2022 Haywire Lunar Red.

There are wines that simply mark a moment, and then there are wines that mean something. Haywire Winery’s Lunar Red has always belonged firmly in the latter camp with an annual release that intertwines wine, culture, and community in a way few Canadian bottlings manage to achieve. With the arrival of the 2022 Lunar Red, Haywire once again ushers in Lunar New Year with intention and respect.

This year’s release celebrates the Year of the Horse, a zodiac sign deeply rooted in Chinese history and symbolism. For thousands of years, horses were central to daily life in ancient China, essential for agriculture, travel, and warfare.

2026 the Year of the Horse.

They came to represent strength, stamina, loyalty, and an uncontainable sense of freedom. In the zodiac, the Horse is energetic and driven, known for forward momentum, independence, and optimism.

It’s a fitting metaphor for wine.

Like the horse, wine is a product of movement and time; and of seasons, patience, and purposeful energy. Vines dig deep, adapt, and endure, while the finished wine carries a sense of place and momentum from the vineyard to the bottle.

The Year of the Horse invites action and confidence, making it a particularly apt symbol for a bold red wine meant to anchor celebratory meals and shared moments.

A Pioneer with Purpose

Haywire first launched Lunar Red in 2014, becoming the first BC winery to release a wine in honour of Lunar New Year.

Haywire Winery’s tasting room in Summerland, BC.

What began as a meaningful gesture has evolved into a cherished annual tradition, and one that continues to grow in both relevance and resonance.

The 2022 Lunar Red is a Merlot-dominant blend that stays true to that original spirit while confidently stepping forward. The nose opens with dark red fruit, cassis, and vanilla, shaped by the restrained elegance typical of Summerland’s Okanagan terroir. Subtle notes of baking spice add complexity without excess. On the palate, vibrant black cherry and plum unfolds with a distinctly cool-climate precision, framed by fresh acidity.

It’s a wine that feels celebratory without being showy. It’s grounded, expressive, and undeniably food-friendly.

More Than a Bottle

What elevates Lunar Red beyond the glass is its purpose. A portion of proceeds from every bottle sold supports the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, Canada’s award-winning cultural hub dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Vancouver’s Chinatown.

Chinatown Storytelling Centre [Source: Chinatown Storytelling Centre]

The Centre exists to honour the lived experiences of Chinese Canadians whose contributions helped shape this country, often in the face of profound discrimination. From labourers who built the Canadian Pacific Railway, to those denied the right to enlist during World War II because of their ethnicity, these stories are foundational to Canada’s history, yet too often left untold. Chinatown became a place of belonging in an otherwise hostile environment and is a community built on resilience, family, friendship, and hope.

The Chinatown Storytelling Centre acts as a bridge between generations, a way to honour sacrifice while inspiring understanding and resolve for the future. Supporting this work feels especially aligned with Lunar New Year, a time defined by reflection, renewal, and connection.

A Celebration of Community

2022 Haywire Lunar Red.

At its heart, Lunar Red is about honouring tradition while keeping it alive and relevant. It acknowledges that wine is never just about what’s in the bottle, it’s about the people it brings together and the stories it carries forward.

The 2022 Lunar Red does exactly that. It celebrates the Year of the Horse with confidence and warmth, offers a beautifully crafted wine for festive tables, and gives back to a community whose stories deserve to be heard and remembered.

In a world that often moves too quickly, this is a wine that asks you to pause, pour generously, and celebrate both the present and the past.

Lunar Red is available for purchase directly here, with shipping available across Canada. It can also be found at select private liquor stores and restaurants throughout British Columbia.

If past vintages are any indication, it won’t linger long, so consider this your sign to welcome the Year of the Horse with purpose, generosity, and a very good glass of wine.

*Authour’s Note: This bottle was provided as a media sample; all impressions and opinions expressed remain independent and editorial in nature.