Media Coverage

Awards pay tribute

[August 3, 2007] After spending about the first four years clad in work boots and work clothes, Jim and Leslie D'Andrea of Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery in Okanagan Falls got their just desserts.The D'Andrea's 2005 Chardonnay was selected as one of nine wineries in the Okanagan to receive the 2007 Lieutenant Governor's Awards of Excellence in B.C. Wines.

Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo on hand to present the awards on one of five stops she made Thursday. Leslie referred to their early work and the long hours they put into their vineyard as being more of a farming lifestyle as they worked day and night.

“We put a lot of emphasis on our vineyards,” said Leslie adding they produced their first wines in 2005, and followed up by opening its wine shop in May of 2006 and a picnic licence in 2007. The winery which provides a breathtaking view of Vaseaux Lake, highlighted by on a gentle slope which highlights the east-west ridge that bisects the vineyard.

“It's a lovely place,” said Campagnolo, who noted that the winners were chosen by a panel of judges from a total of 180 wines.
With many of the smaller Okanagan wineries taking home this year's awards it pays tribute to the quality wines that are being produced in the area said Campagnolo. While the lieutenant-governor admitted she enjoys a glass of wine on occasion she's still got a way to go when it comes to developing her wine-tasting senses.

“For me personally, I can think of nothing nicer than reading a book and having a nice glass of wine at the same time,” she said.

By Scott Trudeau