The second winery on the Naramata Bench I visited was Howling Bluff Estate Winery.  This is a small family-run winery, starting with the land purchase in 2003, that specializes in Pinot Noir wines, although they also produce other quality wines. I met with co-owner and winemaker, Luke Smith, sitting at the tasting room patio, where we chatted about the latest winter effects in the vineyards, using only estate-grown or local vineyard grapes, their use of solar panels, making a sustainable future, and much more.  They are happy to keep the winery small, family-sized, so that they can enjoy the wine-making process and not worry about expanding and creating huge volumes of wine.  Small-scale, quality wines are their goal. They are dog lovers and reference dogs in one of their sparkling wines.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Howling Bluff Estate Winery Faux Paw 2022 (BC $27) – a frizzante wine made from Pinot Gris grapes. It has a light lemon colour.  Enjoyable, lighter aromas of apples and pears.  It is off-dry, medium-plus body with high acidity. Small, aggressive bubble.  Pears and peaches on the palate. Medium length. –

Howling Bluff Estate Winery Astrum Brut 2019 (BC $40.25) – a sparkling wine made in the Traditional Method with Pinot Noir grapes. A light, clear orange salmon colour.  Nice light fruity red fruit aromas.  Dry, medium-plus body.  Higher acidity and medium intensity, fine-grained tannins.  Tasty tart red fruit along with touches of red cherries and floral.  Medium-sized creamy bubbles.  Medium length with light-drying tannins on the finish.

Howling Bluff Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (BC $25) – A pale lemon colour.  Medium-intensity fresh, bright citrus, lime, and green fruit aromas.  Medium body, slightly off-dry.  Tasty stone fruit flavour with slight pepperiness and tartness on the finish.  Medium acidity.  A tasty wine. 

Howling Bluff Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023 (BC $25) – made with 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon.  It has a medium-minus intensity, bright lemon colour.  Intense aromas of honey and apricot.  Off-dry, medium body with a soft and smooth mouthfeel.  Soft stone fruit and honey on the palate.  Medium acidity.  Some tartness on the finish.  An elegant wine. 

Howling Bluff Estate Winery Cronie Family Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 (BC $39.50) – This wine has a lighter intensity, translucent to the core, clear garnet colour.  Nice toasty red fruit and sweet spices on the nose.  These aromas continue to the palate.  This wine is dry, and lightly round with a lighter body.  Red cherries along with some minerality and light pepperiness on the palate.  Medium-plus length with tart red fruit and a touch of sweet spices on the palate.  A light tannic finish. 

Howling Bluff Estate Winery Three Mile Creek Pinot Noir 2021 (BC $39.50) – A medium-minus intensity clear garnet colour in the glass.  Medium-intensity aromas of raspberries, toast, and sweet spices.  Dry, medium-minus body with a lightly round mouthfeel.  Medium-plus acidity and light tannins.  Tart red fruit and nutmeg on the palate.  Puckering red fruit and red cherries on the finish. 

Howling Bluff Estate Winery Century Block Pinot Noir 2021 (BC $39.50) – The Century Block are the vines beside the winery.  This wine has a light, clear garnet colour.  Light aromas of vanilla, floral and red cherries.  Medium body, lean, with medium acidity and light tannins.  Floral, raspberries, and sweet cherries on the palate plus a touch of sweet spices. Medium-plus length. A subtle wine. –

Howling Bluff Estate Winery Sin Cera 2020 (BC $34.99) – a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot.  It has a medium-intensity clear garnet colour.  Nice aromas of raspberries, nutmeg and a touch of oak. Dry, medium body with a smooth mouthfeel.  Floral, red fruit and some tartness on the palate.  A hint of capsicum.  Medium-plus length with a tart red fruit finish.    –

Where Can I Buy These Wines?

You can purchase these wines online through the Howling Bluff Estate Winery website. 

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