Stoneboat, on the Black Sage Gravelbar in Oliver, is now owned by Rudy Verhoeff and Kyla Richey, former professional volleyball athletes. They also own Valley Commons, is a winery established in the District Wine Village in Oliver in 2021. Both wineries fall under the Verhoeff Group of Companies, which is headed by Paul Verhoeff, Rudy's father. The family also owns a flooring company, a brewery and restaurants in the Fraser Valley.
Pinotage, a South African variety (Cinsault crossed with Pinot Noir) has its fans and its critics, but when you talk about this rare variety in British Columbia, Stoneboat is usually the first to spring to mind.
This inky ruby-shaded red was aged 18 months in a mix of partially new French and US oak. It delivers aromas of vanilla and dried herbs, licorice, black cherry, cocoa, coffee, leather, tobacco and violets with undertones of wild red berries. It has juicy red fruit on the palate with good grip and earthy/spicy and coffee/black chocolate flavours to mimic the nose.
Wedding Wines, Eat your Root Veggies, Seafood/Fish, White Meat Chicken/Pork, First Date
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores reviewed - 2025-06-03 10:06:23.0