Black Market Estate Series Merlot 2020

A bold red wine with depth, concentration, length and complexity. A nose of cassis with earthy undertones of forest floor and tobacco leaf. The entry is firm with lively tannins and acidity that persists. Flavours of cassis, plum, blackberry and black cherry, while the mid-palate offers mocha, cedar, and a hint of vanilla. On the finish you’ll find subtle notes of cinnamon, cloves and cracked black pepper.

In its youth, this is most definitely a food wine. Suggestions include smoked brisket, braised ribs, and grilled ribeye steaks.

Enjoy through 2035

BC VQA Okanagan Valley

The Merlot vines at our Conviction Ridge vineyard in Kaleden were planted in 1985 and produce naturally low yields at less than 3 tons per acre. The resulting wines are powerful, concentrated and ideally suited for long-term cellaring. 

The 2020 vintage was aged for 32 months in 30% new French oak barrels.  Bottled unfined and lightly filtered.

Inspired artisan wines, hand-crafted in the Heart of Wine Country.

Situated on a bench overlooking Skaha Lake in picturesque Kaleden, BC, Garagistes Rob Hammersley and Michelle Shewchuk are crafting distinctive small-lot wines. In addition to Conviction Ridge Vineyard, their organically farmed estate property, the other vineyards from which they source their grapes are responsibly and sustainably farmed by growers who care as much about quality as they do.

Fueled by passion | Driven by perfection | Unconstrained by Tradition.

For many years while still living in Calgary, Rob and Michelle would travel to the Okanagan in search of the small boutique wines that weren’t available in the Alberta market. Inevitably, they would fill their car with cases and cases of amazing wines…and “smuggle” them back across the border to share with family and friends ("smuggled' since Canada's archaic alcohol laws make it technically illegal to carry wine across provincial boundaries!). They became known as the Wine Black Marketeers, so when they set up their own winery, choosing the name was easy!

Today they are crafting beautiful small batch wines that reflect some of the best varieties of the Okanagan as well as some suprising rarer grapes that make for a distinctive portfolio!

Rob Hammersley – Owner | Winemaker

• The Day Job:  I’m a winegrower, tending to our small vineyard in the picturesque town of Kaleden in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and hand-crafting distinctive small-batch wines.
• The “Old” Job: A former senior corporate finance and strategy professional in the power and utilities industry. 
• The Facts: Viticulture and Enology Certificates from Washington State University. WSET Level 3 certified. Cycling and hockey enthusiast. Hockey and ringette coach.
   

Michelle Shewchuk – Owner

• The Day Job: Flies the friendly skies as a flight attendant with an international airline.
• The “Side” Job: Co-conspirator of Black Market Wine Co. Voice of reason, sounding board and fresh palate.
• The Facts: WSET Level 2 certified. Mother of 3 (4, if you include Rob). I run…a lot.