Nk’Mip Cellars Makes Impressive Showing at Intervin International Wine Awards 2013
(Osoyoos, BC) – With one Gold winner, three Silvers, and nine wines named as Winners in the 2013 InterVin International Wine Awards, Nk’Mip Cellars made such an impressive showing that it’s been named as one of the competition’s Wineries of the Year for 2013.
“We’re thrilled and very proud,” said winemaker Randy Picton. “We know InterVin judges score using extremely high criteria, and this recognition is confirmation that our work in the vineyard and in the winery is helping us achieve our goals.”
The judging panel – a mix of Canadian sommeliers, wine writers and winemakers – selected the Qwam Qwmt Riesling Icewine 2012 for a Gold award. Made with grapes from Nk’Mip’s prized 32-year-old Riesling block, the Icewine is pure and focused, displays harmonious layering of honey, baked apple, sweet citrus and apricot, then progresses into a mouthwatering, powerful finish that is inspired by well-integrated acidity.
The judges gave Silver awards to the Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir 2010, the Winemaker’s Merlot 2010, and the Winemaker’s Riesling 2011. Nine Nk’Mip wines were named as Winners, or “quality wines that stood out from the crowd”, these include Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2011, Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2010, Qwam Qwmt Meritage 2009, Qwam Qwmt Merlot 2009, Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2010, Winemaker’s Pinot Blanc 2012, Winemaker’s Pinot Blanc 2011, and the Winemaker’s Riesling 2012.
The results put Nk’Mip in the Top 10 overall for this year’s competition.
Now in its fifth year, the InterVin International Wine Awards has become the best-known Canadian competition for celebrating great wines from home and abroad. Led by head judge Christopher Waters, co-founder and editor of VINES Magazine, the judges spend long hours tasting and debating the merits of the wines placed in front of them to discover the finest wines available in Canada. A special InterVin Awards issue of VINES Magazine, will spotlight the Top Wineries of the Year and other significant results. The full list of winning wines will be available online at intervin.ca.
For more information, and to join the conversation, find us at nkmipcellars.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Nk’Mip Cellars
Pronounced “in-ka-meep,” North America’s first aboriginal owned and operated winery was established in 2002 and overlooks Osoyoos Lake in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. Originating with the strong, independent and proud Nk’Mip people of the Osoyoos Indian Band, the winery is now owned by the band in partnership with Constellation Brands Canada, and is under the leadership of Chief Clarence Louie.
Winemaker Randy Picton is devoted to a philosophy focused on attention to detail through every part of the winemaking process. He’s also passing on his knowledge to First Nations members of his team, including Assistant Winemaker Justin Hall, a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band, and Aaron Crey who maintains the cellar and is a member of the Cheam Indian Band. Together, they ensure that each bottle of Nk’Mip wine is expressive of the vineyard, the history, and the highest of winemaking standards.
Using grapes from the band’s Inkameep Vineyard, Picton and his winemaking team produces wines in three tiers: Winemaker’s Series, Qwam Qwmt and Mer’r’iym tiers. The award-winning portfolio includes favourites such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Syrah Meritage and Riesling Icewine.
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