Navigating the Labyrinth at Garry Oaks Estate Winery
Images by Brette Little
If you’re due for a brush-up on Greek mythology, you’re due for a visit to the Garry Oaks Estate Winery on Salt Spring Island. Founded in 1999 when the original owners converted a 100-year old farm to the beginnings of a winery, Garry Oaks has been undergoing continued transformation since 2016 when Nalini Samuel took the helm.
Nalini branded the Garry Oaks estate blends under a new Labyrinth label, which was inspired by a stone labyrinth that is nestled among the heritage orchard on the property. Winery guests are welcome to walk the little labyrinth - we did during our visit, and after tasting some delightful wines it was a bonus moment of zen!
Q&A with Nalini Samuel
How did you get started in the wine business?
I’ve had a passion for wine since I was 13 years old and went on a trip to France with my French teacher. She introduced us to wine and wine making. I still remember the smell of a wine cellar in Bordeaux- every time I have a glass it transports me back in time. I have since traveled the world tasting amazing wines - even tasted pineapple wine at a winery in Hawaii. I’m a certified sommelier and love everything about the wine making process.
Why did you decide to take over Garry Oaks?
I started looking for a winery 3 years before I found Garry Oaks. I’m a bit of a romantic when it comes to wine. I wanted a small winery that still does everything by hand. At Garry Oaks, we use recycled glass and cork for our bottles. We hand craft, harvest, cork and bottle our wines. Everything is done with meticulous care, consideration and in small batches. This is the reason we win so many awards.
What grapes do you grow, and why did you choose these types?
We grow cool climate grapes, similar to the Burgundy region in France. The vines were planted 21 years ago by the original owners. They had the wisdom and courage to plant European varietals which has produced some of the most graceful wines in the area. We produce two white wines, Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer, and two red wines, Pinot Noir and Zweigelt (an Austrian varietal).
Do you have a wine club?
We are rolling out a wine club for locals in July. You get a wooden case and a 15% discount on wines. The club membership is free if you agree to purchase 3 cases a season. A case is 12 bottles.
How many cases do you produce a year? What are your most popular sellers?
We are a boutique producer - less than 2,000 cases a year. We are also an estate winery, meaning we don’t buy grapes from anywhere else, we produce all our wines from our 10 acres. So when you drink our wine, you are tasting 100% Salt Spring Island in the glass.
“A maze is where you get lost...a labyrinth is where you come to find yourself.”
-Nalini Samuel
Tell us more about the Labyrinth wines.
We have a labyrinth on the property. This was the inspiration for our Labyrinth wines, our new blends we introduced a few years ago. We named our wines after the characters in the Greek Myth of the Minotaur trapped in the Labyrinth. Our labyrinth is made of stone and is open to visitors to walk.
A maze is where you get lost...a labyrinth is where you come to find yourself.
