Black Sage Vineyard
Black Sage Vineyard
AboutBlack Sage Vineyard
Harry McWatters and Bob Wareham planted Black Sage Vineyard in 1992 on the dry Black Sage Bench south of Oliver, choosing late-ripening Bordeaux varieties. The fruit was first used within Sumac Ridge before Black Sage became a label in its own right in 2010.
Deep sandy soils, low rainfall and a western exposure define the vineyard’s setting. Winemaker Jason James has worked with its fruit since 2005, focusing on red varieties.
Black Sage Vineyard 2022 Merlot
Canadian Red
Ripe plum and blackberry appear with vanilla, clove and sweet smoke. The palate includes rich fruit, spice and smoky vanilla, with soft tannins and a long finish. Merlot is destemmed and crushed into stainless steel, then ferments for fifteen days with twice-daily pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation follows. Maturation lasts fifteen months in selected French and American oak barrels.