July 10, 2015 |
C.C. Jentsch Cellars
C.C. Jentsch Cellars adds small lot wines
by John Schreiner
Grape grower Chris Jentsch launched C.C. Jentsch Cellars somewhat precipitously in the 2012 vintage when Andrew Peller Ltd. decided it did not need his 60 acres of grapes any more.
It was not a reflection on the quality of the fruit. Peller’s own substantial plantings had begun to produce more grapes.
Chris had been thinking of a winery but he had not had time to convert his fruit packing house into a production facility. So he arranged to have his 2012 wines made at Okanagan Crush Pad.
The new winery, on the highway midway between Osoyoos and Oliver, was ready for the 2013 vintage and for the new winemaker that Chris hired that summer.