Chateau Helena is a luxury brand. The wine is produced, distributed, and sold by
One Faith Vineyards & Winery Ltd., a licensed BC winery,
located at 116 – 100 Enterprise Way, District Wine Village, Oliver, BC.
VISION
To create a wine that bridges the gap between culture and distance to celebrate my love for being part of two great nations, Canada and China. Share with me the peace, beauty, and tranquility of the Chateau grounds, and experience the flavors and aromas of our fine wines.
HELENA LIU - BRAND PROPRIETOR
Our vineyards are situated on the Black Sage bench in the southern Okanagan. We have carefully selected home-rows of grape Vine in our vineyard which allow for the development of complex aromatics and flavors in our wine. The unique terroir brings a different dimension to Chateau Helena.
The southern Okanagan has the warmest climate of anywhere in Canada, perfect for ripening our Bordeaux varieties. At our vineyards on the Black Sage Bench we have recorded less than 6 inches average rainfall per year. Daytime temperatures during the growing season average over 30 degrees Celsius and in the summer there are over 17 hours of daylight, promoting a high level of photosynthetic activity.
The soil types and structures on our vineyard site are lime stone and small rock. Volcanic activity and glacial movement has created a complex soil structure over a millennium.
VINIFICATION
At winery, we sorted the berries by hand and then destemmed each bunch. We then created many different fermentations in order to micro-vinify each lot according to the variety, the site and the character of those berries. Normally this volume of wine would go into 2-3 different fermentations, losing the individuality of each parcel. We managed each fermentation with total precision, adjusting the maceration regime and temperature of each individual lot.
We practiced the radical method of fermenting red wine in new French oak barrels. We popped the head off each barrel, filled them with uncrushed berries, and then put the head back on. We then rolled each barrel on specially designed racks in order to achieve the maceration we desired. This technique resulted in fine-grained tannins, a rich and concentrated mouthfeel, perfect oak integration and depth of flavor.
To maximize the intensity of aromatics and flavor we drew off 10-15% from each fermentation, thereby reducing the ratio of juice to skins. The resulting Rosé was bottled separately and sold, giving a portion of the profits to Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
We aged our wine for 20 months in a combination of new and 1 year old French oak barriques. Our barrels come from several different coopers.
Our final blend is comprised of just 29% of the wine that we made. We were severely strict in our blending, discarding any lots that were not considered “outstanding” by our winemaking team led by Bill Lui. Several of the most talented winemakers in Okanagan consulted on the final blend.
We did not fine or filter the wine prior to bottling.
GRAND VIN
2013
GRAPE VARIETY
Merlot 77%, Cabernet Sauvignon 14%, Syrah 4%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Petit Verdot 1%, Malbec 1%
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Brix at Harvest: 26.5/L
Alcohol: 15.04%
Residual Sugar: 0.290
TA: 5.480 g/L
pH: 3.90
TASTING NOTES
This wine shows off a beautiful ruby color, dark and gem-like. Cassis drives the nose along with other ripe red fruits. Layers of licorice, leather, tobacco leaf, clove and salted caramel fill out the nose. In addition, there can be found the classic notes of the Black Sage Bench - sage, wet stone, graphite, and iron.
GRAND VIN
2014
GRAPE VARIETY
Sauvignon 50%, Cabernet Franc 45%, Merlot 5%
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Brix at Harvest: 26.5/L
Alcohol: 14.8%
Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/L
pH: 3.91
TASTING NOTES
2014 Chateau Helena, Grand Vin was hand crafted and fermented in 100% new French oak barrels to capture the essence and power of its tannins. This predominate Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend boost aromas of black cherries, violets, salty liquorice, smoky tobacco and stony graphite. The palate in its youth has powerful tannins which directed this wine. With age or decentering these will intergrade and reveal its complexity and balance of fruit, tannin and oak.
GRAND VIN
2015
GRAPE VARIETY
58% Merlot, 25% cabernet Sauvignon
17% Cabernet Franc
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Brix at Harvest: 26.6/L
Alcohol: 14.7%
Residual Sugar: 2.0 g/L
pH: 3.90
TASTING NOTES
2015 Chateau Helena, Grand Vin was hand crafted and fermented in new French oak barrels. Very dark color, with purple glints, indicating the wine is still young. Delightful perfumed dark cherries with fruity tea characters; mouthcoating tannins with lovely depth and length. 2015 Grand Vin currently revealing very little of its potential; to experience it in full glory will require waiting for years.
2014 Vintage
An early spring, similar to 2013, with bud break and all phonologic events happening in perfect harmony, warmer than average temperatures without severe heat spikes and very hot days. However, August and early September brought in somewhat unusual weather with a few rainstorms and cooler temperatures. October came with much higher than usual temperatures, giving our grapes their final perfect ripening and extra hang time.
Tasting NoteS
Our 2014 Chateau Helena Gracious exudes aromas of freshly picked blueberries, blackcurrants, plum and mocha coffee. The blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a hint of Cabernet Sauvignon intertwine, resulting in a complex wine with an earthy opulence and a long smooth silky finish.
Grape Variety
Merlot 50%, Cabernet Franc 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%
2015 Vintage
The spring of 2015 saw warmer than normal temperatures. In May, the total monthly Growing Degree Days (GDD) were highest ever recorded in South Okanagan. The warm temperatures, combined with low precipitation, were the catalysts for early bud break with all flowering finished by early June. The Overall summer weather was hot and dry. June and July, which often sees moderate temperatures and precipitation, felt like August already. In August, Oliver’s wineries faced forest fires thread from mother nature, the bigger challenge was the thick smoke that filled the valley but there was a hidden benefit in the smoke which slowed the ripening allowed the grapes to develop its complexity. In September, the warm temperatures continued with little rain which mean the disease pressure was very low, resulting in cleaner fruit which requires less sorting. We harvested our white grapes on September 25 and all our red grapes on Oct 27. The 2015 vintage quality was excellent overall!
Tasting notes
The Gracious opens with a deep garnet-red color and wonderful spicy notes of cinnamon stick and cloves with a core of cherry preserves, warm plums plus hinds of camphor, lavender and cigar box. Medium-full bodied, rich and bold in the mouth, it fills the palate with beautiful ripe, grainy tannins and freshness, finishing with great persistence. Although it is already approachable, allow it another 3-5 years for its to fully blossom and drink over the next 10+ years.
Grape Variety
55% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon.
2016 Vintage
With an early summer comes with an early bud break. Hot temperatures through out April, May and most of June had grapes rushing towards ripeness. Mother Nature then stepped in and July ended up being the third coolest on the record since 1998. July’s cooler weather and rainfall put a break in the ripening, helping the grapes develop its flavours and complexities. August saw temperatures back to normal levels and ripening back to steadier pace. Temperatures cooled down again early September with some rainfall and later temperatures reaching mid-to-high-20s, allowing the grapes that final ripening process. Nevertheless, this another good year on record.
Tasting Notes
The fruit that made up our 2016 Chateau Helena, Gracious comes from our own vineyard in the infamous Black sage Bench in the Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada. Matured in new French oak for 16 months, this wine exudes aromas of prune plums, black cherries, tobacco, licorice, and toasty oak. Drink now with an hour in decanter or cellar for up to 7 to 10 years.
Grape Variety
45% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec