Northern Lights Winery

2 Reviews on “Northern Lights Winery”

• ABDriver

  Well it sure was nice to see someone trying to improve Prince George by adding a winery. Unfortunately the selection is limited to a narrow selection of fruit wines. Hopefully this will be expanded upon in the future.

  January 16, 2016, 9:30 am

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• Prince Gastronome

  Traveling to the Northern Lights Estate Winery must involve crossing some kind of Stargate. Im not referencing the movie but rather the mediocre television show where every alien planet somehow resembled a location in Western Canada, in this case, the Okanaganthe Mecca of Canadian wine. I had crossed the Cameron Street Bridge, which to my disbelief is no longer a wood and steel truss bridge (dont joke, half the people I asked didnt know), onto one of the only roundabouts in the entire city. With few signs of industry and blossoming flora fringing the pavement as you reach the winery, and with construction reminiscent of Quails Gate in Kelowna, the illusion is further reinforced that somehow Ive shifted locations like Anakin Skywalker in Jumper (wait, is that right?). Of course, one could accuse the previous comparison as ignorantI mean the cutbanks are iconic to the city and the Nechako river rushes by fifty feet from the road. This is Prince George, and the Northern Lights Estate Winery fits right in. It does because we say so, and thats just how it is. Occasionally I have doubts about the winerys potential success, then I discover the crowds gathering each time I visit. This city loves this place, and I hope the affair lasts longer than a Britney Spears wedding. From the cellar door entrance to the themed paintings looming above you, every facet of Northern Lights was designed with intent. I bet five people talked around a table with a bottle of apricot wine discussing the details of the bathroom doors. The building stands out, and not just because it literally stands out. It pays tribute to some of the best wineries in Canada, like the inclusion of an amphitheater inspired by Mission Hill. I can relate to the owners of Northern Lightstheyre dreamers, and they dreamed big. Im honestly surprised they didnt put up a rocket launch pad somewhere. I mean its a winery in Prince George that tries to measure itself against the benchmarks of the province. Ive toured wineries across BC; most dont come close to looking this good. With each new bottle, techniques are refined, and their reputation grows. I stop in every few weeks to discover new labels awaiting taste and eventually purchase. The storefront expands with books and novelties, most of which plaster my kitchen now. Its only a matter of time before Northern Lights boasts its own restaurant. Thats itIm sold. Im all over this place. Put in a shower and Ill move in. The fact Northern Lights is not standing on their already impressive achievements is worthy enough of praise. I could label them magicians for what theyve been able to accomplish with their various fermentations, but having sampled their recent Cassis Noir blend, its more accurate to compare them to the Maiar. I lost you with that one, didnt I? You know, those sent by the Valar to guide the peoples of Middle-earth in their struggle against Sauron. Thats right, dropping some sick pop culture beats there folks! Most fruit wineries settle for simple sweet wines, but Northern Taste attempts to push the envelope by attempting to recreate the texture of classic red wines. Yes, you read correct; I said fruit wine. Its the elephant that must be addressedNorthern Lights is a fruit winery. I know a grape is technically a berry, but there are some important distinctions, including legal, that force the separation between grape wines and the rest. Theres a stigma towards fruit winethere is, we all know it, so lets bring it to the forefront. There are those who refuse to consider fruit wines. Its like that old high school classmate you run into and havent seen in fifteen years and still lives at home with mom who starts up a conversation about a great business opportunityyou search for ways to end the conversation. But the truth is, grape wines are like the Roman Empire, where success came from both strength of numbers and a phenomenal PR campaign. Its an achievement reinforced through generations, not only likened to religion but deeply connected to it. Fruit wine almost sounds like blasphemy. Yet it works. The Mirtillo blueberry wine on its own is a discovery paralleling John Montague, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, refusing to walk away from a card hand and demanded a meal. Theres incredible versatility with fruit wines given different fruits can be harvested at different times. Theres the possibility of grape wines in the future around Prince George. Given the progression of climate change (deniers unwelcome), there could be the possibility of sustainable grapes. And when the markets expands, Northern Lights will have two feet already planted. Until then, the staff at Northern Lights will continue to tweak their fruits in the creation of unique flavors unseen in the culinary landscape. The more I think about it, the more I believe a traditional grape winery wouldve been a little boring. Once the restaurant opens up (heres hoping) I can see Northern Lights becoming my weekly lunch spot. To those critics STILL insisting that the culinary landscape in Prince George is depressing, get ready to have your face pressed fully into the foundations of Northern Lights. And in case youre wondering, Ill be holding you down.

  January 8, 2016, 10:27 am

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