Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Wishing you happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Horse.
Haywire Winery marks the upcoming 2026 Lunar New Year with the release of its latest Lunar Red, continuing a tradition that began with the winery’s first Lunar New Year bottling in 2014. Created in collaboration with Vancouver’s Foo Hung Curios, this limited-edition wine celebrates the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse and the cultural traditions that surround it.
Crafted in Summerland, BC, Lunar Red is released specifically to honour Lunar New Year and is designed to pair seamlessly with the bold, layered flavours of Asian cuisine. Rich, expressive, and approachable, it has become a much-anticipated annual release.
Haywire was established in 2009, beginning as a virtual winery with fruit from Switchback Organic Vineyard. Since then, it has grown into a destination winery and anchor attraction in Summerland, unveiling a new label and a relaxed visitor lounge in spring 2023. The winery focuses on expressing the Okanagan’s exceptional terroir through a “less is more” philosophy, using gentle wine-making techniques and concrete tanks to preserve purity and balance.
Year of the Fire Horse
The Lunar Year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17, 2026. Traditionally, Fire Horse years are associated with speed, ambition, and momentum. It’s considered a high-energy period that favours movement—career advancement, travel, leadership, and decisive action.
Financially, it’s often viewed as a strong year for investment and growth, particularly for entrepreneurs and those in management roles. Social energy also runs high, encouraging new connections and deeper relationships. Some astrologers point to heightened romance and favourable conditions for commitment during this cycle.
That intensity comes with a note of caution. Fire Horse years can push people toward impatience or impulsive decisions if energy isn’t managed carefully. Health and balance may require extra attention, especially as the pace of life accelerates. The key is to harness the drive of the year while staying focused and deliberate.
2022 Lunar Red
Haywire
Summerland, BC
$28.88
This Merlot-dominant limited release shows a garnet hue with a subtle brick edge and medium-plus intensity. The nose is inviting, offering ripe cherry and dark plum alongside hints of cola, fruitcake spice, and cedar. Very good balance. The palate mirrors the aromatics with well-integrated flavours, good balance, and a lingering, warm medium-plus finish.
One of Haywire’s strongest Lunar Red releases to date, it’s particularly well suited to a wide range of Asian dishes—ginger beef, Peking duck, dumplings, glazed ribs, or beef and broccoli. Look for it soon and grab some before it’s gone.
92+ points
The best part? A portion of proceeds from every bottle supports the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, Canada’s award-winning cultural hub dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Vancouver’s Chinatown. Enjoying a glass of Lunar Red means celebrating the New Year while giving back to the community it honours.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)