Pacifica & Contract Winemaking
In addition to our South Hill Wines, we produce Pacifica Kosher Wines
Pacifica Kosher Wines
These wines are made exclusively for our kosher distributor Royal Wine Corporation. Royal is the largest distributor of kosher wines in the world.
Phil started making these kosher wines when he was the Winemaker at Spencer Hill under the Goose Bay label. We have had a mutually rewarding relationship with Royal for the past 15 years.
We are not Jewish and bottling and shipping these kosher wines is problematic. As such we choose to have Royal bottle these wines at their winery in California. Washington State laws say that once we have shipped Pacifica wines to Royal for bottling, we are not allowed to bring them back to the winery for tasting or sales. They are available at many stores throughout the country that carry a range of Kosher wines. A quick search on Google will usually find the Pacifica wines online at many liquor stores, some with free shipping.
Mevushal vs Non-Mevushal
For a wine to be mevushal it must be flash pasteurized.
To most trained winemakers this issue is irrelevant. It is no different than a discussion as to whether oak could improve a wine or does filtering make a wine less. Sometimes pasteurization helps (releasing aromatics) and sometimes it hinders (shortens aging ability). Simply put, there are those persons that require these types of wines. We will assist them by supplying some Pacifica wines that we feel are able to undergo this process. Our Oregon Pinot Noir is not mevushal nor is the Washington Meritage. Our Washington Cabernet-Merlot and Riesling is mevushal.
Contract Winemaking Services
Our contract winemaking business started at our Underwood winery with the construction of an additional building in late 2018. This service is based on 30 years of contract winemaking experience in New Zealand making various wines for other wineries, growers and wholesalers. At Underwood we can now offer contract winemaking from crush through to bottling or any part of these services. We can work alongside your consulting winemaker or provide consultation ourselves.
We understand the commitment one must make to produce saleable and quality wines. Our winemakers are prepared to discuss with you or your consulting winemaker any specific requirements. We also understand the responsibility clients place in us and will be dedicated to small to medium contract winemaking. We can also offer crush services such as de-juicing with our larger equipment.
We are fortunate to have four full time, trained and experienced winemakers that work within our organization. All have extensive experience and our clients are free to discuss with any or all. Two are based at Underwood and two currently visit from New Zealand over the season.
All contract winemaking will be outlined and agreed with a signed contract. Please contact us concerning your needs.
Services offered
Custom crush of juice or fermentation to wine.
Full winemaking services from crush to bottle.
Tank or barrel ageing.
Also,
Consultation or assistance at your winery or vineyard.
Winery equipment and design assistance.
Facility and Equipment
Two winery buildings for a total of 8200 sq. Ft.
Three horizontal presses with 18 ton of crushed grape capacity.
Crusher 15 ton/hr. capacity.
Various bin and emptying equipment.
Five high speed pumps and two must pumps.
Numerous tanks totaling approximately 130,000 litres with 1/3 on cooling/heating.
Two 7 ton cooling/heating units.
One 1,200,000 BTU Boiler and pasteurization heat exchanger.
Various filtration including earth, pad, cartridge and membrane.
Flotation pump.
Various semi auto bottling equipment including bottle rinser/gasser, 6 bottle filler, gas/vacuum corker, label printer, two roll labeller.
We are fully equipped to handle all red and white wine. Note: We have a three ton minimum per varietal.