Echo Bay, a serene lakefront property acquired in 1967, has evolved from a family hobby farm into a family-owned winery led by the Rufiange family. Located on an idyllic eighteen-acre plot along Skaha Lake, it is the region's only lakeside winery, benefiting from a unique microclimate shaped by surrounding rock formations.
In 2013, with no prior wine industry experience, the Rufiange family sought expertise from Richard Cleave, a BC wine industry pioneer, and with a thorough analysis of the land and under Dick’s guidance, they decided to plant Bordeaux red varieties. Echo Bay's south-west-facing slopes with silty loam and glacial gravel deposits ensure ideal sun exposure for these later-ripening varieties.
At Echo Bay, land stewardship is paramount. The Rufiange family is deeply connected to their vineyard, practising hands-on, holistic farming to prioritise biodiversity and self-sustainability. They refrain from synthetic inputs, focusing on soil health using cover crops, plant ferments, compost, and innovative techniques such as biochar – all produced on-site.
The Synoptic is a flagship blend that reveals components that best represent the season in the vineyard. A blend of Cabernet Franc (44%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9%), Carménère (6%) and Petit Verdot (6%), 2020 Synoptic was fermented with wild yeasts and aged for 17 months in French oak (22% new). Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note
This red blend opens with an array of bright red fruits, including cherry, redcurrant, raspberry, and wild strawberry, intertwined with fresh herbs and subtle mineral notes reminiscent of graphite and gravel. Fresh and pure, the palate exhibits lovely vibrancy wrapped in fine-grained tannins while still showing excellent fruit concentration.
Food Pairing
Veal Ragu with Campanelle