Owned and operated by sommelier/salesman Michael Dinn and somm/chef/winemaker Heidi Noble, JoieFarm has been garnering attention and acclaim since it opened the fall of 2002. Originating as Joie, the French word for “joy,” the married couple’s Naramata winery has been a constantly evolving concept. With the addition of their own estate-grown fruit in 2009, they changed their name to JoieFarm to better reflect their connection to the land.
It’s agreed that Beaujolais is a natural for turkey feasting. JoieFarm’s alluring 100 percent Gamay is a beautiful local alternative to Beaujolais’ fruity, fresh red. This 2012 Gamay gains my appreciation with air in the glass, allowing all the pure cherry fruit and dusty raspberries to really shine. Good structure props up the orchard fruit without distracting from it—lovely summer strawberries, cherries and fine grained tannins finish with a silky raspberry note. Pass the bird…and pass me the bottle. #GoGamayGo.
Track on Twitter: @joiefarm