Stoneboat Vineyards Nebbia 2005

A grape grower and propagator for 25 years, winery founder Lanny Martiniuk often cannot bring himself to get rid of the experimental varieties in his vineyard because he gets attached to them. As he explains in the wine’s notes: “They have supported our vineyard and family throughout the years, and they now produce grapes of higher complexity.”That explains the varieties, some from 20-year-old vines, that went into this white (264 cases produced). Very few other Okanagan growers have retained the final three varieties in this blend, if only because tongue-twister varietals are so read more...hard to sell. The Martiniuk family resolved that issue with a proprietary name. <i>Nebbia</i> is Italian for “mist” – referring to the mists that rise from the Okanagan River as it passes by the Martiniuk vineyard.Made by consulting winemaker Lawrence Herder, this is an exotic blend, with a perfumed aroma recalling apricot and orange peel. The flavours are so well integrated that it is hard to pull them apart, but there are notes of white peach, zest of orange and spice. The finish is quite dry. 86 points.    (hide)

October 2008

A grape grower and propagator for 25 years, winery founder Lanny Martiniuk often cannot bring himself to get rid of the experimental varieties in his vineyard because he gets attached to them. As he explains in the wine’s notes: “They have supported our vineyard and family throughout the years, and they now produce grapes of higher complexity.”That explains the varieties, some from 20-year-old vines, that went into this white (264 cases produced). Very few other Okanagan growers have retained the final three varieties in this blend, if only because tongue-twister varietals are so read more...hard to sell. The Martiniuk family resolved that issue with a proprietary name. <i>Nebbia</i> is Italian for “mist” – referring to the mists that rise from the Okanagan River as it passes by the Martiniuk vineyard. Made by consulting winemaker Lawrence Herder, this is an exotic blend, with a perfumed aroma recalling apricot and orange peel. The flavours are so well integrated that it is hard to pull them apart, but there are notes of white peach, zest of orange and spice. The finish is quite dry. 86 points.    (hide)