Tinhorn Creek

JENNA HICKMAN It’s no secret that the Okanagan Valley is home to many of Canada’s most internationally celebrated wines, Tinhorn Creek being one of them. Established in 1993, the winery has been making its mark for almost three decades. Perched on the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver, BC, Tinhorn Creek offers panoramic valley views that span all the way to Osoyoos Lake. From inside the tasting room or outside on the patio, visitors can gaze upon the arid desert-like landscape that makes the southern Okanagan region truly unique. “The Okanagan is fantastic because you have wine professionals from all over the world in one place sharing their knowledge,” says Leandro Nosal, head winemaker at Tinhorn Creek. The Argentinian born winemaker fell in love with the Okanagan on his first visit and relocated to the valley shortly after. “It’s an exciting place to be crafting wine because there is so much versatility and room for creativity. Within the Okanagan, I think the Golden Mile Bench has one of the most interesting terroirs, and I strive to showcase that uniqueness in our wines.”

AWARD WINNERS

Tinhorn Creek recently took home numerous accolades that showcase the calibre of their wines. The 2018 Reserve Merlot won a gold medal at the 2021 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada with an impressive 92 points. The 2020 Gewürztraminer won a National Wine Award of Canada, and the 2020 Pinot Gris won a BC Lieutenant Governor’s Award. This spring, Tinhorn Creek is releasing a newly imagined Rosé diverging from the traditional Cabernet Franc dominant styles of the past into a new, delicate, and complex blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The winery will be releasing their Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris later this spring, two grapes that thrive in the relatively cool and rocky soils of the Golden Mile Bench, producing crisp, aromatic wines.

PINOT GRIS IN OAK AND CONCRETE

The Pinot Gris will be further evolved this year by Nosal and his team by using more oak, and a concrete vessel versus the usual stainless-steel vessel, bringing different components to the blend. “The concrete vessel adds structure to the wine while still respecting the character of the fruit,” says Nosal. “Then, by using a bit of neutral oak, it brings a nice complexity and body to the wine.”

TASTY EXPERIENCES

To try the wines yourself, stop by Tinhorn Creek and choose from their spectacular range of unique wine flights to experience: Enjoy the Seated Tasting Flight where you’ll sip and savour four portfolio wines curated by one of Tinhorn’s experienced wine associates in a relaxed atmosphere. Learn about the history of Tinhorn Creek and the South Okanagan while exploring the tasting effects of various glass stemware in the private Varietal Stemware Experience. Or challenge your wine knowledge and friends in the blind Black Glass Experience challenge. Later this spring, Tinhorn Creek will add a new wine experience to their repertoire, with their Library Lounge Experience. Surrounded by wines, guests will be immersed in the history of Tinhorn Creek’s past while tasting and comparing the different years and growing conditions of various vintages of Tinhorn Creek’s most acclaimed library wines.

WINE CLUB PERKS

If you can’t choose just one wine flight to experience, join Tinhorn Creek’s wine club and receive complimentary standard tastings for yourself and three guests at Tinhorn Creek, as well as Black Hills, Gray Monk, Red Rooster, and Sandhill. You’ll gain exclusive access to new wine releases and the gorgeous guesthouse on the vineyard property. Wine club members also receive a 15 per cent discount on all wine and merchandise as well as access to exclusive member events and dinners. The Tinhorn Creek Tasting Room is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. The winery strongly encourages reservations; however, they will do their best to accommodate walk-ins. For more information about Tinhorn Creek, the wine club, or to book a wine flight experience, please contact 888484-6467 or visit tinhorn.com.