A bit about the vineyard

We spent a lot of time and several flights to the Okanagan before choosing this property. It is a 5 acre plot located on McLean Creek Rd in Okanagan Falls BC. Okanagan Falls is a unique wine growing region in the hills at the south end of Skaha Lake, between Penticton and Oliver. This region has many different slopes and micro climates and in many areas resembles the steep vineyards of the Mosel River Valley in Germany. It is not surprising then that it is well suited to Riesling with argueably some of the best in the Valley coming from Wild Goose Winery who coincidentally sold us the property. Other earlier ripening varietals also thrive here such at Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Our vineyard is currently planted with 3-4 year old vines made up of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Muscat and Malbec. The Muscat and Malbec have not done well and we are replanting both plots. The Muscat is being replanted with Riesling clone 21B and the steeper more southern section of the malbec is being replanted with a field blend of Pinot Noir. Our vineyard sits in a pass between two small mountains up on a plateau. The wind blows through the mountain pass and gently cools the grapes at night which should bring excellent balance and more measured ripening of the grapes. The pass is broad and our vineyard is at the southern end where it opens up to the rest of the valley so sun exposure is long and plentiful in the growing season.

It will be 3 years before any reasonable crop can be realized from the new plantings but crops from the existing plantings will be sold to a local winery for at least the next few years.