“In this series we bring you our #FavouriteThings Holiday Gift Suggestions which we personally recommend”
Have we got a treat for you! This lineup of great wines from Meyer Family Vineyards are pulling out all the stops, or maybe I should say “corks”. All of these wines are ideal for holiday gift giving and imbibing. You are going to love this selection of wines hand picked by the team at Meyer.
If you’re ready to party on so is the winery with this great selection including the Library 1.5L Magnum. But don’t just take my word for it, Wine Club Coordinator Julia tells me “The 2018 McLean Creek Road Chardonnay Library 1.5L magnum is a great party starter, cellared to perfection!”
“crafting single vineyard wines of excellence”
2022 McLean Creek Rd Pinot Noir
McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC
THE VINTAGE
The 2022 vintage was a classic Okanagan growing season with a typical Spring budburst in early May and beautiful weather into June. We had beautiful flowering weather from late June into July which resulted in good yields across the valley. July and August were consistent with previous years although slightly cooler slowing the vines growth cycle. Leading up to harvest, the crop level was significantly higher compared to past vintages and needed more time to ripen. The weather was perfect for ripening with warm days and cool nights providing a lengthy hang time for our Pinot Noir blocks to develop flavours and physiological ripeness. The white varieties were harvested later than normal but the fruit was able to develop a great balance of sugars to acid and superb flavours.
Hand harvested:Oct 25th
Sugar Level: Brix 24, pH: 3.46 , TA: 8.2 g/L
THE TERROIR
Our family owned “McLean Creek Road Vineyard” is within the Okanagan Falls sub-geographical indication (sub-Gi) which was designated in 2018 and recognized as being geologically unique in the production of wine grapes. It has a predominantly steep southerly aspect with the soil comprised of alluvial and glacial deposits making up a mix of gravel and sandy loams. The “Old Block” Pinot Noir as it is affectionately called, is one of the original vineyard plantings in 1994 and is part of the largest block of Pinot Noir at McLean Creek Road. It has a steep southerly aspect to capture the full range of the sun, is roughly one acre in size, and the clone is unknown. We practice sustainable farming principles.
WINEMAKING
At the winery the fruit was gently de-stemmed via gravity into small open top fermenters and allowed to cold soak. After cold soaking, an indigenous fermentation began, with temperature peaking at 30 degrees Celsius. Gentle hand plunging of the must was done throughout. After a post-maceration period the wine was transferred to 100% French oak barrels (40%new) where it remained for 11 months. A naturalmalolactic fermentation occurred in late spring. In keeping with our philosophy to maintain as much as possible a hands-off approach in the cellar to allow the true expression ofterroir,this wine is unfined and unfiltered.
Parameters at Bottling
Alcohol: 13.5%, pH: 3.66, TA: 6.4 g/L
Production: 517 cases
Cellaring potential: 10-14 years
2022 Old Main Rd Chardonnay
Old Main Road Vineyard, Naramata, BC
THE VINTAGE
The 2022 vintage was a classic Okanagan growing season with a typical Spring budburst in early May and beautiful weather into June. We had beautiful flowering weather from late June into July which resulted in good yields across the valley. July and August were consistent with previous years although slightly cooler slowing the vines growth cycle. Leading up to harvest, the crop level was significantly higher compared to past vintages and needed more time to ripen. The weather was perfect for ripening with warm days and cool nights providing a lengthy hang time for our Pinot Noir blocks to develop flavours and physiological ripeness. The white varieties were harvested later than normal but the fruit was able to develop a great balance of sugars to acid and superb flavours.
Hand harvested on:Oct 12th
Sugar Level: Brix 22.5, pH: 3.26, TA: 9.0 g/L
THE TERROIR
Our estate-operated “Old Main Road Vineyard” is located on a terrace on the famedNaramata Bench. The vineyard is within the sub-geographical indication (sub-Gi) which was designated in 2019 and recognized as being geologically unique in the production of wine grapes. It was originally planted in 1996 with 100% Chardonnay vines and has a gentle northerly aspect with the soil comprised of alluvial deposits making up a silt loam overlaying a clay loam. The northerly aspects of the vineyard cause the vines to slowly ripen the fruit producing a greater spectrum of flavor while still retaining a good level of acidity and minerality.
WINEMAKING
At the winery the fruit was fed directly into the press with an ensuing long gentle pressing employed. Only the finest, purest juice from the early stages of the pressing was used for this wine with the more astringent so called “hard press” kept separate. A long cool fermentation began in stainless steel vessels where it remained for most of the ferment. The must was then transferred to 100% French oak (25% new) to complete fermentation. The wine was left “sur lie” for 11 months without battonage. A natural malolactic fermentation occurred in late spring. In keeping with our philosophy to maintain as much as possible a hands-off approach in the cellar to allow the true expression of the terroir this wine is unfined and coarsely filtered.
Parameters at Bottling
Alcohol: 13.5%, pH: 3.46, TA: 6.7 g/L
Production: 766 cases
Cellaring potential: 7-10 years
2022 McLean Creek Rd Chardonnay
McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC
THE VINTAGE
The 2022 vintage was a classic Okanagan growing season with a typical Spring budburst in early May and beautiful weather into June. We had beautiful flowering weather from late June into July which resulted in good yields across the valley. July and August were consistent with previous years although slightly cooler slowing the vines growth cycle. Leading up to harvest, the crop level was significantly higher compared to past vintages and needed more time to ripen. The weather was perfect for ripening with warm days and cool nights providing a lengthy hang time for our Pinot Noir blocks to develop flavours and physiological ripeness. The white varieties were harvested later than normal but the fruit was able to develop a great balance of sugars to acid and superb flavours.
Hand harvested on: Sept 24th and Oct. 2nd
Sugar Level: 22-23, pH: 3.19-3.31, TA: 8.7-9.2 g/L
THE TERROIR
Ourfamily owned “McLean Creek Road Vineyard” was originally planted in 1994. The vineyard is within the Okanagan Falls sub-geographical indication (sub-Gi) which was designated in 2018 and recognized as being geologically unique in the production of wine grapes. It has a predominantly steep southerly aspect with the soil comprised of alluvial and glacial deposits making up a mix of gravel and sandy loams. The Chardonnay is planted in two separate blocks, one on the far east side of the south facing slope and the other on the west end of the slope. The variation of east and west leads to differences in flavour development and in turn more complexity in the finished wine.We practice sustainable farming principles.
WINEMAKING
At the winery the fruit was fed directly into the press with an ensuing long gentle pressing employed. Only the finest, purest juice from the early stages of the pressing was used for this wine with the more astringent so called “hard press” kept separate. A long cool fermentation began in stainless steel vessels, employing indigenous and cultured yeast where it remained for most of the ferment. The must was then transferred to 100% French oak (22% new) to complete fermentation. The wine was left “sur lie” for 11 months without battonage. A natural malolactic fermentation occurred in late spring. In keeping with our philosophy to maintain as much as possible a hands-off approach in the cellar to allow the true expression of the terroir this wine is unfined and coarsely filtered.
2018 McLean Creak Road Chardonnay Library 1.5 L Magnum
McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC
THE VINTAGE
2018 was another tough vintage; like last year budburst occurred in late April to early May and then very quickly summer arrived with hot and dry conditions in mid-June which led to many forest fires throughout the province with several here in theOkanagan. Again, for most of the summer we had a layer of smoke in the sky which blocked out some of the sunlight reducing daytime temperatures which were ideal temperatures for development of the vines, (27-28 degrees Celsius on some days). There was next to no rainfall throughout the summer. Temperatures cooled late summer going into fall but unlike last year the forest fire smoke did not fade early September but remained prevalent till mid-October. September which is normally our saving grace saw poor weather which slowed ripening throughout September into October. The white varieties which we pick earlier than most was harvested not toofar off normal picking dates,but the pinot noir had to hang much longer than normal to achieve our harvest flavor and tannin goals.
Hand harvested on: Sept 14
th and27th
Sugar Level: 22.5-23.5Brix, pH: 3.14-3.26, TA: 7.4-8.2 g/L
THE TERROIR
Originally planted in 1994, our family owned “McLean Creek Road Vineyard” islocated inOkanagan Falls, BC. The vineyard has a predominantly steep southerly aspect with the soil comprised of alluvial and glacial deposits making up a mix of gravel and sandy loams. The Chardonnay is planted in two separate blocks, one on the far east side of the south facing slope and the other on the west end of the slope. The variation of east and west leads to differences in flavour development and in turn more complexity in the finished wine.Although we are not certified organic, we practice organic/sustainable farming principles.
WINEMAKING
At the winery the fruit was fed directly into the press with an ensuing long gentle pressing employed. Only the finest, purest juice from the early stages of the pressing was used for this wine with the more astringent so called “hard press” kept separate. A long cool fermentation began in stainless steel vessels, employing indigenous and cultured yeast where it remained for most ofthe ferment. The must was then transferred to 100% French oak (22% new) to complete fermentation. The wine was left “sur lees” for 11 months without battonage. A natural malolactic fermentation occurred in late spring. In keeping with our philosophy to maintain as much as possible a hands-off approach in the cellar to allow the true expression of the terroir this wine is unfined and unfiltered.
2022 Old Block Pinot Noir
McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC
THE VINTAGE
2018 was another tough vintage; like last year budburst occurred in late April to early May and then very quickly summer arrived with hot and dry conditions in mid-June which led to many forest fires throughout the province with several here in theOkanagan. Again, for most of the summer we had a layer of smoke in the sky which blocked out some of the sunlight reducing daytime temperatures which were ideal temperatures for development of the vines, (27-28 degrees Celsius on some days). There was next to no rainfall throughout the summer. Temperatures cooled late summer going into fall but unlike last year the forest fire smoke did not fade early September but remained prevalent till mid-October. September which is normally our saving grace saw poor weather which slowed ripening throughout September into October. The white varieties which we pick earlier than most was harvested not toofar off normal picking dates,but the pinot noir had to hang much longer than normal to achieve our harvest flavour and tannin goals.
Hand harvested on: Sept 14
th and27th
Sugar Level: 22.5-23.5Brix, pH: 3.14-3.26, TA: 7.4-8.2 g/L
THE TERROIR
Originally planted in 1994, our family owned “McLean Creek Road Vineyard” islocated inOkanagan Falls, BC. The vineyard has a predominantly steep southerly aspect with the soil comprised of alluvial and glacial deposits making up a mix of gravel and sandy loams. The Chardonnay is planted in two separate blocks, one on the far east side of the south facing slope and the other on the west end of the slope. The variation of east and west leads to differences in flavour development and in turn more complexity in the finished wine.Although we are not certified organic, we practice organic/sustainable farming principles.
WINEMAKING
At the winery the fruit was fed directly into the press with an ensuing long gentle pressing employed. Only the finest, purest juice from the early stages of the pressing was used for this wine with the more astringent so called “hard press” kept separate. A long cool fermentation began in stainless steel vessels, employing indigenous and cultured yeast where it remained for most ofthe ferment. The must was then transferred to 100% French oak (22% new) to complete fermentation. The wine was left “sur lees” for 11 months without battonage. A natural malolactic fermentation occurred in late spring. In keeping with our philosophy to maintain as much as possible a hands-off approach in the cellar to allow the true expression of the terroir this wine is unfined and unfiltered.
2022 Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir
Naramata, Osoyoos, Kaleden & Okanagan Falls
THE VINTAGE
The 2022 vintage was a classic Okanagan growing season with a typical Spring budburst in early May and beautiful weather into June. We had beautiful flowering weather from late June into July which resulted in good yields across the valley. July and August were consistent with previous years although slightly cooler slowing the vines growth cycle. Leading up to harvest, the crop level was significantly higher compared to past vintages and needed more time to ripen. The weather was perfect for ripening with warm days and cool nights providing a lengthy hang time for our Pinot Noir blocks to develop flavours and physiological ripeness. The white varieties were harvested later than normal but the fruit was able to develop a great balance of sugars to acid and superb flavours.
Hand harvestedOct 9th through toNov 2nd
Sugar Level: 23-25 Brix, pH: 3.28-3.40, TA: 7-9.2 g/L
THE TERROIR
The fruit is sourced from four distinctive vineyards in the Okanagan Valley: Fat Coyote in Naramata, Anarchist Mountain Vineyard in Osoyoos, Lakehill Road Vineyard in Kaleden and McLean Creek Road Vineyard in Okanagan Falls. The combination of these different vineyards each having their own unique aspect, elevation and soils has produced a well-rounded Pinot Noir that showcases the Okanagan as a whole.
WINEMAKING
At the winery the fruit was gently de-stemmed via gravity into small open top fermenters and allowed to cold soak. After cold soaking, amix of inoculated and indigenous ferments began lasting 18-28 days peaking at 30-33C; gentle hand plunging of the must was done throughout. After a post maceration period the wine was gently pressed and then spent sixmonths in 100% older seasoned French oak barrels and Puncheons.
Meyer Family Vineyards
Meyer Family Vineyards has been crafting premium wines in the Okanagan Valley since 2006 and in 2010 we opened our tasting room in Okanagan Falls, British Columbia. Our team is built of passionate, dedicated wine lovers who have discovered the stunning views and charm of the Okanagan and everything it has to offer.
Our philosophy is to produce the finest quality wines in the traditions of Burgundy, we believe the wines are not made but grown. Each wine reflects the single vineyard of its origin, the soil, the meso-climate, the aspect and the people that hand tend the vines. Hand-harvested and hand-crafted, with great attention to detail and minimal winemaking intervention we take pride in each bottle of wine. Meyer Family Vineyards wines are produced from two main vineyards, the 1.62-hectare “Old Main Road” vineyard on the Naramata Bench and the 6.9-hectare “McLean Creek Road” vineyard in Okanagan Falls. We also work with passionate quality-minded growers in Kaleden and the East Kelowna area to round out our portfolio of terroir-driven wines.
Winemaker Chris Carson brings a wealth of global experience to Meyer Family Vineyards. His philosophy is to care for the grape on the vine and maintain as much as possible a hands-off approach in the cellar to allow the true expression of the terroir.
Wine notes, bottle shots and feature image courtesy of the winery. Magnum images photo credit: Noelle Starzinski. I will receive complimentary wine to facilitate this feature.
