Three wines scoring 93 points or higher, led by a superb 94-point Syrah, make Township 7’s 2024 Interlude Series a collection worth exploring. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon both earned 93 points, while the approachable, Pinot Noir-led Interlude Red scored 91 and proved a delicious partner for pizza.
Winemaker Mary McDermott and her team have delivered four reds with generous fruit, texture and distinct personalities. The Syrah was my standout—a powerful, polished wine reminiscent of a premium Australian Shiraz—while the Merlot’s velvety texture and the Cabernet Sauvignon’s savoury complexity also impressed.
The collection emerged from an exceptionally difficult vintage. After the devastating January 2024 freeze left its Okanagan vineyards with little or no fruit, Township 7 sourced grapes from Washington State and California. The team brought the fruit to Naramata, where they fermented, aged and bottled all four wines.
These wines were made in British Columbia from US-grown grapes, with their origins clearly explained. The program kept employees working, supported local suppliers and maintained winery operations while the BC vineyards recovered.
With prices ranging from $29.97 to $44.97, the collection offers appealing choices for autumn dinners, from casual pizza nights to roast beef and slow-cooked ribs.
Why Interlude?
Township 7’s vintage report describes the abrupt temperature plunge in January 2024, with readings falling from 0°C on January 10 to a low of −27°C on January 13. Initial bud tests offered little encouragement.
Spring brought some relief. Most vines at the Naramata property survived, although damage in Oliver required removing entire Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blocks. Even where there was little or no crop, the winery continued its vineyard care to support recovery.
The Interlude wines allowed production to continue during that interruption. Mary notes that the US fruit was purchased in 2024, before the current trade environment.
The wines draw on two vineyards: Double D in Washington’s Rocky Reach AVA and Four Palms in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Their fruit gives the team different ingredients to work with, from structured Washington Cabernet Sauvignon to the red-fruit character of Sonoma Pinot Noir.
Township 7 Interlude Merlot 2024 ($33)
Vineyard
This single-vineyard wine is 100% Merlot from the sustainably certified Double D Vineyard in Orondo, Washington, within the Rocky Reach AVA.
Wind-deposited sand and silt sit over cobblestone gravel. Well-draining soils and heat-retaining stones shape the site’s growing conditions.
The grapes were harvested on September 21, 2024, at an average 26.0° Brix.
Winemaking
The Merlot was fermented in two large wooden foudres, with several cap-management techniques used to develop fruit and tannin extraction.
It then spent 18 months in 80% French and 20% American oak. No new oak was used, keeping the emphasis on the vineyard’s fruit.
Technical Specifications
Alcohol: 14.9% / pH: 3.55 / Total acidity: 6.7 g/L / Residual sugar: 0.8 g/L / Production: 491 cases / Vegan: Yes
Tasting Notes
Dark ruby in colour, with intense aromas of blackberry and black cherry. The palate reveals concentrated black plum and blackberry, layered with dark chocolate, graphite and a distinctive mineral character. Velvety tannins and lively acidity balance the generous dark fruit and carry through a long, satisfying finish. Another terrific Merlot crafted from Washington-grown fruit. 93 Points
Food pairing: Grilled tri-tip, mushroom risotto or aged Gouda.
Township 7 Interlude Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 ($37.98)
Vineyard
The 100% Cabernet Sauvignon also comes from the sustainably certified Double D Vineyard in Orondo, Washington, in the Rocky Reach AVA.
Its sand and silt over cobblestone gravel provide drainage and retain warmth, supporting the ripening of this later-season variety.
Harvest took place on October 12, 2024, at an average 26.7° Brix.
Winemaking
Fermentation took place in both stainless steel and large wooden foudres, with varied cap management to develop fruit concentration and tannin structure.
The wine matured for 18 months in 75% French and 25% American oak, with no new oak.
Technical Specifications
Alcohol: 14.9% / pH: 3.78 / Total acidity: 6.3 g/L / Residual sugar: 1.2 g/L / Production: 593 cases / Vegan: Yes
Tasting Notes
A bold, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with layered aromas of ripe blackberry, baked black cherry and cassis, accented by dates, baking spice, tobacco and leather. The palate delivers concentrated dark fruit, dark chocolate and earthy forest-floor notes. Rounded acidity balances the richness, while firm, well-integrated tannins provide structure and carry the wine through a long, savoury finish. Aging in seasoned oak lets the vineyard’s fruit take centre stage, creating a ripe, complex, distinctly varietal Cabernet Sauvignon. 93 Points
Food pairing: Marinated ribeye steak or a grilled burger topped with Gruyère.
Township 7 Interlude Syrah 2024 ($44.97)
Vineyard
This 100% Syrah brings together equal contributions from two regions:
- 50% Four Palms Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California.
- 50% Double D Vineyard, Rocky Reach AVA, Orondo, Washington.
Four Palms has sandy loam soils containing shale and volcanic ash. Double D features wind-deposited sand and silt over cobblestone gravel. Both sites have rocky, well-draining soils that retain heat.
The grapes were harvested on October 4 and 9, 2024, at an average 28.4° Brix.
Winemaking
The vineyard lots were fermented separately, predominantly in stainless steel, with a small portion fermented in wooden foudres.
Following varied cap management, the wine aged for 18 months in 77% French and 23% American oak. No new oak was used.
The blend combines the Sonoma fruit’s bright aromatics and red-fruit character with the Washington component’s concentration and tannin structure.
Technical Specifications
Alcohol: 14.9% / pH: 3.76 / Total acidity: 6.1 g/L / Residual sugar: 2.8 g/L / Production: 643 cases / Vegan: Yes
Tasting Notes
Inky and almost black in the glass, this bold Syrah opens with expressive aromas of blackberry, black plum and blueberry, lifted by a subtle hint of peppercorn spice. The full-bodied palate delivers a generous wave of dark fruit, layered with dark chocolate and pencil shavings. Beautifully smooth, juicy tannins give the wine a plush texture that carries its richness with ease. A powerful, polished Syrah reminiscent of a premium Australian Shiraz. 94 Points
Food pairing: Five-spice baby back ribs or mushroom farrotto.
Township 7 Interlude Red 2024 ($29.97)
Vineyard
The blend takes a less conventional route, with Pinot Noir as its largest component:
- 42% Pinot Noir
- 29% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 20% Merlot
- 9% Syrah
The Pinot Noir and Syrah come from Four Palms Vineyard in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Double D Vineyard in Washington’s Rocky Reach AVA grew the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Harvest dates were September 21 and 23, and October 9 and 12, 2024, with an average 27.2° Brix.
Winemaking
The varieties were fermented separately in a combination of stainless steel and large wooden foudres.
The wine aged for 18 months in French and American oak before the final blend brought the four varieties together. The technical sheet does not specify the oak proportions or percentage of new oak.
Technical Specifications
Alcohol: 14.9% / pH: 3.85 / Total acidity: 6.2 g/L / Residual sugar: 6.1 g/L / Production: 693 cases / Vegan: Yes
Tasting Notes
An easy-drinking red blend with vibrant red-berry and spice aromas. Juicy red cherry and ripe strawberry flavours mingle with gentle spice on the palate. The tannins are soft at first, with a light grip towards the juicy finish. A relaxed, fruit-forward wine that pairs nicely with pizza. 91 Points
Food pairing: Honey barbecue ribs, Szechuan chicken or Roquefort pizza.
My Take
The 94-point Syrah is my pick of the collection. Retasting it reinforced just how impressive it is: concentrated dark fruit, a plush texture and beautifully integrated tannins make it a wine to savour.
The 93-point Merlot at $33 offers particularly appealing value, while the 93-point Cabernet Sauvignon brings the structure and savoury depth for a steak dinner. For a relaxed evening, the 91-point Interlude Red delivers juicy fruit and easy enjoyment.
Mary McDermott and her team have made the most of these Washington and California grapes. Each wine has its own character, and the three varietal reds deserve particular attention.
Where to Buy
You can buy all four wines directly from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery. Browse the complete collection or order online here.
Another Difficult Decision in 2026
In her September 24, 2026 letter, Mary also outlined Township 7’s response to wildfire smoke exposure in the Okanagan.
According to the winery, testing in vineyards from Osoyoos to Naramata found elevated volatile phenols linked to smoke exposure. Concern that smoke taint could develop as wines age led Township 7 to decide not to harvest Okanagan Valley fruit in 2026. You can read more on the BC Wine Harvest here BC Wine Harvest 2026: A Record-Early Start, Promising Fruit and a Complicated Vintage.
The Langley estate had better news, reporting it harvested 6.8 metric tonnes of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Note: Township 7 provided samples. All scores and tasting impressions are my own.