A blend of art and science – both beer and wine making can be described this way. In this latest instalment, Kyle Nixon from BNA Brewing finds out a little more about what that all means to Grant Biggs, Wine Maker and Grower at Kitsch Wines.
“Wine is grown in the vineyard,” said Biggs, “if you grow good grapes, it’s easy to make good wine."
He gives us a rundown of all the grapes grown at Kitsch’s 13-acre property in East Kelowna. All four varietals – Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir – can be found in Block Party, Biggs’ celebration of the land, or terroir, on which he toils.
“I wanted to showcase the entire parcel of land, and what that tastes like in one wine as a cohesive blend,” said Biggs.
If you can’t make it up to the winery to taste it on site, Block Party will be poured at Nixon’s newest restaurant, Skinny Duke’s Glorious Emporium, opening very soon in Downtown Kelowna.
Nixon describes how he felt when first introduced to the blend: ‘Okay, this one is cool.’
In terms of Biggs’ general approach to winemaking?
“I trust my pallet, I trust my nose,” Biggs said confidently.
He and Nixon agree that there’s a certain beauty in the restraint it takes to let nature take its course and practice minimal intervention. They also share a passion for pairing food and drink.
Lucky for us, neither of them plan to leave Kelowna any time soon, so we enjoy the fruits (quite literally) of their labour!
