Introduction
The 2025 vintage marks an important milestone for Blasted Church Vineyards. After the devastating January 2024 cold event dramatically reduced British Columbia’s grape crop, the Okanagan winery is once again crafting wines entirely from BC-grown fruit, a welcome return that many wine lovers have been waiting for.
The first four releases of the season—Sauvignon Blanc, Unorthodox Chardonnay, Viognier and Blaufränkisch Rosé—not only celebrate the return of healthy vineyards but also showcase the bright fruit, vibrant acidity and remarkable balance that define the 2025 vintage.
Leading the cellar is winemaker Evan Saunders, whose focus remains firmly on expressing vineyard character while crafting wines that are both approachable and distinctive.
Harvest 2025: Balance Over Brawn
If one word defines the 2025 harvest at Blasted Church, it’s balance.
According to winemaker Evan Saunders, the fruit arrived with exceptional varietal character and ideal ripeness despite slightly lower sugar levels than in many recent vintages.
Harvest began a little earlier than usual, with sparkling wine grapes picked during the final week of August. Overall, Saunders estimates the winery finished roughly a week ahead of a typical season.
While some vineyards produced larger-than-expected yields, others were still recovering from winter damage as replacement trunks continued to mature.
Warm, sunny harvest conditions allowed the team to make careful picking decisions rather than rushing fruit into the winery. The result is a collection of wines that combine generous fruit with vibrant acidity and excellent balance.
2025 Sauvignon Blanc
90% Sauvignon Blanc | 10% Sémillon
Vineyard & Winemaking
This Bordeaux-inspired blend combines estate Sauvignon Blanc from the Skaha Bench with fruit from West Oliver and Sémillon from north of Osoyoos. Stainless steel and French oak fermentation add freshness and texture.
Technical Data
Alcohol: 12.9% / RS: 1.6 g/L
Tasting Notes
Bright aromas of gooseberry, Key lime and Meyer lemon introduce a vibrant, Bordeaux-inspired Sauvignon Blanc. The palate unfolds with lively flavours of lime, pink grapefruit, tropical fruit and fresh lemongrass. A creamy, almost silky texture gives the wine impressive weight and richness, while crisp acidity provides balance and precision. The small addition of Sémillon adds subtle depth and length, carrying the wine through a long, polished finish. 91 Points.
Food Pairing
Fresh oysters, mussels, grilled halibut, roast chicken or chèvre.
2025 Unorthodox Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay Musqué
Vineyard & Winemaking
Two estate vineyard blocks were harvested separately and given brief skin contact before stainless steel fermentation to maximize aromatic expression.
Technical Data
Alcohol: 13.0% / RS: 1.1 g/L
Tasting Notes
Forget everything you think you know about Chardonnay. This isn’t buttery or oaky; it practically pirouettes out of the glass with orange blossom, lychee and citrus aromas. The lightly textured Chardonnay has flavours of green apple, lime, and Anjou pear, with bright acidity and a fresh and spicy finish. 90 Points.
Food Pairing
Butter-poached crab, halibut, roast chicken or creamy seafood pasta.
2025 Viognier
85% Viognier | 15% Marsanne
Vineyard & Winemaking
The 2025 Viognier combines fruit from the estate vineyard on the Skaha Bench (Viognier) and the Red Brick Vineyard (Viognier and Marsanne) located on the east bench of Osoyoos. Estate fruit and Osoyoos-grown fruit were fermented in French oak before blending and further barrel aging.
Technical Data
Alcohol: 13.5% / RS: 2.2 g/L
Tasting Notes
Vibrant aromatic aromas of apricot, white florals, and tangerine. A gorgeous, rounded, complex mouthfeel with well-balanced acidity. Flavours of apricot jam, peach, mango, Anjou pear, honeycomb and subtle vanilla balanced by lively acidity. 90 Points.
Food Pairing
Pad Thai, Moroccan lamb tagine, apricot-glazed pork or aged Gouda.
2025 Blaufränkisch Rosé
100% Estate Blaufränkisch
Vineyard & Winemaking
Half whole-cluster pressed and half given brief skin contact before fermentation and aging in neutral French oak.
Technical Data
Alcohol: 12.5% / RS: 1.1 g/L
Tasting Notes
Bursting with vibrant aromas of strawberry, raspberry and pink grapefruit, this rosé delivers a mouthwatering palate of crunchy red berries, tangy rhubarb and strawberry crumble, underpinned by an intriguing savoury note. Medium-bodied with refreshing, medium-high acidity, it strikes a perfect balance between carefree summer sipping and genuine sophistication. Equal parts fun and seriously delicious. 90 Points.
Food Pairing
Grilled salmon, Cacio e Pepe, roast chicken or soft cheeses.
Final Thoughts
These four wines provide an impressive first look at Blasted Church’s 2025 vintage. More importantly, they signal the welcome return of BC-grown fruit and suggest that, after one of the most difficult growing seasons in the province’s history, Okanagan wineries are firmly back on track. Here is the link to purchase Blasted Church wines online.