vanilla.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dark cherry, mint, plum, black currant, leather, smoke, black pepper, vanilla, and a hint of orange zest.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points. Drink now or hold for 1 – 2 years.
Food Pairing: Grilled cauliflower steaks with tahini, beef and roasted red pepper ragout, veal sausages with caramelized onions, braised pork with white radish and carrots, and chicken with garlic and parmesan rice.
ZWEIGELT, 2018
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Zweigelt
Vineyard: Westbank Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.4%
Residual Sugar: 1.87 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 158
Appearance: Bright, semi-opaque. Pale ruby core.
Nose: Black cherry, cassis, licorice, violet, menthol. Hint of smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Earth, dark cherry, black currant, plum, and mint. Dusty tannins.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points.
Food Pairing: Crispy duck tacos with Asian pear slaw, falafel on a pita, porcini and rosemary-crusted beef tenderloin, swordfish with tomatoes and capers, and walnut and lentil bolognese.
DOSTANA MALBEC, 2014
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Malbec
Vineyard: Mariposa Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.7%
Residual Sugar: 3.18 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 158
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark garnet core.
Nose: Violet, black cherry, blackberry, licorice, mint, and black tea.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Plum, black cherry, black currant, black tea. Hints of vanilla, pepper spice, and a green vegetal note. Well balanced.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points.
Food Pairing: Reuben sandwich, green curry buddha bowl with tofu, smoked ancho chili-salted steaks, pulled pork with ginger sauce, and fried chicken with black pepper gravy.