Clos du Soleil Winery and their Wines

Clos du Soleil is an artisan winery in BC. Located on the outskirts of Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, it is rightfully considered one of the not-so-hidden gems on British Columbia’s wine trail. Founded in 2006 by a group of friends, the Clos du Soleil winemaking team draws inspiration from Bordeaux to create their wines. The winery specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. While Bordeaux is the inspiration, the winemaking team also explores unique expressions that add a distinct Similkameen character to their wines.

On our recent trip to the winery, we learned that Clos du Soleil team takes pride in being organic farmers who value natural winemaking. They go to great lengths to minimize interference and preserve the integrity of their wines.

The winemaking team stays away from additives and manipulations, instead opting for wild fermentation. By harnessing the natural yeast present in their vineyards, they capture the genuine essence of Similkameen terroir. The result? Wines that are refreshingly crisp, impeccably clean, and brimming with vibrant fruit flavours, all while maintaining an irresistible dryness.

On that note, let’s dive right in and review the wines we tasted at the winery. Learn more about the winery and what to expect if you plan to visit them here.

Clos du Soleil Winemaker’s Pinot Gris wine tasting notes

Pinot Gris wines capture the essence of their growing location, and when produced in Similkameen, they possess a distinct flavour. This is attributed to the rich mineral content present in the soil, which the Clos du Soleil’s winemaker skillfully accentuates in his interpretation of Pinot Gris. Furthermore, the valley’s temperature fluctuations contribute to the wine’s acidity, adding to the wine’s acid structure.

This particular Pinot Gris stands out as more exciting compared to the heavily oaked Pinot Gris we tried in the past. Wild fermented in oak, this wine was aged in stainless steel and oak. Its lighter body can be attributed to its aging process, which deviates from the conventional use of oak.

Here are food pairings that should work well with Pinot Gris:

• The wine’s refreshing acidity and mineral notes make it an excellent choice for cutting through the richness of dishes like our Dutch kibbeling or our interpretation of British Fish and Chips.
• It will pair exceptionally well with our Ricotta ravioli with leek soubise sauce.

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Clos du Soleil Fumé Blanc wine tasting notes

This wine was inspired both by the American Fumé Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc from the Pouilly-Fumé appellation in France. It is, however, made in the Pouilly-Fume style according to the wine tasting room manager.

The wine undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with a subtle influence of oak from the oak puncheons used in the wild fermentation of Sauvignon Blanc. The oak is employed for enhancing the wine’s texture rather than adding flavor.

Fumé Blanc is Clos du Soleil’s top selling and it’s not difficult to understand why. This wine can effortlessly sway even the most devoted fans of sweet wines into believing it has a touch of sweetness. However, the truth is this Fumé Blanc is actually bone dry. It strikes a delightful balance by presenting a perceived sweetness in the middle, making it remarkably approachable for all palates.

Fumé Blanc food pairing suggestion:

• Try this wine with our recipe of Asparagus and sauce Gribiche.

Clos du Soleil Rosé wine tasting notes

This wine follows the dry style commonly found among Provence Rosés, but that’s where the similarities end. What sets it apart from other BC made Rosé wines is that it’s made entirely from Malbec grapes. There’s only a handful of BC producers who make their Rosés entirely of Malbec.

The skin contact is only 4 hours, enough to bring out the best qualities of Malbec. Because this wine is made of Malbec, it has a different structure. It has both tannins and acidity going for it.

The wine’s taste changes depending on the temperature:

• When it’s cold, it’s crisp and clean like a typical rosé.
• When it warms up, it becomes more herbaceous and berry-like, similar to Malbec.

Clos du Soleil 2021 Célestiale wine tasting notes

Célestiale is one of their junior Bordeaux blends. Aged in French oak, but only a small portion new oak, it is an easy going approachable everyday wine.

Clos du Soleil 2020 Signature wine tasting notes

Aged in French oak barrels for 16 months, Signature is Clos du Soleil’s flagship red wine. Like Célestiale, it is also a Bordeaux blend.

This wine has a larger taste profile than Célestiale and features strong tannins.

While not as intense as those found in Bordeaux wines, it doesn’t require a lengthy aging period of 15 years to become enjoyable.

Clos du Soleil 2020 Signature food pairing suggestions:

• Consider a recipe of Balsamic vinegar marinated BBQ flank, served alongside grilled vegetables and savory tomato jam.
• Or, try our recipe of beef tenderloin in red wine sauce served alongside marinated mushrooms, pea puree and pan fried mini potatoes.

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Conclusion

When visiting a winery like Clos du Soleil, wine tasting becomes an opportunity to explore the soul of the place. The act of tasting wine goes beyond simply appreciating its flavours and aromas. It allows you to connect with the winery’s terroir, craftsmanship, and philosophy. In the case of Clos du Soleil, the wines produced reflect the unique characteristics of the Similkameen Valley terroir.
By the assertion of the Clos du Soleil’s wine tasting room manager, they make some of the best wines in Canada at this winery. While we can appreciate the skillful winemaking and the distinct character of their wines, we must admit that labelling them as the best in Canada might be stretching it a bit. But hey, we’re not here to rain on their parade.

Clos du Soleil does offer some seriously good wine at a great value. On that note, we toast their passion, dedication, and knack for producing wines that make us go: Mmm, that’s good wine!