Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Seven Stars Aurora 2020

Jennifer Havers rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Aurora is a sparkling blanc de noir, made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. Aromas include golden apple, yeasty, fresh bread, and hints of tart red berries. Light, crisp, and effervescent on the palate, this wine has just a touch of sweetness, and flavours of creamy lemon, tart field berries, and a touch of fresh baked bread mingle with vibrant acidity and a crisp, persistent bubble. Enjoy with smoked salmon at brunch or for a pre-dinner apperitif.

Deborah Podurgiel WSET IV Candidate rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Another pretty Aurora (2020) from Township 7 Vineyards and Winery to honour the Goddess of Dawn, who ancient Romans believed brought light to heaven and earth, and whose tears created the sparkling morning dew.

Fresh and crisp with aromas of yellow apple, dried strawberry, red berry, soft citrus and brioche flavours with a touch of sweetness on a gentle mousse, Aurora is a sparkling Blanc de Noir made in the classic méthode champenoise (as in the making of champagne) from 100% Pinot Noir from a single vineyard, the Stoneridge Vineyard in Okanagan Falls, B.C. Here, Okanagan summer heat is tempered by the nearby Okanagan River and the coolness of the high-elevation vineyard. The wine was left “en tirage” for 30 months to develop autolytic flavours and after riddling it was disgorged and a small amount of proprietary dosage was added for complexity and depth of flavour. Tasted July 2024.

Winery report: "This year brought just about everything mother nature could throw at us. Cool, wet spring weather delayed bud burst about 7–10 days. Heavy rains during flowering interrupted pollination, leading to a poor fruit set and became the defining feature of the vintage, with yields down 20-30% from average. Overall, the grapes from this harvest were nicely balanced, with good acidity and slightly lower sugar levels, making for wines with excellent balance, finesse, and ageability."