Although the main purpose of my visit to the Okanagan was to visit Naramata Bench wineries, I made a side trip to Okanagan Falls. Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls was the first winery I visited on my Fall trip to the Okanagan. I love Pinot Noir and Meyer Family is one of my favourite Pinot producers. I sat outside on the patio, surrounded by their vineyards, watched by a young black bear up the hill, and sampled a plate of cheeses, charcuterie, crackers, and more with my wines. Here are my tasting notes.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Meyer Family Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2022 (BC $19.22) – These are some of their oldest vines, planted 30 years ago. This wine has a medium-minus bright lemon colour. Nice aromas of spices, roses and lychees. This wine is dry, medium-minus body, soft and round. Medium acidity and light pepperiness. Lychee and roses on the palate. I tried this wine with truffled popcorn. The earthiness of the truffles matched with the lychee and pepperiness in the wine.
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2022 (BC $21.83) – 80% of this wine is fermented in stainless steel with the remaining 20% in neutral oak barrels. This wine has a lighter lemon colour. Light apple and butterscotch aromas. Dry, medium-minus body with a lean, mineral, higher acidity mouthfeel. Crisp apple and hints of butterscotch and lemon on the finish. I tried this wine with marmalade on a crisp. The orange skin in the marmalade was complementary to the flavours in the wine.
Meyer Family Vineyards Old Main Road Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (BC $32.26) – The vines at this time are 26 years old. This wine was aged in French oak barrels (25% new) for 11 months. It has a medium intensity, clear lemon colour. Medium-intensity toast and butterscotch flavours plus a touch of apples. This wine is dry, with medium to medium-plus body. A lean mouthfeel with some tart acidity. Tropical fruit and butterscotch flavours. Buttery texture. A longer lingering length. Food pairing: Orange peel in the marmalade and the butteriness and saltiness of olives paired nicely with this wine.
Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Chardonnay 2022 (BC $32.26) – The wine aged for 11 months in 100% French oak barrels (22% new). This wine has a lighter lemon colour. Light aromas of toast and vanilla. Dry, medium-minus body with a lightly round mouthfeel. Higher acidity. Sweet spices, crisp apple, and touches of oak and pepperiness toward the finish. Medium length. Food pairing: The buttery texture of the olives, the creaminess of brie cheese, and the orange peel in the marmalade all made complementary pairings with this wine.
Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Pinot Noir 2022 (BC $37.48) – This is their signature Pinot Noir wine. Aged in French oak barrels for 11 months (25% new). This wine has a lighter, clear, consistent to the core, garnet colour. A light flinty nose. Dry, medium body with a soft mouthfeel. Quite fruity with flavours of red fruits, red cherries, and sweet spices plus touches of floral and candied red fruit. Peppery toward the finish. Medium length. I enjoyed this wine with a salty tapenade that worked with the fruit and the acidity in the wine.
Meyer Family Vineyards Old Block Pinot Noir 2022 (BC $47.91) – This wine is made with their oldest Pinot Noir vines of 30 years. The wine was aged in French oak barrels (40% new) for 11 months. This wine has a medium-intensity clear garnet colour. Medium-intensity earthy and red cherry aromas. This wine is dry, medium body with a lean mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Tart red fruit, some pepperiness and a touch of floral flavours. Intense flavours. Medium length. Paired nicely with a slice of salami.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines through the Meyer Family Vineyards website. The Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Chardonnay 2022 is available at BC Liquor stores and at select Save on Foods stores. A wide range of MFV wines are available through Everything Wine stores.