Tasting Note I have had two opportunities — pre-release in autumn 2024 and again in December 2025 — to taste the debut range from Ailm Estate, which was not entered in the National Wine Awards of Canada. It is a new project, based on young vineyards in South Kelowna. This Reserve — the most expensive in the range — is a blend of 82% pinot noir and 18% chardonnay aged 40 months in bottle with 6.5 g/L sugar dosage. The nose is quite sophisticated, with fine, well-integrated apple, vanilla custard/fudge, lemon blossom and slivered almond. It is gentle and fruit-driven with excellent depth and intensity. It is my favourite in the range. Overall, I have found the Ailm wines to be very well made and pure if perhaps a bit softer, more tender and fruity. Young vine age and dosage or sweetness topping levels are relevant factors.
Backgrounder This new sparkling wine specialist owned by the Stewart family (of Quails’ Gate) opened in late 2024. It is based on a large new vineyard that began planting in 2015 on the site of a former tree farm, with the vision of a dedicated sparkling wine house in mind. One lone pine tree was left standing, inspiring the name Ailm, an Ogham (ancient Irish language) letter that symbolizes a pine or fir tree. It is intended to reflect the Stewart family’s Irish heritage. The Ailm sparkling range includes a Brut NV with 57% chardonnay, 33% pinot noir and 10% pinot meunier aged 24 months and sweetened with 7.5 g/L of sugar. The Rose Brut 2022 is 60% pinot noir, 20% pinot meunier and 20% chardonnay with 8.5 g/L. The Blanc de Blanc 2021 is 100% chardonnay aged 28 months 6.5 g/L.
