It was a beautiful late summer day when we drove past the Howling Bluff Estate Winery, a family-owned estate winery that takes pride in growing its own grapes and producing small lots of remarkable BC wines.
The Winery Name
Where did our name, Howling Bluff, come from? The name came about from a beautiful early spring morning, the moon still in the sky and our dogs howling away on the bluff by the winery. The scene, the occasion and the moment just seemed too perfect, and thus Howling Bluff winery was born.
Luke Smith
The Vineyard
It was the spring of 2011 when Luke started converting most of the property to Pinot Noir. The switch to Pinot Noir was terroir-driven. Specifically chosen for its premium deep clay soil, west-facing geography, and rolling hillsides, the former peach orchard lets Luke craft fine vintages that reflect the terroir. The deep cut formed by Three Mile Creek, now Three Mile Rd., allows cooler evening air to flow over the vines during the hot Okanagan summer months, while the neighbouring rolling hills protect the vines from frost in the cooler months.
“I have come to the conclusion that you have the possibility of making a world class Bordeaux blend with just Naramata Bench grapes one out of four years. In three out of four years, you have a chance of making a world class Pinot Noir on the Bench, because of the weather. So why would I fight that?”
Luke Smith
The Founder
Food and wine are much more than just passions for Luke Smith, they are a way of life. Growing up with a mother who was the Vancouver International Food and Wine Society secretary meant he was immersed in flavours at a young age and developed a palate and a thirst for bold, adventurous, and delectable ingredients.
Luke left his career as an investment banker in Vancouver in 2004 and moved with his family to the Naramata Bench to pursue his life-long passion for great wines. With the help of industry peers and friendly neighbourhood winemakers providing insights, he released the first Howling Bluff Estate Winery vintage in 2006.
New Partnership
In September 2022, Luke and Jennifer Smith announced a new partnership with Blair and Faith Gillingham, another Penticton family.
With over 20 years of winemaking experience globally and the last several vintages making award-winning wines on the Naramata Bench, Blair now assumes the role of winemaker at Howling Bluff. This will allow Luke to take on a larger role in turning the winery into a net-zero farm and winery, and radically reducing the use of fossil fuels at Howling Bluff.
“It was time to bring some young energy to the winery, and I’m excited about Blair’s talent and his experience with cool climate wines here in Canada, Europe, and the Southern Hemisphere,”
Howling Bluff founder Luke Smith.
“The first task is to concentrate on the 2022 harvest-at-hand and to continue making great Howling Bluff wines with well-established vines. I’m also looking forward to bringing the two decades of experience that I’ve cultivated from my wine expeditions around the globe. The plan is to continually evolve the wines in keeping with our dreams of pushing the quality forward in this world-class wine region.”
Winemaker Blair Gillingham
The Wines
Howling Bluff has won the Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence twice with Pinot Noir.
Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc Three Mile Creek Reserve 2021
Planted in 2004 in the Three Mile Creek Vineyard, this Graves-style Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing. Aromas of citrus fruits and minerality open into a palate of grapefruit, white peach, and nectarine. Fermented in 60% stainless steel with 40% aged in neutral French oak, adding complexity and ageability.
Howling Bluff Century Block Pinot Noir 2020
The Century Block is named after the 100 different species that were once planted where the vines grow today. Clones 667 and 777 grow beside the wine shop in the riverbed of the now-dry Three Mile creek. Fruit notes of cherry, black currant, and raspberry with an earthy balance of leather, forest floor, and pepper make this wine our most prestigious. Aged for 12 months in 100% second fill oak.
Howling Bluff Three Mile Creek Pinot Noir 2020
The Estate Three Mile Creek vineyard has produced two Lieutenant Governor Awards of Excellence and a Silver Decanter World Wine Award. Clones 667 and 777 bring aromas of tobacco, ripe cherry, and white pepper, with tastes of black currant and baking spices.
For the complete selection of Howling Bluff wines, go to the winery website.
Source: Background and tasting notes from the Howling Bluff website.