Quails’ Gate Winery has partnered with Irish Distillers, makers of Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in Ireland, to introduce Green Spot Quails’ Gate, a new addition to the Irish Distillers Wine Geese Series.
Joining a prestigious line-up of expressions including Green Spot Château Leoville Barton and Green Spot Chateau Montelena, the series is a celebration of Ireland’s historic contribution to the wine world and is a tribute to the group of Irish families known as ‘The Wine Geese’ who left Ireland and set up wineries around the world. Finished in Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir barrels, Green Spot Quails’ Gate represents the coming together of two heritage Irish families and the dedication to their craft that inspired this special-edition whiskey.
“As a family-owned business with Irish roots, this is an exciting collaboration that celebrates the legacy of both whiskey and wine-making traditions. It honours the pioneering spirit of our family and their unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional wines that embody the essence of the Okanagan Valley,” says Tony Stewart, CEO, Quails’ Gate Winery.
The Irish roots run deep in the Stewart family, with Richard Stewart Sr. immigrating to Canada from Ireland in 1908 and eventually establishing one of the valley’s most successful nurseries. His farming legacy lives on in Quails’ Gate Winery which was founded in 1989. Now four generations, three working in wine, the Stewart family has made a name for themselves in wine and now, come full circle, celebrating their roots with this limited-edition collaboration with an Irish heritage brand.
With more than 30 years of grape-growing knowledge, the family continues to produce award-winning wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Okanagan Valley, including the Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir which adds a distinctive wine twist on the exceptional single-pot still whiskey that makes up Green Spot Quails’ Gate. Finished for 16 months in Pinot Noir barrels, the two heritages pair well, bringing together the residual soft tannins from the Pinot Noir which provide a silky sweet texture to the palate and notes of dried cranberries that work in harmony with Green Spot’s signature tastes of red apple, sweet pear, vanilla and nutmeg.
“This collaboration is an exciting blend of two worlds, uniting the rich history of whiskey making and the innovation of winemaking. Together, we have created a whiskey, that is the culmination of our combined expertise and passion, a true reflection of the creative energy and artistry that comes from two traditions coming together,” Rowan Stewart, Assistant Winemaker, Quails’ Gate Winery, and third-generation Stewart family.
Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey was originally produced exclusively for the Mitchell family, who began trading in 1805 in the heart of Dublin. By 1887 they were experimenting with wine, sherry and port barrels which added an exciting new dimension to this whiskey already renowned for its excellent quality, and helped Mitchell & Son develop a reputation for creating some of the finest single pot still Irish whiskey in Dublin.
“Maturing Green Spot Irish Whiskey in the Pinot Noir barrels from Quails’ Gate adds a fascinating and delectable assortment of rich red berries from the red wine seasoning that perfectly balances Green Spot’s orchard fruits and toasted wood finish for a flavoursome, complex expression. Whether a whiskey enthusiast or a wine connoisseur – or both – we hope this addition to the Spot family will be cherished by those in Ireland, Canada and everywhere in between,” says Deirdre O’Carroll, Blender, Irish Distillers.
A delight for wine and whiskey lovers alike, Green Spot Quails’ Gate is available now at Old Vines Restaurant, the Whiskey Room at the El Dorado Resort and select BC Liquor Stores. Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir is available as always on-site at the Quails’ Gate Wine Shop or online at quailsgate.com.
About Irish Distillers:
Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the success of Irish whiskey globally. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, selling 10.4 million cases in FY22. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets around the world, with many of those experiencing double-or triple-digit growth.
Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son, and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.
We employ over 800 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.
About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales amounting to €10,701 million in fiscal year FY22. The Group, which owns 17 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricard’s portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur or Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes. The Group’s mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing “Good Times from a Good Place”, in line with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap. Pernod Ricard’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,480 employees to be on-the-ground ambassadors of its purposeful and inclusive culture of conviviality, bringing people together in meaningful, sustainable, and responsible ways to create value over the long term. Executing its strategic plan, Transform & Accelerate, Pernod Ricard now relies on its “Conviviality Platform”, a new growth model based on data and artificial intelligence to meet the ever-changing demand of consumers.
Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code:FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices
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