OKANAGAN FALLS, BRITISH COLUMBIA – AUG 25, 2025
The team at Noble Ridge is excited to welcome Libby Nixon, who will be joining us as our Assistant Winemaker and Assistant Viticulturist. Originally from the land down under, Libby completed her Master’s in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide in Australia. Since 2017, she has honed her winemaking skills in Australia and right here in Okanagan Falls, working with one of our neighbouring wineries. Along the way, she’s developed a deep appreciation and understanding of our unique terroir. “Libby brings with her not only experience, but also a fresh perspective and a shared passion for crafting high-quality wines. I’m confident she’ll play a key role in taking our wines to the next level, and I can’t wait for you to taste the results”, said Benoit Gauthier, Chief Operating Officer& Director of Winemaking and Viticulture.
Libby: I originally got into winemaking via research. I have a degree in chemistry and did my Master’s thesis in the detection of Smoke Taint in wines (which has turned out to be quite useful in the last few years). My original plan was to continue this research with a PhD. However, what was meant to be a brief stint as a harvest cellar hand in the Okanagan turned into a love for this (relatively) new wine region and a passion for making wine; there was no way I could go back into a lab after that!
Libby: This is like asking me to pick a favourite child! There are so many wines out there that you can pick for every occasion, and they all bring interest and challenges in the cellar. However, if I had to answer, it would be Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I believe these varieties thrive in Okanagan Falls, and I love experimenting with different winemaking techniques, particularly with Chardonnay (as an Aussie, I’m a fan of barrel-fermented Chardonnay), and exploring clones for Pinot Noir.
Libby: I’ve now been making wine in Okanagan Falls for around 7 years and one thing that I love about it is its perfect conditions for growing wine – specifically Pinot Noir which I love to nerd out about (see earlier about pinot clones!) The soils left by glaciers millions of years ago, the warm summer days and cooling effects from the lakes make it perfect for ripening well balanced fruit to make fantastic wines. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s stunning to look at.
Libby: I’m very passionate about weightlifting and running (which helps me a lot during harvest!) I also enjoy drinking interesting wines and playing dungeons and dragons with friends (nerd alert)!
ABOUT NOBLE RIDGE
Driven by a profound passion and unwavering optimism, Noble Ridge was founded in 2001 on the vision of crafting exceptional wines. The winery’s name itself reflects this commitment, embodying the noble varieties of grapes grown and the ridge of land where they thrive, symbolizing a dedication to quality and a reminder to strive for excellence in every bottle.
Located in the southern Okanagan Valley, Noble Ridge is uniquely situated on glacially carved land, allowing for distinct microclimates within the sub-GI of Okanagan Falls. This rare terroir enables Noble Ridge to cultivate both Burgundian and Bordeaux varietals with distinct distinction, resulting in five categories of estate wines.
For more information on Noble Ridge Wines, see Noble Ridge releases Crafted in BC Wines and Noble Ridge for Bubbles.