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Alderlea Estate Vineyard: For the love of winemaking
By Holly Rose
It's one of the summer's last truly hot days. I drive down the winding back roads of Duncan's heartland, filled with rolling green pastures, fruit trees and open sky. Music spills into my window with the passing of each car. I don't think anyone can bear to have their windows up on a day like today.
It's right about then that I pull up to Alderlea Estate Vineyard. In meeting owners Roger and Nancy Dosman, I find that there is much reason in their rhyme.
Prior to 1911, the town of Duncan was known to its residents as Alderlea. The name honours both the heritage of Duncan and the place where all the grapes are harvested.
I am always intrigued to find where a person's passion rests. Even in winemakers this varies greatly; some folks have a passion for interacting with their clients and talking about their wines, others have a genuine joy for the harvesting and growing of the grapes, while others still love the little intricacies of running a vineyard.
In my conversation with Roger Dosman, it is clear to me that he has great passion for growing grapes and perfecting his wines. He takes significant pride in the varietals he has nurtured over the years and in creating loyal clients through consistent experiences year to year. This also allows the vineyard to only use the grapes they grow, never having to draw from resources off property or off island.
Alderlea focuses on keeping their wines in fine restaurants and in accessible beer and wine stores on Vancouver Island. While heading down to the vineyard is a perfect afternoon, Roger knows that for a dinner party, convenience is king, so they have built up local availability of Alderlea wines.
Notables:
Pinot Noir Reserve 2008 - This well balanced glass of wine pairs perfectly with Vancouver Island fare. Fresh salmon or local beef go perfectly with the warm cherry notes and medium body. The reserve is made from vines that were planted when Alderlea began back in 1992. I think it was Andre Tchelistcheff that declared that "God made Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas the devil made Pinot Noir." Any way you look at it, this pinot is very enticing.
Pinot Gris 2010 - This well rounded (light) rose wine is half aged in french oak barrels and half in stainless steel. The juice has contact with the grape skin for 12-24 hours, allowing for that lovely rose colour to develop. The grapes themselves are a unique, almost a romantic pinky-grey hue. The Pinot Gris itself has a floral aroma and balanced flavours of orange and mango.
Bacchus 2010 - A favourite around my friends' tables, Bacchus scores high points with pre-dinner appetizers, seafood and Asian cuisine. Look for citrus and floral aromas with a touch of grapefruit and peach.
Check out this list to see where you can find Alderlea closest to you. Details on the vineyard and more info on available wines can be found here at www.alderlea.com.
Victoria
- The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants
- Cascadia Fine Wine Ale & Spirits
- Liquor Plus (Mill Stream Village)
- Vintage Spirits in the Hotel Rialto
- Spinnakers Spirit Merchants
- West Side Plus (425 Simcoe St)
- 6 Mile Liquor Store (498 Old Island Highway)
- Everything Wine Victoria
Duncan
- Beverly Corners Liquor Store
- Honey Pot Liquor Store
- Cowichan Valley Inn Liquor Store
- Cobble Stone Liquor Store
- Liquor Plus Duncan & Cobble Hill
North Island
- Lucky's Liquor Store, Nanaimo
- Wellington Beer and Wine Store, Nanaimo
- Westery Hotel Liquor Store, Courtney
- Photos & text by Holly Rose©
