STORM HAVEN
A Fifteen-Year Exploration of Place
James Suckling’s First Visit to British Columbia
In May 2026, Storm Haven Vineyard, the home property of Synchromesh Wines, became one of a select group of British Columbia vineyards to be evaluated during internationally renowned wine critic James Suckling’s first visit to a region whose reputation has grown steadily over the past three decades.
Rather than presenting only current releases, we chose to tell the story of place through vertical tastings of Riesling from individual vineyard blocks on the Storm Haven property. The objective was to demonstrate that exceptional vineyards reveal themselves not through a single outstanding vintage, but through remarkable consistency across time.
For many of the world’s most respected vineyards, greatness is measured not by a single exceptional wine but by the ability to express a consistent identity across vintages. This vertical tasting offered an opportunity to assess whether Storm Haven Vineyard demonstrates that same continuity of character over time.
Across wines spanning more than fifteen years, James and Editor Jim Gordon repeatedly returned to the same themes: vibrant natural acidity, mineral precision, purity of fruit, remarkable balance and extraordinary longevity. These reviews represent more than individual accolades. Taken together, they provide strong independent testimony that Storm Haven Vineyard has developed a distinctive and enduring vineyard identity. This consistency of site expression has been one of the defining objectives of our winery business since our early vintages.
Executive Summary
Storm Haven Vineyard consistently received scores ranging from 93–96 points across both mature and current vintages. Through these vintages, the reviews consistently praise freshness, vibrant acidity, mineral precision, balance and longevity. Full reviews are included at the end of this document.
Key Themes
Remarkable consistency across fifteen years of vintages.
Exceptional natural acidity regardless of residual sugar.
Recurring descriptors of flint, mineral, citrus, peach and petrol.
Storm Haven demonstrates a distinctive and recognizable vineyard
signature.
Score Summary
96 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Gibson Block 3 Riesling 2020
96 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Gibson Block 3 Riesling 2023
96 points: Synchromesh Late Harvest Riesling 2016 (Jim Gordon)
95 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Riesling 2012
95 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Riesling 2016
95 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Riesling 2017
95 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Gold Digger Riesling 2023
94 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Gibson Block 3 Riesling 2022
94 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Block 3 Riesling 2025
94 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Gold Digger Riesling 2022
94 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Gold Digger Riesling 2025
94 points: Long’s View Vineyard Riesling 2025
94 points: Bob Hancock Vineyard Riesling 2016
94 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Gibson Block 2015
93 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Dry 2025
93 points: Storm Haven Vineyard Dry 2022
Conclusion
Great vineyards do not produce identical wines; they produce recognizable wines. Across independent reviews spanning fifteen years, Storm Haven Vineyard consistently displays the same hallmarks of natural acidity, mineral precision and balance. These reviews provide compelling evidence not only of the quality of individual wines, but also of Storm Haven Vineyard’s evolution into a site with a distinctive and consistent identity. They also contribute to the growing body of international recognition for the Okanagan Valley as a fine wine region.
Wines Available for Purchase
2025 Storm Haven Gold Digger Riesling
94 points
“Crisp and delicious, offering charming apple flavors with mild sweetness and vivid acidity. Floral aromas lead to peach, golden apple and pistachio notes. Drink now or hold.” – James Suckling
2025 Storm Haven Block 3 Riesling
94 points
“A young, fruity, super well-balanced wine, light in body and full in flavors that should continue to develop with time. Lemon and lime zest, tangy peach, apricot and honeysuckle notes. Drink now or hold.” – James Suckling
2025 Storm Haven Dry Riesling
93 points
“Fresh, delicate, light-bodied and charming. A pretty, crisp, floral and peachy wine with subtle mineral and tangerine notes. Low alcohol makes it easy to drink without being heavy. Drink now.” – James Suckling
2025 Long’s View Vineyard Riesling
94 points
“Honeydew melon, jasmine, flint and granite on the nose with a medium body, medium-sweet palate and bright crisp finish. Drink or hold.” – James Suckling
Full Reviews
The following reviews are grouped by vineyard. Storm Haven Vineyard reviews appear first, followed by reviews from Long’s View Vineyard and Bob Hancock Vineyard.
2025 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Dry – 93
Fresh, delicate, light-bodied and charming. A pretty, crisp, floral and peachy wine with subtle mineral and tangerine notes. Low alcohol makes it easy to drink without being heavy. Drink now.
2025 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Block 3 – 94
A young, fruity, super well-balanced wine, light in body and full in flavors that should continue to develop with time. Lemon and lime zest, tangy peach, apricot and honeysuckle notes. Drink now or hold.
2025 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Gold Digger Block – 94
Crisp and delicious, offering charming apple flavors with mild sweetness and vivid acidity. Floral aromas lead to peach, golden apple and pistachio notes. Drink now or hold.
2023 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Gibson-Block 3 – 96
A sweet and balanced riesling with wonderful acidity giving clarity and brilliance. Steely citrus intensity in the finish. Drink or hold.
2023 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Gold Digger Block – 95
Lemon blossom, melon and green apple with undertones of honeysuckle, flint and dried fruit. Drink or hold.
2022 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Dry – 93
Aromas of lovely dense fruit, gravel, mangoes and petrol. Medium-bodied with a dry and creamy texture. Drink now.
2022 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Gibson-Block 3 – 94
Generous, rich and ripe tasting with peach, apple, mineral and mango. Lightly sweet and well balanced by crisp acidity. Drink now or hold.
2022 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Gold Digger Block – 94
Pretty floral, peach and mineral aromas with green apples, lemon blossoms, white peaches and honey. Delicious and well balanced.
2020 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Gibson- Block 3 – 96
Edgy and lively, with melon, citrus and flint. 74 g/L residual sugar yet tastes almost dry. Aging beautifully.
2017 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Black Label – 95
Smoke, mineral and grapefruit rind aromas lead to spiced apple, peach and mango. Great acidity balances ripeness. Drink now or hold.
2016 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Black Label – 95
Petrol, flint and dried green mangoes. Creamy finish. Crisp and layered.
2015 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Gibson Block – 94
Sweet almonds, green tobacco and dried apples with honey and layered richness.
2012 Synchromesh Storm Haven Vineyard Black Label – 95
Energetic acidity with dried lemons, limes and flint. Dense yet agile, tasting dry despite 32 g/L residual sugar.
Other Vineyard Sites
2025 Synchromesh Long’s View Vineyard – 94
Honeydew melon, jasmine, flint and granite on the nose with a medium body, medium-sweet palate and bright crisp finish. Drink or hold.
2016 Synchromesh Bob Hancock Vineyard – 94
Distinctive petrol and grapefruit aromas precede peach and lemon blossom flavors on a fresh, crisp texture. Good acidity offsets a mild sweetness. Delicious and full of personality.
2016 Synchromesh Bob Hancock Vineyard Botrytis Affected Late Harvest – 96
Rich and sweet with ripe peach, honey, toasted almond and apricot. Vivid acidity provides balance and freshness.
Synchromesh
We are a boutique, family run winery that focusses on exploring our unique and complex vineyard blocks through the lens of Riesling and Cabernet Franc. We farm over 30 acres of vines ranging from the North end of Naramata to the Golden Mile in Oliver with the bulk of our vineyards situated on 107 acres in Okanagan Falls.
We practice a holistic philosophy in both farming and winemaking, meaning no synthetic inputs and following organic methods. Wines are fermented naturally to capture the expression of each property and vineyard block in it’s purest form.
Powered by Riesling
All nformation contained herein was provided by Synchromesh Wines.