2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada

2022 WingAlign National Wine Awards of Canada results are in! A big congrats to our team for bringing home 7 Silver medals and 3 Bronze medals. Thank you WineAlign team and judges!

Whistler 2020 Viognier Icewine — Silver 
Produced from 100% Naramata fruit, this Viognier was harvested in February of 2021. The fruit, after pressing, showed intense flavors due to dehydration from hanging in the elements for so long. There was no water left in the berries to freeze. Therefore, every golden drop that was pressed out was precious. Floral, perfume, caramel and baking spice notes make this wine a crowd pleaser.

Bench 1775 2021 Viognier — Silver

The 2021 Viognier was produced from 100% Naramata fruit. Our estate Viognier harvested from right in front of our wineshop/patio and our Uplands vineyard on Upper bench road. The wine can be described as fresh and crisp with concentrated stone fruit characters, light floral notes with hints of honey and spice.

Paradise Ranch 2020 Chardonnay Icewine — Silver

Harvested from our Partridge Vineyard in Naramata, the fruit was picked in the middle of the night in -15 degree temperatures. The Chardonnay left out in these cold conditions was in surprisingly good shape for being left to hang for so long. The wine produced displays tropical notes as well as mango, peaches, apricots, and honey.

Bench 1775 2020 Gewürztraminer — Silver

This wine has classic Gewürztraminer aromas of lychee, rose water, citrus, guava and cantaloupe. Medium weight, with notes of melon, citrus, lychee and a spice filled finish. Pair this wine with Laksa, Massaman curry, Chickpea curry, foie gras or duck liver patte, roast duck and squash/pumpkin soups.

Bench 1775 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot — Silver

Carefully grown fruit from our East-facing Osoyoos vineyards yields this luxurious expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Barrel aged for 24 months in French Oak, this wine is ready to drink now or cellar to 2028.

Whistler 2020 Riesling Icewine — Silver

In the summer, our grapes are ripened to perfection in the hot sun. The grapes remain on the vine long after the traditional harvest and are hand-picked as the Canadian winter settles over the Okanagan Valley.

Bench 1775 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon — Silver

One of the most demanding varieties to grow in the Okanagan, Cabernet Sauvignon requires a long warm growing season to fully ripen. The fruit is grown on the Osoyoos east-facing vineyard and gives this varietal maximum heat. The resulting ripeness gives this wine rich dark fruit flavors and firm smooth tannins. Enjoy with any BBQ or roast beast and winter root vegetables. To drink now or cellar for 8 years.

Bench 1775 2018 Syrah — Bronze

Our Syrah is grown in one of our celebrated Osoyoos vineyards. Refined and balanced flavours with notes of white pepper and ripe fruits, this wine is great alone or paired with roast meats, especially lamb.

Bench 1775 2020 Sauvignon Blanc — Bronze

One of our most popular wines at Bench 1775 is our Estate grown Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit for the 2020 edition was left to hang until mid-October. After catching a few extra rays of fall sunshine, the fruit was picked over two days, whole cluster pressed, then fermented in 100% stainless steel. The wine displays classic Sauvignon Blanc characters of grass, asparagus, passion fruit and grapefruit. Pair this wine with crab cakes, oysters, fried chicken, fresh crab and zucchini sticks.

Bench 1775 2018 Cabernet Franc — Bronze

Harvested from our premium vineyard plantings of clone 214 Cabernet Franc in Osoyoos, this wine was fermented in small lots and aged in 100% French oak for 2 years with further cellaring in bottle. Elegant with supple tannins and floral aromas this wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for a further 10 years.

Inventory is limited on some of these rare and beautiful wines so don’t delay your order. Shipping is included on orders of 12 or more bottles in BC and Alberta.