The Okanagan Falls and Skaha Lake Winery Association is the umbrella organization that represents the 15 wineries in the region:
Black Market Wine Company
Blasted Church Vineyards
Bonamici Cellars
Carter Wine Company
Crescent Hill Winery
Lakeboat Winery
Liquidity Wines
Meyer Family Vineyards
Mayhem
Nighthawk
Noble Ridge
Play Winery
See Ya Later
Stag’s Hollow
Wild Goose
Over the years, I have always found the Okanagan Falls release events to be among the best-organized affairs so I try to attend them whenever possible. These release parties allow the wineries to showcase their latest offerings to store owners, restaurant wine directors, the media, and the wine-loving public. They begin with an afternoon session for those who work in the hospitality trades which is followed in the evening with an event for ticket holders.
Though I now live in Kelowna, I travelled to Vancouver for this one as it gives me the opportunity to catch up with all the owners and winemakers in one room and their wines tend to be top-notch.
The 2023 event was rather special as we haven’t had much opportunity to gather for some time. Besides all the producers, it was also great to reconnect with many of my fellow wine writers – John Schreiner @Goodgrog, Valerie and Mike Van Der Gracht @MyVanCity, Brent Gushowaty @BCPinotNoir, Christine Campbell @Girlsgonegrape, Cassandra Anderton @goodlifevancouver, Barb Wild @Goodwinegal, and Karl Kiliparchuk @MyWinePal.
My usual tact at such events is to take bottle shots of the wines I find particularly interesting. However, because of a lot of socializing, that never happened and I apologize for the lack of photos.
Here are some very brief notes on the wines I tasted.
Blasted Church Vineyards
Tanya Martin, General Manager and Evan Saunders, winemaker, were on hand pouring their wines.
Syrah 2019
Very impressive. Must be sure to buy this one.
Merlot 2018
Yummy, lots of flavour, needs time or serve now with some big protein.
Wild Goose
Pinot Gris 2022
This crowd-pleaser shows very good varietal character and good body. Great patio wine.
Riesling 2021
Always good. Apple, citrus, minerality. Versatile food wine.
Noble Ridge
Owners Jim and Leslie D’Andrea were there to celebrate their 20th year, to pour wines, and answer people’s questions.
Stony Knoll Chardonnay 2021
Well-integrated oak and fruit. The terroir shines through along with finesse and great varietal character. A long, lingering finish.
Noble Meritage 2021
This blend is just a baby and needs some time to age, but you can tell it is going to shine.
King’s Ransom Pino Noir 2016
This one will go the distance. If I had it in my cellar, I’d open it in 2026 – 2028.
Liquidity Wines
Rosé of Pinot Noir 2022
Elegant, dry, good varietal character.
Reserve Chardonnay 2020
Layered oak and fruit, minerality, long lingering finish. Wow!
Reserve Cabernet Franc 2020
A bit tart but with good varietal character, bright, and needs a little more time to age.
Estate Pinot Noir 2020
Integrated on the nose and palate followed by a medium-plus finish.
Meyer Family Vineyards
Janice and JAK Meyer were on hand to pour their wines.
Old Main Road Chardonnay 2021
Delightful nose, well-integrated oak and fruit, good mouthfeel.
Okanagan Valley Chardonnay 2022
Bright citrus, fresh and flavourful. Good value Chardonnay.
McLean Creek Pinot Noir 2020
Always a favourite, juicy on the palate followed by a medium-long finish.
Mayhem
Owners Terry Meyer Stone and her husband Andrew were pouring their wines and answering people’s questions. (Andrew is a soil health geek and always fascinating to talk to.)
Sparkling White Chardonnay 2022
This wine in a can is a delightful patio wine, very refreshing. But be careful, one can is equal to 1/3 of a bottle and it is very easy to go through several.
Sparkling Rosé 2022
Bright and refreshing with a lingering finish. Very tasty. Also packaged in cans.
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
No doubt what this wine is, citrus, gooseberry, tropical fruit, a great wine to serve on a sunny day or before dinner. A very versatile food wine.
Nighthawk
Christy, Daniel Bibby owners, and their winemaker daughter Dakota were all on hand.
Rosé 2022
100% Pinot Noir. Lots of bright ripe fruit flavours and drier than expected based on the nose. This one is sure to make believers of those who still believe that pink equals sweet.
Cabernet Franc 2018
Very good. Bright, light, and juicy with some minerality and a lingering finish.
Pinot Noir 2020
Very nice, good varietal character, medium-body, pleasing on the palate, medium-plus finish.
Lakeboat Winery
Owner Tara Matheson and winemaker Mireille Sauvé were in attendance.
Chardonnay 2021
Delicate use of oak, good varietal character, pleasing on the palate with a medium-plus finish.
Merlot 2020
Pronounced fruit on the nose, juicy berries, soft, smooth, slightly sweet entry, medium finish.
Stag’s Hollow
Keira Le Franc, winemaker and Libby Nixon, assistant winemaker were on hand.
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Yum-me! Great varietal character, dry, versatile food wine.
Dolecetto Rosato 2022
Shows a finesse reminiscent of better French rosés.
Dolecetto 2019
Light, full flavoured, with savoury notes that will appeal to Gamay and Pinot Noir lovers. A versatile food wine.
Syrah 2020
Bright fruit and berries on the nose and palate. A slightly warm finish though the alcohol level is not high at all.
Black Market Wine Company
Proprietors Rob Hammersley and Michelle Shewchuk poured their wines for guests.
Estate Bacchus 2022
Delightfully inviting, dry, great food wine. I’d opt for prawns and scallops with this one.
Omerta Cabernet Franc 2022
This rosé is light on the nose and palate with good mouthfeel, nice patio wine
Syrah 2020
Good varietal character, especially dark fruit, berries, and black pepper, medium-long finish.
The Syndicate 2020
A big Bordeaux-styled wine. Very good.
Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it to every winery, so they will be on my visit to visit in person this season. Next time, bottle shots!
Be sure to make this region part of your tour when visiting BC wine country.
(All photos, except as noted – Sam Hauck) Feature image: Vancouver springtime cherry blossoms greeted people at the OK Falls tasting event.
