Robin Ridge is a new winery just opening in the Similkameen Valley, on Middle Bench Road, not far from Keremeos and the Grist Mill. Tim and Caroline Cottrill started planting a former hayfield in 1998. After a few years of selling grapes to other wineries, they have now released three wines from their debut 2006 vintage – a Pinot Noir, a Chardonnay and a Gamay Noir.

All are solid but the star of the show, in my judgment, is the fat and full-bodied Gamay Noir with a quality approaching a good Beaujolais Cru. This generous wine has aromas and flavours of plums and cherries, backed up with notes of mocha and a touch of oak. 89