Ex Nihilo Winery, located in Winfield, B.C., has been on my radar for several years. It’s a relatively small vineyard of 10 acres with wines that stand up against any other Okanagan winery that has been in the game for decades.
My favourite wine from them is called Night, a Bordeaux blend of five grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be tasted this time around as they’ve been sold out since April.
However, we did have a thorough run-through of six other wines to highlight in a winery review, which proved the diversity and ambition of this beautiful area of the Okanagan.
The Lineup
Ex Nihilo SX Tous Rosé
Until about a year ago, I hadn’t given much thought to rosé wines. However, since tasting a few exciting ones, it’s been eye-opening how much character and depth they can embody. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the SX Tous was bright, crisp and had just the right amount of bubble. Tous, meaning “all and everything” in French, was an exciting way to start the tasting!
Ex Nihilo Sparkling Tous Rosé / Photo by Nicole MacKay
Ex Nihilo Pinot Gris 2014
Pinot Gris has some tough competition in the Okanagan Valley. It’s difficult not to have some pretty high standards when you’ve tasted up and down the valley more than a couple of times. The 2014 expression had less peach and apricot flavours than I expected and hoped for. Upon first sip, the fruit flavours were nicely balanced with the acidity; however, the finish dropped off a little too quickly for me.
Ex Nihilo Vineyards in Winfield, BC / Photo by Nicole MacKay
Ex Nihilo Riesling 2012
Tasting two different vintages of the exact wine from the same winery is always interesting. The Ex Nihilo 2012 Riesling was your more classic style Riesling, with a freshness on the nose but a slightly more gas/petrol finish on the palate. While not my favourite style, I can see how this would go fantastic with a grilled fish salad in the summer.
Ex Nihilo Riesling 2013
2013 was distinctly different from the previous year. With much lighter and zingier fruit flavours, this is one I could sip on the patio well into the evening.
Ex Nihilo Barrel Storage and Art Gallery / Photo by Nicole MacKay
Ex Nihilo Privata Chardonnay 2013
Ready for some oak specs? 60% of the 2013 Privata spent 8 months aging in majority French oak, which gave it a smooth and creamy flavour. The unoaked portion brought brightness to the table, and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s an excellent pairing to a summer feast of grilled chicken with corn on the cob.
Ex Nihilo Pinot Noir 2013
Their Pinot was a nice treat to end the tasting. In 2015, this wine was among 14 to win a Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in British Columbia Wines. Additionally, it was also the ONLY Pinot Noir to receive the distinction, a true testament to the quality put out by Ex Nihilo. The nose had noticeable green pepper/veg notes, while the palate was instantly pleasing with soft red fruit flavours and strawberry on the finish.
A special thank you to Kathleen in the Ex Nihilo winery tasting room for taking us through the wines. We visited on a busy day, and she gave us her full attention the entire time.