Tucked behind the town of Summerland, I mean really tucked in behind the Summerland backroads and far away from Hwy 97, the beaches that skirt it and Okanagan Lake, is a 320-acre site that rises 600 to 680 metres above sea level (2,300 feet) that has pretty much well been left in its complete natural state. Garnet Valley Ranch is a certified organic site, home to cool-climate vineyards and wines, field crops, a lavender farm, a busy beehive, small winery and out look, which is in fact called The Outlook, that doubles as a visitor centre with vineyard tours. Oh, and did I mention the vineyard Air Camp outfitted with a luxurious Airstream Travel Trailer? The Airstream is fully loaded with air conditioning, fridge, stove, separate shower and washroom, living area, kitchen and nook that opens up into a double bed with a private bedroom at the front of the trailer and two very comfortable single beds.
So, this was The Cowboy (hubby and DD extraordinaire), and my first real outing after the C word and we hadn’t travelled very far from our Kamloops home for almost three years, so we jumped at the chance to stay in a quiet, peaceful place, centre to nature and, of course, wine. Not without incident or trauma as this gem of a place was not easy to get to with all the summer road work around Summerland, and there was the small incident of a landslide on the highway (the only road in and out of town) which reduced summertime and holiday traffic to a single lane snarl with many, many detours. These issues have since been resolved, but I do suggest you bring a GPS (which we didn’t) to find your way around. And once we were oriented, our stay was perfect thanks to the wonderful and accommodating crew at Haywire Winery
Garnet Valley Ranch and Wines
Super elegant and amazing! Made with tender loving care, the Garnet Valley Ranch portfolio offers a traditional method sparkling wine, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. At the beginning of the vineyard tour visitors are treated to a glass of bubbly.
Garnet Valley Traditional Method Sparkling 2016: No ordinary bubble, Garnet Valley Traditional Method Sparkling 2016 was made from this very vineyard. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the wine that has spent 72 months in bottle, this elegant sleeping beauty has awoken and is fresh, exuberant with a lively, persistent bead of bright red berry, stone fruit, lemon and toasty flavours matched with laser-like acidity and a forever length. Drinking beautifully now. $45.
Garnet Valley Ranch Chardonnay 2021: So smooth and elegant, the estate grown grapes for this vintage were whole cluster pressed and fermented in concrete tanks as well as aged in a combination of concrete and stainless-steel tanks. Concentrated and leesy with ripe tropical fruits, pink grapefruit, melon, citrus zest with a super long, rich and plushy mineral finish balanced with pitch-perfect acidity. A beautiful Chardonnay to drink now or hold to 2027. $34
Garnet Valley Ranch Pinot Noir 2021: Also produced from estate grown Pinot Noir grapes fermented in small concrete tanks that are 50% whole clustered with the balance of grapes softly basket pressed. The wine was aged in a mix of neutral oak barrels and small concrete tanks. An amazingly lush Pinot Noir with a mouthful of red berry, blueberry, pink florals, chocolate, subtle spice and earthy notes bright, silky and lingering on the mid-palate. Tannins are dusty. Truly delish! $40
Who to contact: by appointment only, Wednesday, to Saturday: mid-June to mid-September. Three private tours are available per day, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Group sizes are limited to six people. Club members and shareholders have first access to Air Camp. To book, please contact club concierge zoe@haywirewinery.com.
Sister Winery, Haywire Winery and Lounge
After 14 years under the umbrella of Okanagan Crush Pad, Haywire has taken the stage with a brand new look reflective of its terroir and the winery with a friendly and relaxed made-in-B.C. wine tasting style. Enjoy a charcuterie and cheese board in the modern tasting lounge or on the patio with views of Okanagan Lake and the Switchback Organic Vineyard. Choose a wine (or two) from one of the four labels (Free Form, Narrative, Yukon and Garnet Valley Ranch wines) the winery has to offer.
Several tours and tasting experiences are available at the winery and they are open from 11 am to 5 pm every day. They also offer wine by the glass, cocktails and bites. Monday thru Thursday, the winery offers a “Happy Days” menu with several tapas style bites and wines for $5. Full menu here. Haywire Winery is located at 16576 Fosbery Rd in Summerland. Email info@haywirewinery.com or call them at (250) 494-4445 for more details.
Solvero Vineyard and Winery
Solvero Wines is the new kid on the Garnet Valley Block, although the winery has been 10 years in the making. Alison Moyes is the Winemaker & General Manager for Solvero and previously worked with Stoneboat Vineyards and Liquidity Wines.
Aside from being at some the of highest elevations in the valley, the soils and terroir of this 30-acre property with 16 acres planted in vines; 10 acres in Pinot Noir, one acre in Gamay with the balance in high density plantings of Chardonnay and are perfectly suited for fragrant and elegant Pinot Noirs (several different clones have been planted: Pommard, 777, 667, 828) and expressive and elegant Chardonnays. The first wines to be released will be small lots of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir rosé and Pinot Gris.
I was able to do a tasting on the wines and here are some of my notes:
Chardonnay (2021) – Light lemon in the glass, fragrant with medium-intensity aromas of cinnamon and ripe apple, lemon zest and lemon meringue, dry, medium-bodied, fresh, crisp, buttery and spicy on the palate, showing medium-plus acidity and a medium-plus length finish. Will cellar nicely for three-plus years. $30
Pinot Noir (2019) – Bright ruby in the glass, fragrant with medium-intensity aromas of sweet dried tobacco leaf, cherry fruit leather, pink rose petals, cold Ceylon tea, a touch of spice; dry, medium-bodied with balanced medium acidity, textured with velvety medium-plus tannins, finishing elegant and long on the palate. $35
Pinot Noir Rosé (2022) – The Pinot Noir grapes were specifically grown for making rosé. A pretty Provence pink in the glass, the wine is dry, medium-bodied and fragrant with ripe strawberries, red berry fruit and fine herbs with a citrusy zip. A pretty, Provence-style and beautifully balanced rosé with a lush and elegant mouthfeel. $25
Pinot Gris (2021) – Fragrant with ripe, honeyed pear, juicy white-fleshed stone fruit and a kiss of white pepper spice, citrus zest, barely dry, medium-bodied and balanced with medium acidity, finishing fresh and lingering on a mineral note. Grapes were whole cluster pressed, cool fermented in 50% neutral French oak barrels and 50% in stainless-steel tank. $25
Currently, the winery is open from 11 am to 4 pm Sunday to Tuesday. Reservations for tastings are encouraged but the winery will accommodate visitors without reservations when possible. You can book your tasting through the Solvero Winery website.
Next Up… Galivanting around Summerland’s Giant Head
cultureofwine 
Garnet vineyard tour sounds good. I hope to get out that way this Summer ( which if is passing soooo quickly)
Looks like you and George enjoyed your time at Garnet & Haywire vineyards.
Your post was very informative.
Cheers, Bonnie