En Famille Reserve Chardonnay

Gismondi on Wine, Nov/2025

2023 -

"The 2023 En Famille Chardonnay is one of the richer BC chardonnays, opening with lemon curd, exotic peach, and mango. The texture is creamy, with a tinge of crème brûlée and oatmeal, and hosts more citrus and mineral to help temper the weight and rich layers. The fruit is a mix of some special sites: Con Vida Vineyard, Skaha Bluff, Secrest Mountain Vineyard, and Smethurst Vineyard." - Anthony Gismondi

Decanter World Wine Awards 2026

2023 -

SILVER "Toasty aromas, with notes of cream, canned peach, nectarine, lemon peel, custard and vanilla. Rich and round palate, harmonious acidity."

Pacific Rim Wine Competition 2026

2023 -

DOUBLE GOLD / BEST IN CLASS

Chardonnay du Monde Wine Competition, 2025

2022 -

Wine Align National Wine Awards of Canada 2025

2022 -

Pacific Rim Wine Competition

2022 -

International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2025

2022 -

"Aromas of fresh pear and cream lead into a rounded palate of ripe orchard fruits and subtle butterscotch, finishing with gentle oak sweetness."

Decanter World Wine Awards 2025

2022 -

“Hints of white peach, blossom and bright lemon. Zestiness carries through to the vibrant palate, pleasant pithy length.”

WineAlign, Apr/2026

2022 -

"This is an alluring chardonnay, with opulent flavours of ripe apricots, lightly poaches nectarines, peach blossoms, vanilla, caramelized lemons, and cedar. Dense with flavour, the palate feels delightfully fleshy, while firm acidity supports this abundance. The finish is long and concentrated, full of flavour and ending with a gently, finely granular texture." - Megha Jandhyala S.J.D.

WineAlign, Apr/2026

2022 -

"There's a lot of pleasure to this Chardonnay. Bold with pear and peach fruit showing nice density. It has lovely texture with some meal and spice character, as well as toasty richness. This delivers plenty of flavour, but it is layered." - Jamie Goode

WineAlign, Apr/2026

2022 -

"Broad, dense and intense, Joie's 2022 chardonnay "En Famille" is a terrific wine from a fine vintage, creamy and succulent, with really well-dialled oak influence. Acids are equally seamless, and the yellow-fleshed orchard fruit flavours meld beautifully together. Generously proportioned and properly succulent on the palate, with excellent length. Lovely wine, best from now-2032 or so..." - John Szabo MS

WineAlign, Apr/2026

2022 -

"First tasted nine months prior and no shock to find En Famille still shining, singing and delivering the familial goods. Longevity predicted is durability expressed in chardonnay loamy of texture and naturally sweet of flavour." - Michael Godel

WineAlign, Apr/2026

2022 -

"This is a big, rich, warm and almost tropical chardonnay from a ripe BC vintage. It pours maturing yellow-gold. The nose is very peach/apricot and honey, with vanillin, nutmeg and cedary wood notes. It is full bodied, rounded and just a touch sweet but balanced by the warming 14.5% alcohol and firm acidity, that is actually key to making this wine work. The length is excellent. If you have been missing California chardonnay say hello." - David Lawrason

Gismondi on Wine, Sept/2025

2022 -

"The fruit was sourced from Con Vida Vineyard, Skaha Bluff, and Secrest Mountain Vineyard in Oliver. The majority of grapes were destemmed and crushed, while a portion remained as whole clusters to enhance structural integrity and aromatic complexity. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for nine months, 10% in new, medium toast Mercury barrels, with the balance in second fill and neutral oak. This process delivers a wine with fresh aromatics, nuanced creamy textures, and an appealing palate marked by subtle complexity. Notes of pear and peach are prominent, leading into a spicy mid-palate and a finish characterized by fresh mineral undertones and light toast."

Pacific Rim Wine Competition 2025

2022 -

DOUBLE GOLD

Gismondi on Wine, Jun/2019

2017 -

"The En Famille Reserve is made up of Joie’s best blocks of chardonnay coming off the Skaha Bench (Con Vida Vineyard) and the Naramata Bench (Plein de Vie Vineyard)... It’s all barrel-fermented using native yeast, and the entire lot goes through malolactic fermentation. It’s aged in a blend of premium French oak barriques and puncheons with only a moderate amount of new oak used, extended lees contact and monthly stirring. Expect a high degree of pear and apple dusted in hazelnuts with a salty, fresh, long palate. Impressive and will get better in the bottle. Be patient." - Anthony Gismondi

Gismondi on Wine, Jun/2019

2017 -

"...This was partially native fermented in Bourgogne barrels and puncheons, 30 percent new, which is certainly felt. This remained in wood for ten months with regular battonage, and then a further nine months in bottle prior to release. Vanilla permeates the whole, the floral blossoms reflecting the fact this is chardonnay musqué. Lemon curd, green apple, lime pith, roasted hazelnuts..." - Treve Ring

John Schreiner, Aug/2018

2016 -

"This wine is made entirely with Chardonnay Musqué, a spicy clone. The wine presents in the glass with a light gold hue. The barrel-fermented wine was aged 10 months in oak, with regular lees stirring. The texture fills the mouth. It has aromas of melon, peach, with an herbal note that Heidi – who is a chef – calls drawn butter. The flavours are complex – baked apple, buttery but also briny."

Gismondi on Wine, Oct/2018

2016 -

"Full and dense with wood spice, ripe orchard fruit and buttery notes, this is a premium vineyard selection from Skaha Bluff's Con Vida Vineyard, as well as the Plein de Vie vineyard on the Naramata Bench... Pear, yellow apple, hazelnuts is seasoned with salt and ample spice from the wood, and fills an expansive palate, one that licks of lemon. As I've said before, this hints of Cali, and this vintage reminds me of Chile, but now feels distinctly Joie." - Treve Ring