In the rugged and sun-drenched Similkameen Valley of British Columbia lies a winery as humble in size as it is bold in spirit. Little Farm Winery, nestled in the heart of Cawston, is a tiny but mighty producer of natural wine that captures the essence of its land with every bottle.
With just four acres under vine, Little Farm is the passion project of Rhys Pender, Master of Wine, and his partner Alishan Driediger. Since planting their Mulberry Tree Vineyard between 2009 and 2011, the duo has remained fiercely committed to minimal intervention winemaking — a philosophy that prioritizes authenticity, sustainability, and the unique voice of the vineyard over commercial polish.
A Philosophy Rooted in Terroir
At Little Farm, the winemaking approach is simple but uncompromising: let the vineyard speak. This means wild fermentations, unfined and unfiltered wines, gentle pressing, aging in old, neutral oak barrels, and a deep respect for the land’s natural rhythms.
“We want the wines to reflect the flavours of the vineyard,” says Pender. “Each vintage is a snapshot of the growing season, and our job is to preserve that story, not rewrite it.”
The winery’s flagship Pied de Cuve series epitomizes this ethos. Named after the traditional French technique of starting fermentation with native yeasts, these wines are made with as little manipulation as possible. The result? Wines that are vibrant, textural, and brimming with the minerality for which the Similkameen Valley is renowned.
Single-Vineyard Precision
Little Farm’s wines are crafted in small batches — often fewer than 100 cases per bottling — with fruit sourced from their estate Mulberry Tree Vineyard and the nearby Blind Creek Vineyard. The soils here are mineral-rich, and the arid climate of the valley brings out intense flavour concentration in the grapes.
Their production remains intentionally small: in 2013, total output was just 353 cases. Even at full capacity, Little Farm aims to produce no more than 800 to 1,000 cases annually. As Pender puts it, borrowing from Canadian storyteller Stuart McLean: “We might not be big, but we’re small.”
Not Your Everyday Wines
Little Farm’s lineup defies convention — these are not the wines for fans of oaky, buttery Chardonnays or fruit-forward blockbusters. Instead, they are precise, mineral-driven, and expressive of place.
Recently, I tasted two wines from their current release. When I first put my nose to the glass, my initial reaction was, ‘Wow, these are different.’ And different is exactly the point. These are wines for adventurous palates — for those who appreciate nuance, texture, and the untamed beauty of the natural world in a glass.
2021 Pied de Cuve Riesling $30.00
The calcium carbonate-rich soils are clearly evident in this wine. Golden yellow with medium intensity. An intriguing nose showing integrated aromas of wet stones, citrus, apricot pit, peach, blossoms, a touch of grapefruit zest, minerality with hints of jasmine and diesel. Good balance with tame acidity and a creamy texture. The palate opened up with time to breathe, and it reflected the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. A rather unique wine, not for everyone, but definitely one to try, especially for the Riesling freaks. Serve with white fish or a curry dish. 95 cases produced.
90+ points
2022 Siliceuse Chardonnay $27.00
Again from the Mulberry Tree Vineyard. Siliceuse refers to soil composed of quartz, feldspars, and amphiboles. The nose opens with delicate and integrated aromas of lemon balm, red apple, butterscotch, and melon, followed by hints of stone fruit, straw, almond, and cashew. Good balance. Subtle on the palate with flavours echoing the nose. Pair this interesting wine with salads with creamy dressings, pork, or pasta alfredo. 135 cases produced
90 Points
A Tasting Experience to Remember
The winery’s tasting room is housed within the winery itself, creating an intimate setting where visitors can connect deeply with the winemaking process. Tastings are led by knowledgeable and passionate team members like Kaitlyn, whose warm, personal approach is frequently mentioned in glowing customer reviews.
“We were greeted by the very friendly Kaitlyn, who gave us a tour of the vineyard and shared her wealth of knowledge about local viticulture and the surrounding geology,” one guest recalled. “She guided us through the delicious natural wine selection and gave us that personalized small winery experience.”
Others echo the same sentiment:
“If you’re looking for an intimate and educational wine tasting experience — and some great wines to go home with — Little Farm Winery is the place to go.”
“We were even directed to other local wineries. A song was sung, and we drove away still laughing.”
This personal touch, combined with the winery’s dedication to quality, has made Little Farm a beloved stop for those visiting the Okanagan and Similkameen wine regions.
A Commitment to Staying Small
From its modest beginnings in 2011 to its current production of under 1,000 cases a year, Little Farm has never wavered from its mission. Its focus remains firmly on producing small batches of honest, characterful wines that reflect the unique personality of each site.
“Our goal is to make interesting, characterful, natural-ish wines and look after our little farm,” says Pender. “That’s never going to change.”
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re a dedicated natural wine lover or just curious about something new, Little Farm Winery offers an experience that’s as authentic as the wines themselves.
Visit:
Little Farm Winery
2155 Newton Road
Cawston, BC V0X1C1
Canada
Explore Wines: littlefarmwinery.ca/collections/new-releases
(All photos, except as noted, – Sam Hauck)