We’ve stayed in all kinds of accommodations in wine country: cozy vineyard cabins, refurbished wine barns, even luxury estates hidden among the vines.

The Flying Cloud Airstream.

But none have felt as immersive or as uniquely intertwined with the land as this. Okanagan Crush Pad’s Garnet Valley Ranch offers an off-the-grid escape unlike any other in Summerland, a serene corner of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

Here, our wine country getaway came in the form of a 2022 Airstream Flying Cloud, glamping-style, parked amid organic vines and rolling hills. It’s peaceful, private, and feels like a true oasis—a rare chance to disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with the land.

But Garnet Valley Ranch is so much more than a picturesque glamping site.

A landscape left to breathe.

Spanning 320 acres, it’s a working organic farm and vineyard, a centre for regenerative agriculture, and a model for thoughtful, sustainable development in BC wine country. It’s a place where you don’t just visit—you feel the vineyard underfoot, breathe in the lavender, and experience the wines where they’re grown.

Discovered in 2012 by wine country visionaries Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie, Garnet Valley Ranch has been carefully shaped into a living ecosystem.

The soil composition at Garnet Valley Ranch.

With guidance from longtime collaborators like David Scholefield and world-renowned terroir expert Pedro Parra (aka “Dr. Terroir”), the land was approached not as something to be conquered, but understood. Parra’s philosophy—protect the soil, follow the contours, work with nature—laid the foundation for what was to come. He called the site “magnificent.”

By 2014, the first vines were planted and today, nearly 70 acres are under certified organic cultivation, including 60 acres of vineyard with 12,000 new vines recently added.

Wines produced at GVR.

The fruit grown here anchors some of Haywire’s most distinctive wines, including those under the Garnet Valley Ranch and Free Form labels. Crafted with minimal intervention, Free Form wines reveal just how vibrant and age-worthy this style can be. Consider the Free Form Cabernet Franc Rosé: still fresh and complex six years on, it challenges the idea that rosé lacks longevity. Or the Vin Gris, a textured, savory bottling that reflects both precision in the vineyard and a restrained hand in the cellar.

Another key influence was Alan York, the pioneering biodynamic consultant featured in The Biggest Little Farm. Alan’s final project was Garnet Valley Ranch. His guidance left a lasting imprint, including his simple, powerful reminder: “You’re doing this for the next generation. Keep it living. Keep it thriving.” His passing in 2014 hit hard, but his ethos lives on in every decision made here.

One of the many stunning views at Garnet Valley Ranch.

From the beginning, Christine and Steve have resisted overdevelopment. There are no paved roads or flashy buildings—just what’s needed, and nothing more. The landscape is left to breathe. Other wineries may offer polished experiences. Garnet Valley Ranch offers something deeper: authenticity, humility, and a reverence for nature.

The ranch thrives as a diverse, living ecosystem: a local farmer leases land to grow fresh produce, while beehives, chicken coops, and a fragrant 2-acre lavender field support pollination and biodiversity. Wildlife corridors are carefully maintained so animals can access the pond, a vital water source. It’s a place where farming and wildness are partners, not competitors.

The patio at The Outlook.

Guests who are wine club members can access The Outlook, a striking architectural retreat tucked into the hillside. With floor-to-ceiling windows that frame panoramic views of the vineyard, it’s both a tasting room and a contemplative space. It’s also a front-row seat to the rhythms of the ranch. It’s here that the wines shine brightest; uncorked in the place they were born, from structured Garnet Valley Ranch Pinot Noir to the mineral-laced Chardonnay.

Adding to the ranch’s hospitality offerings is a newly built covered event space, complementing the existing 2,500-square-foot shade sail patio. This new addition allows Garnet Valley Ranch to host larger events (weddings, corporate retreats, and extended family gatherings), all surrounded by the beauty of the vines and sky.

Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie [credit: Leeann Froese]

At the heart of all of this are Christine and Steve. Known for their trailblazing work as founders of Okanagan Crush Pad and Haywire Wines, they’ve poured the same passion and foresight into Garnet Valley Ranch and what they’ve built here is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a place that nurtures the land, the wine, and those lucky enough to stay.

Whether you’re a wine lover looking for a meaningful connection to what’s in your glass, a nature enthusiast craving stillness, or simply someone in search of something a little magical, a visit to Garnet Valley Ranch delivers. This is wine country, reimagined…and it’s unforgettable.

Wine country unplugged.

Ready to unplug in wine country?
For more information about experiencing all that Garnet Valley Ranch has to offer visit: Experiences at Garnet Valley Ranch Winery – Okanagan Crush Pad