These are the first wines that I’ve tasted from BC’s Garnet Valley Ranch, made by Okanagan Crush Pad, and I am greatly impressed with the quality. Garnet Valley Ranch is a certified organic site, home to vineyards, field crops, a lavender farm, a bustling beehive and a small winery and The Outlook visitor center. The area is planted primarily with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes; I am tasting their 2022 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. In addition to using organic grapes, the wines are also vegan-friendly. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Garnet Valley Ranch Chardonnay 2022 (BC ~$36.99)
From the winery, “Estate-grown chardonnay grapes were whole cluster pressed and fermented in concrete tanks. The wine was aged in a combination of concrete and stainless steel.”
Appearance: A clear, bright, medium-plus intensity straw colour with a hint of green in the glass.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas of toast and pineapple along with a hint of vanilla. Although this wine is unoaked, I guess that the toasty component comes from the grape stems. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry with medium-minus body, smooth and soft, almost mouth-filling. Deep, ripe pineapple, plus pear and toast flavours on the palate. Little change after decanting. I think I pick up some minerality on the mid-palate to the finish. Medium-plus acidity keeps the wine fresh.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with ripe pineapple and long with toast and some pepperiness. Lingering flavours. No change to the finish after decanting.
A lighter-bodied Chardonnay with nice pineapple and toasty aromas and flavours.
Rating: 
This Chardonnay has a clear, bright medium-plus intensity straw colour with a hint of green. Medium-intensity aromas of toast and pineapple along with a hint of vanilla. It is dry with smooth, soft mouthfeel. Ripe pineapple, plus pear and toasty notes on the palate. Medium-plus length.
Garnet Valley Ranch Pinot Noir 2022 (BC ~$44.99)
From the winery, “Estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes were fermented in small concrete tanks with 50% whole cluster inclusion, gently basket pressed and aged in a combination of neutral barriques and small homemade concrete tanks.”
Appearance: A deep, clear garnet colour. Consistent colour from rim to core. About 80% opaque.
Nose: It has pretty, medium-intensity aromas of floral and plum, with touches of red apple skin, cinnamon and oak. The aromas are unchanged after decanting.
Palate: It is dry, but has pretty, fruity flavours showing red fruit and candied red fruit, along with floral and hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and anise spices. Medium-plus body, smooth and round. Medium tannins that get stronger toward the finish. No changes on the palate after decanting.
Finish: A long length with medium-plus drying tannins. Sweet red fruits, some candied cherries, cinnamon and floral plus a touch of pepperiness. No changes to the finish after decanting.
No need to decant this wonderful Pinot Noir. I enjoy the variety of aromas and flavours. The wine is nicely smooth but has structure. I think this wine can easily age for 4-5 years.
Rating: – 
This Pinot Noir has a deep, clear garnet colour. Pretty aromas of floral and plum, with touches of red apple skin, cinnamon and oak. A dry wine with red fruit and candied red fruit, along with floral and hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and anise spices. Medium-plus body, smooth and round. Medium tannins give structure and ageability to the wine. A long length.
Congratulations to Chief Winemaker, Matt Dumayne for these two wonderful wines.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
The 2021 vintages of both these wines are currently available through the Okanagan Crush Pad website. This sneak peek of the 2022 vintage I assume will be out shortly. Here is the URL to the Okanagan Crush Pad website for their Garnet Valley Ranch wines.
