One of the best views in the Valley.

Climate change continues to be a growing concern worldwide and conscious consumerism has forced business industries to shift their view on sustainability from an optional nice to have to a minimum requirement. The wine industry is no different and one of the wineries helping lead the movement in BC is Summerland’s Okanagan Crush Pad (OCP). For more than a decade, sustainability, both in the vineyards and in the winery, has been at the heart of what they do. Their newest project, Garnet Valley Ranch not only embodies this spirit in the winery, but also demonstrates it beautifully through a truly memorable personal experience at the property itself.

Steve Lornie & Christine Coletta [source: Haywire]

The people behind OCP are Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie who started their purpose-built crush business a little over a decade ago after identifying a considerable need among BC winery start-ups within the rapidly growing Okanagan Valley. Initially they used one third of the facility to make their own wine while clients used the other two thirds.

A wonderful welcome at Haywire.

A decade later their own portfolio of wines grew so much in popularity, they transitioned their custom crush facility into a full-time winery rebranding it under their flagship ‘Haywire’ which makes up more than half of their production. They built a new tasting room that opened in April of this year, providing visitors with optimal views of the crush pad, along with gorgeous lake and vineyard scenery, all while enjoying Haywire wines in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Haywire wines are cooler climate focused, using lots of concrete, and very little oak.

Garnet Valley Ranch.

Narrative is the brand that tells the story of the region with grapes from partner growers throughout the Okanagan Valley including Osoyoos, Kaledon, and Oliver. While the overall winemaking approach at OCP is low intervention, the Free Form brand consists of wines that that are particularly so using 100% organic grapes, native yeast, and concrete or clay for fermentation. Rounding out the portfolio is Bizou & Yukon, a direct to consumer offering that they call their ‘joyful’ project named for their two great Pyrenees dogs that guard their Garnet Valley Ranch property.

Which brings us to their latest and most ambitious project yet, a second winery and dazzling new tasting room called “The Outlook” at that Garnet Valley Ranch property.

Garnet Valley Ranch is a 320-acre property that Christine and Steve discovered in 2012 and planted their first vines there in 2014.

The pond on the Garnet Valley property.

It’s a breathtakingly beautiful place where they’re employing regenerative agricultural methods that focus on soil health, increasing biodiversity and encouraging a polyculture approach.

Garnet Valley Ranch now consists of close to 70 acres of certified organic farm, 60 acres of which is planted under vine. A local farmer leases 8.5 acres which he uses to grow produce as that particular block is too nutrient rich along with a water retention rate too high for vines. There’s also a 2-acre lavender farm, beehives, 3 chicken coops, and a pond. That pond is a popular watering hole for a variety of wildlife so the fencing put up to protect the vines allows for a corridor that animals can use to access the water.

The Outlook.

The Outlook was completed earlier this year with the objective of providing a premium experience to wine club members. The location of the room within the property is nothing short of spectacular. Designed to blend into the surroundings, it features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the vineyards offering up sweeping views without being overtly noticeable itself. The focus here is on the land and the Outlook serves as the perfect observation point.

A sparkling view at GVR.

Pinot Noir is the predominant variety planted on site along with some Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Meunier, Chenin Blanc, and Gamay Noir. The Free Form Blanc de Noir sparkling, Pinot Noir Rose and Riesling are all made with fruit from Garnet Valley Ranch. This year, the inaugural release of the Garnet Valley Ranch label includes the 2016 Traditional Method Sparkling wine, the 2021 Chardonnay and the 2021 Pinot Noir [see tasting notes below].

We were greeted at the property by Craig Pingle, General Manager at Okanagan Crush Pad, who started our visit off with a glass of the 2016 Garnet Valley Sparkling.

Craig Pingle starting the day off brilliantly.

OCP does sparkling incredibly well and this one was no different. The added bonus of being able to have an inaugural release with this much age was an absolute treat.

We sipped our sparkling while taking in the beautiful views as Craig gave us an overview of what we were looking at. The sloped vineyards sit between 600-680 metres above sea level which he confirmed are the highest elevation sites in the Okanagan Valley.

“We had another really cold winter up here and throughout the Valley this year, sort of mid-December, and that caused a lot of damage throughout the Valley. But thanks to our elevation, we actually got some snow and it helped insulate the vines and we didn’t have as high a bud mortality as some vineyards…generally speaking 10-20% of bud mortality is expected, but we’re never going to get 4 tons/acre up here because we have such high elevation, but one thing we will get is premium grapes that come from this site. We have the cool nights which helps maintain that acidity and balance and due to the naturally lower yields overall, the quality of the fruit will be off the charts.”

One of the vineyard blocks at GVR.

As we hop into the electric golf cart to take a closer look, we learn that renown Chilean terroir specialist Pedro Parra is behind the design of the property’s 15 vineyard blocks. Parra undertakes extensive research on soil and geology that helps in deciding which viticultural strategies to employ.

GM Craig Pingle introducing us to GVR.

The altitude here is key, Craig explains, as the soils are so much more different than on the valley floor. It also means a shorter but more intense growing season with much greater diurnal temperature swings between the hot days and cool nights. The result are wines with lower sugar and alcohol levels, and higher acidity.

OCP stands apart from many of its peers not only for their farming practices, but also for the focus they put on ensuring a high-quality visitor experience.

Part of the wine lineup at GVR.

The new tasting room at Haywire Winery goes beyond offering just a taste of their wines by including a stroll through their Switchback estate vineyard as well as a tour through the winery to see their signature concrete tanks.

The Outlook at Garnet Valley Ranch quite literally takes the visitor experience to new heights putting Mother Nature on full, unobstructed display. For us, there are few things more satisfying than drinking wines at their source, and Garnet Valley Ranch delivers one of the best opportunities to do that anywhere in BC.

Tasting Notes

2013 Haywire Vintage Bub Sparkling Wine

2013 Haywire Vintage Bub

Made in the traditional method of Champagne, this is quite exceptional for a New World Sparkling wine. This has the depth and autolytic notes that most sparkling wines outside of Champagne struggle to deliver. Medium+ in body and very dry it has a great mouthfeel. Showing notes of grapefruit, citrus peel, pear and minerals, this is complex and shows considerable sophistication. The finish is long and crisp.

Excellent

2016 Garnet Valley Ranch Sparkling Wine

2016 Garnet Valley Sparkling

Another great bubbles from the Haywire crew, this vineyard designate sparkler also has the depth that the 2013 Bub has which creates such a satisfying mouthfeel. Here we get notes of apple, pear, hints of citrus and an underpinning of brioche. Lovely texture aligns with great precision.

Excellent

2020 Free Form Pinot Gris

From the low intervention side of the winery, this wine has a pale orange hue. We get notes of strawberry and melon flavours with a crisp, spicy finish. Medium body and medium acid create a pleasing texture. More Alsace than Italy in character.

Very Good+

2021 Garnet Valley Ranch Chardonnay

2021 Garnet Valley Ranch Chardonnay

Medium gold in colour. We get notes of pear and apple driving the primary fruit flavours. Subtle hints of almonds and marzipan bring additional complexity. With a bit of air, they are joined by a mineral streak that punctuates the finish.

Very good+

2019 Free Form Vin Gris

We found this to be a really interesting wine. Made from 100% Pinot Noir with no skin contact, you get a white wine made form a red grape. The élevage occurs entirely in concrete tanks. Notes of apple, cherry skins, and hints oof marzipan all come together to make for a unique yet very refreshing wine. Lots of intensity. White wine flavours with red wine body!

Very good/Excellent

2021 Garnet Valley Ranch Pinot Noir

Garnet Valley Ranch Pinot Noir

Single vineyard character and quality come through in this delicious Pinot Noir. Lots of care goes into producing this wine: 50% whole clusters are used then basket pressed and raised in concrete tanks. Flavours of red and black cherry get support form cracked pepper notes. The wine has good texture. The finish is long and mineral infused.

Very Good/Excellent

Okanagan Crush Pad

A first-class tasting experience.

16576 Fosbery Rd

Summerland, BC Canada

T: (250) 494-4445

E: info@haywirewinery.com

*Garnet Valley Ranch Experience: Click HERE to book.