The team at Garnet Valley Ranch Winery announces that the property will open for the season and for the first time to the public on Friday, May 17, until Saturday October 12, 2024.
Celebrate the 2024 Lunar New Year with the Enthusiastic Return of Haywire Lunar Red
The team at Haywire Winery is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of its Lunar New Year limited edition wine, Haywire Lunar Red, in celebration of the Year of the Dragon. This release marks a continuation of a tradition that began with the winery’s first Lunar New Year wine in 2014, when the team at Haywire was the first BC winery to release a Lunar wine label.
Okanagan Crush Pad Winery Achieves New Milestones in Environmental Stewardship
Okanagan Crush Pad Winery has become the first Canadian winery to attain silver membership with International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), joining a prestigious list of global wineries committed to addressing climate change. Additionally, the winery has made history by converting to Fortis BC's Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) program.
Favourite Summerland winery renamed to Haywire
Okanagan Crush Pad Marks Changes to its Business Model with A New Name, Look and Visitor Experience
It’s been an exciting start to 2023 at Okanagan Crush Pad: after 11 years running Canada’s first purpose-built custom crush winemaking business successfully, the team is saying goodbye to its original business model by renaming to Haywire Winery.
YAY for Cabernet - the Wine that Does it All
Whether you’re starting off in the wine world or a seasoned sommelier, Cabernet based wines find their way onto any palate. BC wineries such as TIME Family of Wines, Blasted Church Vineyards, Blue Grouse Estate, and Okanagan Crush Pad, all boast impressive selections that represent the best of Canadian wines.
Bizou + Yukon Wine Cans are the Go-To Summer Drink
The Okanagan’s Favourite Great Pyrenees have been cooking up something new in the winery
Bizou + Yukon recently released their sparkling wine cans and we’re excited to share the news with everyone.
If you follow along you will know that two Great Pyrenees guard Garnet Valley Ranch and sometimes sneak off to make their own wines. In their lineup of fun and tasty wines, they have also taken a step to be more environmentally friendly too, packaging them in 1.5-litre easy-serve bags (Pooch Pouches). Noticing that humans love to bring drinks on their adventures, Bizou + Yukon came up with the Pinkie Rosé and BEE-zoo Pink Bubbles sparkling wine in cans.
Now with summer at its peak, bring the taste of the Okanagan with you wherever you go! Bizou suggests that the wine pairs perfectly with digging a giant hole, wandering through fields of daisies, or chasing bees and butterflies. On the other hand, Yukon watches Bizou do all those things while sipping wine and lounging on a patio chair.
What’s more important than these vegan and gluten-free wines in convenient canned form? The way it tastes, of course! With bright and refreshing flavours, you’ll notice toasty and creamy notes that round out a medium-bodied mouthfeel.
You can find packages of four at select stores or you can order a pallet of 24 cans from Okanagan Crush Pad’s online store.
For a list of stores:
Okanagan Crush Pad Tasting Room
Sechelt Lighthouse Liquor Store
Thrifty Foods Liquor – Salt Sprint
Vintage Spirits (Hotel Rialto)
SEE WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY
Six BC Wines for White Wine Day
Happy National White Wine Day!
To celebrate, we’ve got a list of six exciting BC wines that will be perfect for your next occasion or dinner this summer.
White wines have been around for at least 4,000 years and through those years wineries have only gotten better at creating tastier vintages. With crisper tones, white wines have a more acidic, floral, and fruity taste, giving them a lighter flavour combined with subtle overtones.
Try these:
1. Blue Grouse 2021 Ortega - $25.99 online or in select wine stores in BC. The wine reflects the best of Cowichan Valley’s warm summers. Ortega is Vancouver Island’s signature grape, and Blue Grouse is Vancouver Island’s signature winery, so this wine is the perfect representation of the region. Whole cluster pressed, this fruit-forward wine is bright, savoury, and well-balanced.
2. Singletree 2020 Gruner Veltliner - $19.10 online or get it while you can at Vij’s Restaurant. Only 111 cases made. The wine was fermented in stainless steel to bring out delicious aromas of nectarine, pineapple, and melon. There are also flavours of Meyer lemon, apple, and citrus. Pair this refreshing white wine with some roasted asparagus and smoked fish.
3. Blasted Church 2021 Unorthodox Chardonnay - $22.00 online or at the winery in Okanagan Falls, BC. Its ‘unorthodox’ name is a nod to the wine being the only one made in Canada with Chardonnay Musque. This lesser grown in BC Chardonnay offers waves of bright floral and spice, and a splash of stone fruit, all supported by a vibrant undercurrent of fresh citrus.
4. Haywire Switchback 2018 Pinot Gris - $29.99 online, at Legacy Liquor Store or Marquis Wine Cellars. A special wine from a special place lovingly organically farmed and tended to. This wine shows the adaptability of Pinot Gris to represent the region and more importantly its site and micro-climate. Truly a wine that can only be known as “Switchback”. Harvested in two batches and whole bunch pressed, it was naturally fermented before resting on lees for 10 months. The wine itself has a creamy mouthfeel along with lively acidity that displays citrus and stone fruit characters. Critics love this wine, and you will too.
5. Chronos 2020 Riesling - $28.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Crafted with precision by winemaker Lynzee Schatz at TIME Family of Wines, this unrushed wine brings out the Okanagan Valley terroir exquisitely. Fermented in two different tanks with different yeast strains, blending them together brought out their sweetness and acidity. To enjoy this vibrant, bright, and juicy wine, sip it during a meal with an orange-miso halibut and a beet carpaccio.
6. Coolshanagh 2018 Chardonnay - $30.00 online. Our premium pick, nothing brings out Okanagan terroir better than this wine. The new world Chardonnay was handled with care, it was fermented through 25% new French oak barrel, 25% concrete tank and 50% stainless steel. The Chardonnay has a classic Okanagan mineral streak and integrates flavours of popcorn, wet stone, and rich ripe fruit flavours.
Happy Pinot Gris Day!
Originating in Burgundy, France in the Middle Ages, this white grape variety is a mutation of pinot noir and has medium acidity with flavours of citrus, green apple, and white peach.
To help celebrate Pinot Gris Day, here are 6 locally made, delicious Pinot Gris!
1. Blue Grouse Quill 2021 Pinot Gris - $22.99 online or select wine stores in BC. The Cowichan Valley gives this wine its fresh acidity and the presence of some malolactic fermentation adds a medium body, with a nice touch of creaminess on the palate. Expect flavours of apple compote and lemon curd. This “sipper” is ideally paired with halibut, shellfish, an endive salad or a hard cheese like Manchego.
2. Evolve 2020 Pinot Gris - $22.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Light as air, and soft as silk. Lovingly made for the heat of the day and the heat of the moment. Floral and fragrant, an Okanagan summer in a glass. Aged sur lie for an extra textural flair, to set it apart from the rest.
3. Blasted Church 2021 Skaha Bench Pinot Gris - $24.00 online or at the winery in Okanagan Falls, BC. Rich stone fruit on the attack through into the beautifully textured mid-palate. The pear, apple, and citrus pile on into the vibrant finish. Pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or salty cheese.
4. Haywire 2021 Pinot Gris - $27.99 online or at the winery’s store in Summerland, BC. Intensely textured and very fruit forward with juicy acidity, this wine was pressed and fermented in concrete, stainless steel and oak foudre using natural yeast. The wine stayed on its lees for six months before being filtered and bottled.
5. Singletree 2020 Pinot Gris - $19.10 online or the winery’s store in Abbotsford, BC. Cool-fermented in stainless steel to result in aromas of pineapple, peppers, and tangerine. Flavours of Asian pear and honeysuckle.
6. Singletree 2019 Pinot Gris - $17.40 online or the winery’s store in Abbotsford, BC. This year the winery team blended two valleys of fruit. 75% of the fruit came from the winery’s Mt.Lehman vineyards while the other 25% comes from the Naramata bench vineyard. It has tropical flavours of pineapple, mango and lime.
5 Local wines for Viognier Day
Happy International Viognier Day!
Here are 5 locally-made BC Viognier wines to help you celebrate.
Viognier is a full-bodied white wine that originated in Southern France, dating back to the Roman Empire. After almost becoming extinct in the 1960s, Viognier has made a comeback and is now widely enjoyed around the world.
With its softness and natural low acidity, Viognier pairs well with everything from seafood to spicy Asian food.
You will want to seek these out so you can compare and contrast:
1. Singletree 2020 Viognier, $20.75 online or at the winery in Abbotsford, BC. Aromas of ginger, mango, rose. Flavours of tangerine, peach and honey. Off-dry stainless steel fermented.
2. Narrative 2018 Viognier, $24 At Steamworks Liquor Store in Vancouver, BC. Oily and rich with deep tropical notes and a very lengthy finish.
3. Evolve 2018 Viognier, $19.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Aromas of peach, apricot, honeysuckle, with floral accents. Flavours of delicate stone fruit and light spices; juicy.
4. Blasted Church 2020 Viognier, $20.75 online or at the winery in Okanagan Falls, BC. Tasting notes of stone fruits, tropical fruit, blossoms, and orange.
5. TIME 2018 Viognier, $19.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Aromas of pineapple, orange, apricot, citrus, and floral notes. Lush tropical flavours with coconut from oak barrels. Finishes with a long, textured mouthfeel.
Choose A Sustainable BC Wine for Earth Day
Friday, April 22, 2022 is Earth Day! If you’re gong to open a bottle of something bubbly and delicious, reach for one of the following BC wines, all made sustainably and locally.
credit: David Bain photography
Blue Grouse Estate Winery’s 2020 Amphora Collection Bacchus
Blue Grouse Estate Winery bottles with Eco Glass, which uses uses 25% less glass than a typical wine bottle. The 2020 Amphora Collection Bacchus is not only made with Eco Glass, but also uses grapes from the winery’s estate vineyard. Purchase this wine online at bluegrouse.ca.
Monte Creek Winery’s Haskap Fruit Wine
Monte Creek Winery’s Haskap Fruit Wine is made with Haskap berries that are grown at the winery. The Haskap berries were planted so that the winery’s Honeybees could feed on the Haskap flowers and pollinate the plants. The winery then produces Haskap fruit wine and all-natural honey so that nothing goes to waste. Purchase this wine online at montecreekwinery.com.
Okanagan Crush Pad’s 2018 Free Form Rosé
Okanagan Crush Pad’s Free Form wines are made with organic grapes, native yeasts, and are free from additives. The 2018 Free Form Rosé is made with certified organic Cabernet Franc grapes from Osoyoos, and the label uses eco-friendly stone paper. Purchase this wine online at okanagancrushpad.com.
Blasted Church’s 2020 Unorthodox Chardonnay
Blasted Church’s vineyard team has planted cover crops (which are plants that grow between the rows of the vines), to naturally balance the vineyard. Since the winery’s 2020 Unorthodox Chardonnay is made with estate grown Chardonnay Musque, all grapes in this wine came from the winery’s home vineyard, where the soil was enriched through the cover crop program. Purchase this wine online at blastedchurch.com.
Six BC Wines for Global Drink Wine Day
Grab a glass of BC Wine and join the celebration!
Wine holidays can seem to be a silly thing but because of them, the wine-drinking community is able to share tips and inspirations. Follow the hashtag #DrinkWineDay and you’ll learn a whole deal about specific varietals, wine-producing regions and the latest popular sips from all over the world.
Let’s join the tasting party with six delicious BC VQA wines:
1. Blue Grouse Quill Rosé
Blue Grouse’s Quill Rosé is a unanimous hit. A complex, full flavoured wine produced with Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island and Oliver, Okanagan Valley. A beautiful mix of strawberry and rhubarb on the nose and fresh and lively palate with a savoury touch on the finish. Think about pairing this rosé with pizza, chicken, pasta or enjoy by itself. Available at the winery, online and on selected fine wine stores across BC. $21.99
2. Singletree Siggy
Have you ever tried wines produced from Siegerrebe? Siggy is Singletree’s wine interpretation for this intriguing varietal that in German means ‘victory grape’. You will learn this is indeed a win. Siegerrebe (pronounced see-geh-Ray-buh) grows very well in climates like the Fraser Valley, just outside of Vancouver, and it turns into a wine that is rich and lush with soft acidity and floral aromatics. The delicious notes of peaches, pears and lychees make a great pairing for dishes like spicy curries or fish tacos. Available at the winery, online and in selected fine wine stores. $16.00
3. Haywire Switchback Vineyard Pinot Gris
A beautiful organic Pinot Gris that displays the best of Okanagan terroir. Haywire wines are produced with low intervention, attention to detail and represent some the best of natural wines being produced in British Columbia. But mostly importantly, it is delicious. This wine was naturally fermented and aged in concrete tanks for eight months and has a creamy mouthfeel with lively acidity and critic and herbal notes on the palate. Harvested in four separate batches in October, the estate-grown organic Pinot Gris was whole cluster pressed to concrete tanks where it was fermented using native yeasts. The wine went through full malolactic fermentation and was left on gross lees for 10 months. Available at the winery, online and in selected fine wine stores. $26.90
4. Coolshanagh Chardonnay
This chardonnay is as special as the place it comes from. Grown on a small property in Naramata, where a stellar team of specialists, including renowned terroir consultant Pedro Parra, pointed out that the area was full of potential to grow outstanding grapes. And he was right: vintage after vintage Coolshanagh has been gathering accolade after accolade. This is one of the most special chardonnays in British Columbia, with elegant aromas of straw, green apple and lychee with a rich and layered texture. Available online and in selected fine wine stores. $360 (case of 12)
5. TIME Cabernet Franc
A new release red from TIME Wines, home to a winemaking team that has been producing wines in the Okanagan Valley for more than 50 years. The tradition and proficiency shines through the glass as you sip this complex Cab Franc. Enjoy classic aromas of red berries and black cherry with hints of pepper and sage on palate as well as soft tannins with velvety texture. Open a bottle to enjoy with grilled meat or loaded burger. Available at the winery, online or where fine wines are sold. $34.99
6. Oliver Twist Cherry Baby Port-Style
Ready for dessert? Then you’ll fall in love with Cherry Baby. A dessert wine in Port Style that elevates the end of a special meal. This is a wine with luscious flavours of ripe dates, toasty pecans, dark chocolate and lingering black cherry, that turns into a fantastic pair for black forest cake when served slightly chilled at around 16C. Available at the winery and online. $29 (375ml)
We don’t usually need an excuse to open a bottle of wine, but on February 18th, we join our fellow wine lovers across the globe in celebration of Global Drink Wine Day with a glass in hand.
Try one of these wines and tag us @townhallbrands and let us know how you enjoy!
The Release of Pet Matt
Okanagan Crush Pad Releases Matt Landry’s “Pet Matt Landrusco”
9th Wine Campus Collaboration a Fun Play on Words
After teasing followers on social media with the sneak peeks of the label under development, the wait is over.
Okanagan Crush Pad announces its 9th Wine Campus project, this time, a collaboration with Matthew Landry.
The Ultimate Last-minute Thanksgiving Guide for Foodies and BC Wine Lovers
Ready or not, fall is here! That means it is time to dust off the winter coat, find the woolen socks that have moved to the back of the drawer, and prepare for Thanksgiving.
Celebrations are around the corner, so it’s time to figure out who’s doing the cooking, what is going to the served, and which wine will pair well with turkey! We’ve gathered the best Thanksgiving tips from wine writers, and food and lifestyle specialists to cure any seasonal concerns.
1. Turkey DOs and DONT’s by Angie Quaale
There’s no Thanksgiving without a well-prepared turkey and stuffing. Angie Quaale, seasonal food expert, owner of Well-Seasoned Gourmet Food Store and turkey lover will guide home cooks through the whole process of choosing a bird, preparing, stuffing, cooking and cleaning up the mess after. According to her, it is very important to learn how to prepare the bird correctly otherwise there can be a risk of cross contamination with other things in the kitchen.
2. Decorating a Thanksgiving Table without breaking the bank
This is the perfect opportunity to set a beautiful table for your family and loved ones, and it does not necessarily mean spending hundreds of dollars to do it! Natalie Langston, lifestyle specialist has great ideas that will make your table IG-worthy: fresh seasonal flowers, candles, a simple and elegant printed menu, and delicious and affordable Evolve Cellars wines.
With the turkey in the oven and the table set, it’s time to think about the beverages. Pairing a tender and juicy turkey or glazed ham with wine is not as hard as it seems. There are a number of varieties that offer a flavour profile that will match well with both. From rich whites to fruit-forward reds, BC wine has so many options to choose from, and buying local has never been easier. British Columbia is also producing amazing sparkling wines and Chardonnays that will hit the mark for this year’s celebration.
3. Thanksgiving Toast with BC Bubbly
To start the party, pop the cork of a tasty sparkling wine. If wine lovers are feeling extra confident, Tim Pawsey even gives tips on how to saber the bottle: chill it in ice and hit at the exact spot for the correct cut, but make sure to do it outside to minimize the mess. Among the great recommendations in his article, some highlights are the 2018 TIME Brut from Time Winery in Penticton, the 2017 Free Form Ancient Method and 2016 Haywire The Bub from Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland, the 2016 Merryfield from Singletree in the Fraser Valley and Naramata, and the 2014 Paula Sparkling from Blue Grouse Estate Winery on Vancouver Island.
4. Thinking about Chardonnay?
10 Chardonnays to pair with Thanksgiving Turkey
A few BC Wines to celebrate with for Thanksgiving
Perhaps the most common pairing for Thanksgiving turkey is white wine, most specifically Chardonnay. A herb crusted bird pairs well with the buttery taste of most oak aged Chards, and other more fruit-forward wines offer crisp flavours. Wineries in BC are offering high quality Chardonnay with distinct flavour profiles that can please every palate. In the two round ups above, Jennifer Schell and Karl Kliparchuk recommend a stellar line up for this weekend’s celebration. Some of the best bets include TIME Winery’s 2014 Chardonnay from Penticton and the 2016 Coolshanagh Chardonnay from Naramata.
We hope you give some of these suggestions a try, and tag @townhallbrands in social media. We’d love to see how your Thanksgiving is going!
We wish everyone a safe and joyful celebration.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Okanagan Summer Vineyard Events Continue
To do in the Okanagan this summer…
LIVE music every Thursday night at Okanagan Crush Pad !
Live at Crush Pad - Summer Music Series
Okanagan Crush Pad - Summerland, BC
16576 Fosbery Rd Summerland, BC
Every Thursday
from July 4 to August 29 – From 7-9 PM attend Live at Crush Pad and listen to a variety of live music performances while you drink locally-made wine at Summerland’s Okanagan Crush Pad. Tickets are just $25 per person. Gates open at 6:30 PM.
Live at Crush Pad features renowned artists including Trailerhawk, The Fugitives, Rob ‘n Walker, Tiger Moon and many many more!
Okanagan Crush Pad’s wine brands (Narrative, Free Form & Haywire) will be available for purchase. Guests can also buy food from on-site food trucks.
View the upcoming musical acts and purchase your tickets online HERE.
Find more information and RSVP to Live at Crush Pad on Facebook.
Lesley Brown Joins Okanagan Crush Pad Sales Team
The team at Okanagan Crush Pad Winery is pleased to announce that Lesley Brown has joined its team as vice president sales and marketing, to lead the company’s Vancouver based HQ Wine & Spirits division.
BC Wine & Restaurant Legend Wins 2019 Trailblazer Award
Christine Coletta, owner of Okanagan Crush Pad, has been honoured with the 2019 Trailblazer Award by the BC Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier during the Where magazine Where to Dine Awards celebration.
Must-Visit BC Wineries at the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2019
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is Feb 23 - March 3, 2019. Town Hall Brands is proud to do the PR for TIME Winery, as well as Okanagan Crush Pad, which has two tables: for its Free Form and Narrative labels. These are must-see BC wineries. Let our team know if you need more information or want to meet the people at these brands.
Go Haywire with Pink Bub this Valentine's Day
Fantastic BC Wines to try during Dine Out Vancouver 2019
Get out your stretchy pants, Vancouver, because the 17th annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival kicks off today!
Over the next 17 days (until Feb 3) Vancouverites will be able to try dishes and drinks from the best chefs and producers in the region and we have a handful of BC winery clients whose amazing wines are featured in menus around town.
Haywire Makes Decanter’s Most Exciting Wines of 2018 List
[Summerland, BC] Okanagan Crush Pad winery announces its Haywire Free Form White 2016 has made Decanter magazine’s Most Exciting Wines of 2018 list, placing in the top 10, with a score of 94 points.
In the January 2019 issue, Decanter’s experts from around the world named the top 50 bottles under £60 that impressed them most this year, with Oz Clarke calling the Haywire an “astonishing Canadian Sauvignon Blanc”.
This is the fist time a Canadian winery has made Decanter’s Top 10
The winery, while no stranger to UK wine circles, is beyond excited to have these kudos.
“We are so proud of our team, in particular the work of our chief winemaker Matt Dumayne, and growers Terry Waters and Cathy Banks,” notes winery owner Christine Coletta. “Our mission is to have Okanagan wines stand proudly next to a global selection of respected brands. This recognition shows us we are well on our way to demonstrating that our region can compete on the world stage.”
The focus at Okanagan Crush Pad is on authenticity and quality. Free Form wines are made using organic grapes, native yeast, extended skin contact, are free of commercial additives, have little to no sulfites added, and are unfiltered.
“We found the best way to achieve authenticity of place is to not manipulate or add anything to wine, including oak influence,” remarks Dumayne. “While you need to give up some modern conveniences, with a highly-skilled team with global viticulture and winemaking experience, you can get it right.”
Coletta credits consulting winemaker Alberto Antonini and terroir consultant Pedro Parra for their guiding influence. “Their vision for what the Okanagan is capable of has driven our work.”
While the 2016 Haywire Free Form White is now sold out, customers seeking to experience Free Form wines can visit okanagancrushpad.com.
Okanagan Crush Pad has quickly built a reputation as a premium producer and has received many awards and accolades since its launch in 2011 with chief winemaker Matt Dumayne at the helm. Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie created Okanagan Crush Pad as a purpose-built custom crush facility. Increasingly, the facility is used to craft the team’s own wines and now produces 45,000 cases annually.
From here, their own wines, Haywire, Narrative, and Free Form are made. Located in beautiful Summerland, BC, the winery overlooks Switchback Organic Vineyard, a site that is also home to chickens and ducks. Dumayne and his cellar team craft wines using concrete wine tanks, native yeast and minimal winemaking intervention. The wines reflect the region’s unique high mountain/northern desert setting noted for its intensely hot, short growing season with hallmark cool evenings and winters that bring a protective covering of snow.
Visitors to the tasting lounge, set in the heart of this state-of-the-art facility, get a rare glance into the art of winemaking. Watch the cellar team in action, discover concrete tanks, and learn how the team composes wines that are definitive expressions of their vineyards.
For more information visit: okanagancrushpad.com.
L-R: Okanagan Crush Pad chief winemaker Matt Dumayne, owners Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie Credit: Lionel Trudel