Neon Eon Horizon 2019

Horizon is a red blend from Tyler Thrussell's Neon Eon project in Summerland, British Columbia. The 2019 is built from Merlot, Zweigelt, and Syrah sourced from the Okanagan Valley, where vineyards sit on clay, gravel, and loam soils shaped by glacial activity. Summerland sits on the western shore of Okanagan Lake, which moderates the continental climate and extends the growing season into autumn.

Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeast. The wine is aged in old oak, then bottled unfined and unfiltered with zero added sulfites and zero total sulfites. No yeasts, enzymes, nutrients, or other inputs are used at any stage.

Zweigelt, an Austrian crossing of Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent, adds bright red fruit and firm acidity to the Merlot's softer, rounder frame. Syrah pulls the blend toward darker fruit and a hint of pepper. The result is a medium-bodied red with enough structure to hold up to food and enough freshness to drink without much ceremony.