Okanagan ice wine wins gold at international competition

KELOWNA – An Okanagan winery has been recognized internationally, winning gold at the Chardonnay de Monde.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery’s for its 2014 Chardonnay ice wine was at the top of the top 10 list at the 24th annual Chardonnay du Monde in Burgandy, France held March 8 to March 10.

Over 700 wines, from 38 countries were submitted to the competition.

“It feels amazing, it’s a great surprise,” Summerhill Pyramid Winery CEO Ezra Cipes says. “It’s a testament to the Okanagan Valley. It’s a great place to grow wine, we know that, and now the world is starting to.”

Described as “a vibrant icewine with notes of honey, apricot and poached pears,” the 2014 wine sells for $95 per bottle.

“Ice wine is a big thing for us. We in Canada, and the Okanagan especially, can do better than anyone else on the planet, period” says Cipes. “It’s a category we can really own.”

According to Cipes very few regions have the combination of a suitable growing season and a cold enough winter that is needed to make icewine.

Back in 2000, Summerhill’s sparkling wine, Cipes Gabriel, took home the top price in sparkling wines, up against French champagne. That wine is now priced at $350.

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