Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Each bottle of Sandhill wine is made from grapes that come from one of six unique BC vineyards - Sandhill Estate, King Family, Phantom Creek , Osprey Ridge, Hidden Terrace, and Vanessa Vineyard. Each and every vineyard possesses its own magical combination of soil type, microclimate, exposure, drainage and other geographical idiosyncrasies. The complex, subtle, unique character of each vineyard reveals itself in your glass.

Sandhill's winemaking techniques are designed to enhance, not interfere with, the naturally occurring fruit flavors in our wines. Two words you will hear frequently from Sandy Leier to describe her winemaking technique are gentle and non-interventionist. Great fruit, helped along only when necessary using a soft touch, will result in great single vineyard wine from BC.

Sandhill Wines | 2020 wines included in monthly subscriptions

October 2020

SMALL LOTS VIOGNIER, 2018
SMALL LOTS SANGIOVESE, 2016
PINOT GRIS, 2018
CABERNET FRANC, 2017
HARVEST SERIES CHARDONNAY, 2017
SYRAH, 2018

SMALL LOTS VIOGNIER, 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Osprey Ridge Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.6%
Residual Sugar: 8.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 520

Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Lightly floral, peach bouquet with a thread of minerality.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, ripe peach and lemon flavours; beautifully balanced and long on the palate.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler

Awards:
Silver - 2019 InterVin International Wine Awards
Bronze - 2019 BC Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards
Bronze - 2019 SIP Northwest, Best of the Northwest


Food Pairing: Grilled peach and chicken salad with raspberry vinaigrette, prawn linguine with saffron cream sauce, roasted carrot and ginger soup, corned beef hash, and honey garlic meatballs.

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SMALL LOTS SANGIOVESE, 2016

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Sangiovese
Vineyard: Sandhill Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.9%
Residual Sugar: 0.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 900

Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, cherry bouquet with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, tobacco, and cherry flavours with an earthy note. Nicely balanced and fresh on the palate. Good length. Great mouth-feel.
Quality: Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will reward cellaring for 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler

Awards:
Double Gold Medal - 2019 SIP Northwest, Best of the Northwest
Gold Medal - 2019 Los Angeles International Wine Competition
Silver - 2019 BC Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards
Silver - 2019 2019 Cascadia Wine Competition
Silver - 2019 InterVin International Wine Awards


Food Pairing: Italian sausage pasta bake with marinara sauce, falafel and beet burger with parmesan truffle fries, beef short ribs with charred leek risotto, sirloin steak with black pepper sauce, and oxtail stew with dumplings.

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PINOT GRIS, 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: King Family & Hidden Terrace vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 9,866

Appearance: Light straw in colour.
Nose: Peach pit nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, green peach flavour with racy acidity and a touch of almond bitterness on the finish for added interest.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 88.5 points - Tony Aspler

Awards:
Silver - 2019 BC Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards
Silver - 2019 National Wine Awards of Canada


Food Pairing: Herb-crusted salmon with Asian vegetables, roasted eggplant pomodoro, baked asparagus with chili aïoli, chicken and pico de gallo pizza, and pork skewers with pineapple and sesame-sprinkled broccoli.

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CABERNET FRANC, 2017

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: BC VQA Similkameen Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Vanessa Vineyard, Similkameen Valley
Alcohol: 14.8%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,022

Appearance: Deep, dense purple colour.
Nose: Warm, cedary, green tobacco nose with oak spice and a lifted floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, savoury, blueberry, green herbs, black olive, and dark chocolate flavours. Firmly structured with evident but ripe tannins.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Open in 2021 – 2022.
Critic Rating: 89-92 points (dependent on cellaring, 89 now; if cellared 90 – 92) - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Crispy duck with hoisin sauce, coffee-infused braised lamb shanks, plum-glazed pork belly, stuffed cabbage rolls with cauliflower rice, and black olive-crusted venison with pearl onions.

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HARVEST SERIES CHARDONNAY, 2017

Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Sandhill Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 150

Appearance: Clear, bright. Light golden core.
Nose: Vanilla, green apple, hint of oak and baking spice, and citrus.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Oak spice, vanilla, pear, green apple, hint of citrus. Well-structured and balanced with a smooth finish.
Quality: 90 points. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.

Food Pairing: Beef carpaccio with arugula and truffle oil, masala butter chicken with cucumber raita and basmati rice, wild salmon with pecan romesco sauce, curry-roasted cauliflower with black lentils, and veal scallops with pear purée.

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SYRAH, 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Syrah
Vineyard: Sandhill Estate, Hidden Terrace & Vanessa vineyards
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 5,220

Appearance: Dark purple-ruby colour.
Nose: Cedary, tobacco, black fruit nose with vanilla oak spice and notes of sweet herbs.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, blackberry flavour carried on fresh acidity. Lovely mouth-feel.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2021.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Jalapeño burgers with bacon and pepper jack cheese, grilled vegetable medley with balsamic vinaigrette, pappardelle veal shoulder ragù, aged prime rib with creamy horseradish, and cherry-smoked strip steak with potato skins.

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CHARDONNAY, 2018

Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Sandhill Estate & Hidden Terrace vineyards
Alcohol: 14.1%
Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 2,459

Appearance: Clear, bright. Light golden-coloured core.
Nose: Green apple, lemon, vanilla, and a hint of peach and baking spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Lemon, pear, baking spice, hint of toast, vanilla, and oak spice.
Quality: 89 points. Very Good+. Enjoy now or hold 1-2 years.

Food Pairing: Mushroom and goat cheese flatbread, sake-steamed mussels with coconut cream sauce, chicken fajitas with red peppers and sweet corn, salmon sandwich with tangy mustard slaw, and pumpkin and sausage penne.

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