A recent visit to Lunessence Winery on the Summerland Bench let us taste five Estate Single Vineyard (ESV) wines: four from the 2025 vintage and the winery’s first Pinot Noir release from its young Giant’s Head vineyard.
Three wines particularly impressed us: the vibrant 2025 Brut Riesling, the aromatic 2025 Field White and the juicy 2023 Pinot Noir.
The tasting also highlighted the winery’s success at the 2026 National Wine Awards of Canada, where three of the wines received medals.
Lunessence: Organically Farmed on the Summerland Bench
Lunessence Winery is located on the Summerland Bench, overlooking Okanagan Lake. Its estate vineyards have been organically farmed since 2014 and certified organic since 2020.
The winery’s philosophy emphasizes biodiversity, healthy soils and sustainable viticulture. Its Estate Single Vineyard collection showcases the distinctive character of its Summerland vineyards.
The original estate Riesling vines are now 23 years old, while the newer Giant’s Head vineyard is beginning to produce its first commercial releases.
Brandon Lawrence: A New Generation of Winemaking
Brandon Lawrence brings a strong connection to Summerland’s wine industry and considerable familiarity with the region’s vineyards.
He grew up at Greata Ranch, where his father worked as vineyard manager. Although he initially studied kinesiology with the intention of becoming a physiotherapist, summer work in vineyards and an opportunity to participate in a harvest eventually led him toward winemaking.
His return to his Summerland roots and his approach to winemaking were profiled in the April 2026 article, Rooted in the Land: Brandon Lawrence and the Spirit of Summerland Wine.
His work at Lunessence combines an understanding of the region’s growing conditions with techniques such as wild fermentation, extended lees contact and restrained oak use.
The 2025 Vintage: A Welcome Return to Abundance
The 2025 growing season marked an important recovery for British Columbia’s wine industry following the devastating winter freezes of 2023 and 2024.
A relatively mild winter, early spring and extended growing season helped vineyards recover and contributed to healthier yields and promising fruit quality across the Okanagan.
At Lunessence, the vintage produced a distinctive collection of aromatic whites, sparkling Riesling and a refreshing Blanc de Noirs Rosé.
The estate’s two Rieslings display substantial natural acidity, while the Field White combines ripe fruit with floral intensity. These wines provide an interesting early indication of the vintage’s potential.
Critical Acclaim for the Estate Wines
Lunessence’s 2025 releases have attracted recognition from both competition judges and independent wine reviewers.
At the 2026 National Wine Awards of Canada, organized by WineAlign, three wines from our tasting received medals:
- Gold — 2025 ESV Blanc de Noirs
- Silver — 2025 ESV Riesling
- Bronze — 2025 ESV Field White
The Five Wines
2025 ESV Brut Riesling — $29.99
One of our three favourites
This sparkling release is made entirely from Riesling grown at Lunessence’s certified organic Summerland Bench estate. Produced using the Charmat method, the grapes were whole-cluster pressed, and the wine underwent extended lees ageing to develop additional complexity.
Only 388 cases were produced.
Technical: 100% Riesling | 11.6% alcohol | RS 5.7 g/L | TA 9.2 g/L | pH 2.82
Delicate aromas of white blossoms, green apple, and lightly toasted brioche lead to an energetic palate where crisp citrus, orchard fruit, and delicate sweetness meet vibrant acidity and yeasty notes. A persistent, creamy mousse adds refinement and length to this lively sparkling Riesling. 92 Points
2025 ESV Riesling — $26.99
2026 National Wine Awards — Silver
Produced from 23-year-old Riesling vines at the certified organic Summerland Bench estate vineyard.
Half the grapes were whole-cluster pressed and half destemmed. The wine was aged for five months on lees in stainless steel, preserving its aromatic character and natural acidity.
Technical: 100% Riesling | 12.4% alcohol | RS 5.6 g/L | TA 8.1 g/L | pH 2.99
The Riesling opens with inviting aromas of key lime, jasmine, crisp green apple and ripe apricot. Medium-bodied and off-dry, the palate is juicy and vibrant, with refreshing acidity balancing the ripe orchard fruit and a lingering, fruit-driven finish. 91 Points.
2025 ESV Field White — $26.99
One of our three favourites
2026 National Wine Awards — Bronze
This is the fifth release of Lunessence’s Gentil-inspired Field White, produced from three aromatic varieties grown at its certified organic Summerland Bench estate.
The Riesling was commercially inoculated and fermented in stainless steel. The Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer were wild-fermented in barrel before blending the three components. The wine was subsequently aged for four months on lees in neutral French oak and stainless steel.
Technical: 64% Riesling | 21% Gewürztraminer | 15% Pinot Blanc | 12.5% alcohol | RS 8.7 g/L | TA 7.5 g/L | pH 3.12
Fragrant aromas of tropical fruit, jasmine and elderflower mingle with hints of ginger and citrus. The vibrant palate bursts with passionfruit, ripe mango and apricot, complemented by delicate spice and refreshing acidity. A beautifully balanced wine with a lingering, aromatic finish. 92 Points.
2025 ESV Blanc de Noirs Rosé — $28.99
2026 National Wine Awards — Gold
This unusual Blanc de Noirs is produced from Merlot and Syrah grown at Lunessence’s certified organic Summerland Bench estate.
The grapes received one hour of skin contact, with half the fruit destemmed and a quarter foot-trodden. The wine was aged for five months on lees in stainless steel and neutral French oak.
Technical: Merlot and Syrah | 12.5% alcohol | RS 2.7 g/L | TA 6.5 g/L | pH 3.34
Delicate aromas of red berries and white peach lead to a juicy palate bursting with fresh strawberry, cranberry and red cherry. Subtle hints of sage and minerality add complexity, while vibrant acidity brings freshness and balance to a crisp, dry finish. 92 Points.
2023 ESV Pinot Noir — $34.99
One of our three favourites
New release
This is the first Pinot Noir release from Lunessence’s young Giant’s Head vineyard in Summerland, organically planted and farmed since 2020.
The wine underwent wild fermentation and was aged for seven months on lees in French oak barrels, including 20% new oak.
As a young-vine Pinot Noir, it offers an intriguing first glimpse of this new vineyard’s potential.
Technical: 100% Pinot Noir | 13% alcohol | RS 1.9 g/L | TA 5.9 g/L | pH 3.7
Inviting aromas of red cherry and raspberry lead to an elegant, layered palate with flavours of ripe cherry, leather, wild mushroom and forest floor. Light to medium-bodied, with gently textured tannins and beautifully balanced acidity. A refined, Burgundian-style Pinot Noir with excellent potential to develop further complexity with bottle age. 92+ Points.
Final Thoughts
Our three favourites reveal different sides of Lunessence’s winemaking.
The Brut Riesling delivers vibrant acidity, a creamy mousse and the complexity of extended lees ageing. The Field White brings together three complementary grape varieties in a beautifully aromatic blend. Meanwhile, the young-vine Pinot Noir offers an exciting first look at what the Giant’s Head vineyard may produce as its vines mature.
With three medals at the 2026 National Wine Awards and a promising collection of new releases, Lunessence has plenty to celebrate as the 2026 harvest gets underway. For more information or to arrange a tasting, visit Lunessence Winery.