Garnet Valley Ranch is a rare, unspoiled site that has been carefully and thoughtfully designed to integrate with the wild natural landscape. The ranch is located in Summerland, BC, on a 320 acre site that was purchased by Okanagan Crush Pad Winery at the urging of Chilean terroir consultant Pedro Parra.
Vineyard blocks are located between 600 - 680 meters above sea level, making this the highest elevated vineyard site in the Okanagan Valley. At this altitude, the soils are more varied, the season is shorter and more intense, and the temperatures cooler. Strong phenolic ripeness at lower sugar levels results in finished wines with lower alcohol levels, excellent acidity, and balance.
Parra designed fifteen unique vineyard blocks, employing extensive research to determine viticulture strategies. The first blocks were planted in 2014 and as of 2023 the site has 55 acres of vines, planted in volcanic and glacial matter that varies from block to block. Each block is fenced separately, allowing wildlife to roam and visit a restored pond which has brought songbirds and other small animals back to the site. The entire property is certified organic and is also home to a lavender farm and eight acres of organic vegetables.
The first half of the 2022 vintage was amongst the coolest on record. Then, a dramatic switch in the summer resulted in it being amongst one of the warmest year’s BC has experienced. 2022 went from doom-and-gloom to being one of the best vintages in recent decades all thanks to an amazingly long, warm fall.
Garnet Valley Ranch’s 2022 Pinot Noir was fermented in small concrete tanks with 75% whole cluster inclusion, gently basket pressed and aged in a combination of French hogsheads and concrete eggs.
Tasting Note
Bright, perfumed plum and raspberry are framed by taut, fine-grained tannins. Layers of dark red berries and mocha slide into a fragrant wild-herb finish.
Food Pairing
Mushrooms always pair with Pinot but we thought we’d give you one more option: french lentils with roasted carrots, walnuts and herbs. Since french lentils don’t turn to mush when you cook them, they have enough texture to be served alongside this wine. They’re earthy without being too heavy. The roasted carrots add a touch of sweetness, the walnuts a faint bitterness while the herbs liven everything up.