We visited SpearHead Winery on a bright sunny day, the perfect temperature to enjoy wine tasting on the patio. The BC Wines they were pouring included Chardonnay and their four 2019 Pinot Noirs.
The winery makes about 6,200 cases of wine each year of which 2/3 is Pinot Noir. SpearHead Winery has three main vineyard sites. The Gentleman’s Farmer Vineyard (GFV) which is their estate vineyard, the Golden Retreat Vineyard in Summerland, and Coyote Vineyard in West Kelowna. The original GFV estate vineyard was planted in 2008 with an additional five acres of Pinot Noir added in 2014. The Coyote Vineyard is located on the volcanic outflow of Mount Boucherie was planted with pinot noir clone 115 in 2008.
Grant Stanley – Winemaker & General Manager
Grant Stanley is a dual citizen of Canada and New Zealand. He began his career working in the vineyards of Marlborough. Equipped with winery internships and diplomas in viticulture and winemaking from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, he moved to the North Island, where he became a willing and humble slave to the high priests of Pinot Noir in Martinborough.
His A-type personality soon led him to become compulsive, obsessive and devoted to Pinot Noir. In 2003, after 15 vintages with prestigious wineries in New Zealand and Oregon’s Willamette valley he was attracted to the incredible potential for growing and making high-quality Pinot Noir in the Okanagan Valley.
Since moving to the Okanagan Valley, Grant has become well known for his winemaking style and dedication to improving the growing and making of Pinot Noir. Grant previously spent ten years at the Quails’ Gate winery and four at 50th Parallel Estate. His continuous collaboration with fellow winemakers and viticulturists helps drive this initiative. If you can’t find him in the vineyard or winery, he will most likely be on a tennis court.
2024 Harvest
A cold snap in the Okanagan in January 2024 damaged the SpearHead Winery vineyards, which have been pulled out and will be replanted in the spring of 2025.
Like many other Okanagan wineries, SpearHead Winery’s Winemaker and General Manager Grant Stanley and his team have sourced grapes from vineyards in Washington State and Oregon to compensate for the lost 2024 harvest.
Washington State
The winery is partnering with several vineyards near Prosser to acquire a variety of grapes, including Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Pinot Noir for Rosé and white Pinot Noir. The Syrah will arrive as whole grapes, while the other varietals will be pressed in Washington and transported as juice in refrigerated trucks. Harvest is anticipated to begin in late September to early October, with some varietals expected to be ready sooner. Grant has been visiting the vineyards before harvest to ensure quality.
Oregon
In Oregon, SpearHead Winery will source Pinot Noir from Cherry Hills Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, enough to produce approximately 1,000 cases. The grapes, which include select Dijon clones, may allow for the bottling of multiple expressions of Oregon Pinot Noir. Harvest is expected in early October, and Grant has already visited the vineyard with plans for a second trip. The grapes will be transported in refrigerated trucks, using 40 half-ton bins purchased in Oregon to maintain optimal quality. SpearHead Winery looks forward to crafting this vintage, committed to sourcing the finest grapes to continue producing outstanding wines.
The calm before the storm. Below, the winery is ready to receive Harvest 2024.
SpearHead Wines
Spearhead Chardonnay Clone 95 2019 ($30)
The grapes from Duncan Vineyard on the Naramata Bench are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, then fermented and aged in French oak barrels for 10 months, using a combination of standard barrels and puncheons. 40% goes into new oak and partial malolactic fermentation occurs.
Spearhead makes the premium Chardonnay from prized blocks of low-yielding clone 95, a superior clone originating from the Côte d’Or, France. Gorgeous aromas of quince, grapefruit, and ripe apple. On the palate, there are flavours of lemon zest, honeydew melon, hazelnut, and biscotti with a pliant mineral backbone. The finish is long with a rich buttery mouthfeel. 91 Points
SpearHead Pinot Noir Golden Retreat 2019 ($36)
Pinot Noir clones 667, Pommard, 115 and 777 are each hand-harvested as ripening is reached. The cold soaking occurs for 5-7 days before wild fermentation begins. Time on skins is 16 to 21 days. After gentle pressing, the wine completes malolactic fermentation and is aged for 13 months in French oak barrels (25% new).
Alcohol % 13.5 / pH3.44 / TA 6.6g/l / RS 1.25 g/l
Aromas of leather, plum, anise and vanilla. Flavours of stewed cherry and plum, and black currant. The dry pinot is ripe with silky tannins. 91 Points
Pairs well with Italian-style dishes, especially tomato pasted pasta and pizza.
SpearHead Pinot Noir Coyote 2019 ($36)
The fruit is exclusively from the West Kelowna Coyote Vineyard. Pinot Noir clone 115 was hand-harvested, destemmed into small batches and cold-soaked for 5-7 days before fermentation by indigenous yeasts. The total time on skins is 16 to 21 days. After gentle pressing, the wine completes malolactic fermentation in the barrel and is aged 13 months in French oak (25% new).
Alcohol % 13.5 / pH3.51/ TA 6.38g/l / RS 1.0 g/l
A ripe, fragrant nose of black cherry, baking spice, and vanilla. A bright Pinot Noir with flavours of black cherry, blackberry and earthy forest floor. The length is excellent finishing with a hint of minerality. 92 Points
2021 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada – Gold Medal
SpearHead Pinot Noir Saddle Block 2019 ($36)
The grapes are from the estate vineyard in South East Kelowna. Pinot Noir clones 115, 777, 828 and 667 are separately hand-harvested, destemmed and kept cold for 5-7 days before fermentation by indigenous yeasts commences. The time on skins is 16 to 21 days. After gentle pressing, the wine is matured in French oak barrels for 13 months (25% new).
Alcohol % 13.5 / pH3.51/ TA 6.45 g/l / RS 1.05 g/l
Semi-opaque and medium ruby in colour. A beautiful bouquet of violets, red cherry, raspberry, and a hint of smoke and black pepper. On the palate, black pepper, dark cherry, plum, licorice, forest floor, and subtle and fine tannins with a hint of baking spice on the dry finish. Darker and spicier than the Coyote PN. 93 Points.
2021 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada – Gold Medal
SpearHead Pinot Noir Cuvee 2019 ($42)
The pinot is sourced from the Golden Retreat Vineyard in Summerland and the estate in South East Kelowna. Pinot Noir clones 777, Pommard, 828 & 667, Mt Eden, and 115 are separately hand-harvested, destemmed to small batches, and cold-soaked for 5-7 days before fermentation by Indigenous yeasts. The total time on skins is 16 to 21 days. After gentle pressing, the wine completes malolactic fermentation and is aged 13 months in French oak barrels (40% new).
Alcohol % 13.5 / pH3.61/ TA 6.2 g/l / RS 1.4 g/l
The pinot shows generous blackberry, blueberry, and plum aromas with a hint of violet. Flavours of black cherry, baking spices and forest floor. Finishes with silky tannin and a full mouthfeel. 93 Points
It pairs well with mushroom risotto, grilled trout, and roasted root vegetables.
Please visit the winery website to see the complete portfolio of SpearHead wines.