Four 2025 Living Land wines — Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir — showcase Monte Creek’s approach to organic winemaking and the contrasting growing conditions of the Thompson and Similkameen valleys.
Located east of Kamloops in the South Thompson Valley, Monte Creek Winery is building an impressive portfolio of organic wines from two distinctly different BC growing regions. Its Thompson Valley vineyards benefit from cooler northern conditions, while its Similkameen Valley vineyards near Keremeos produce fruit with greater ripeness and intensity.
Our latest tasting explores four wines from the 2025 Living Land collection. Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Noir, showing how these contrasting growing conditions shape each wine’s character.
Monte Creek continues to earn recognition in national and international wine competitions. Recent highlights include a silver medal for its 2024 Living Land Pinot Noir at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition and a silver for its 2022 Living Land Chardonnay at the 2025 competition.
The selection also highlights the versatility of these wines at the dinner table, including a particularly successful pairing of Gamay Noir with butter chicken.
For readers who want to explore more of Monte Creek’s portfolio, our earlier article, Monte Creek Winery Continues to Raise the Bar for Thompson Valley Wines with Six New Releases, features six additional wines and highlights the winery’s ongoing evolution.
Two Valleys, Two Distinct Growing Conditions
The 2025 growing season clearly demonstrated the differences between Monte Creek’s vineyards.
Harvest began on August 29, with warm late-summer temperatures accelerating ripening, particularly at the winery’s Keremeos vineyard in the Similkameen Valley.
Meanwhile, the more northerly Thompson Valley vineyards benefited from cooler nights and shorter days, allowing grapes to remain on the vines longer while retaining freshness and acidity.
According to Monte Creek, the Similkameen fruit displayed strength and intensity, while the Thompson Valley grapes showed elegance and balance.
These differences help explain the range of wine styles in the Living Land collection.
Monte Creek Living Land Chardonnay 2025
British Columbia VQA | Organic | $26.99
Sourced from Monte Creek’s Similkameen and South Thompson vineyard sites, this Chardonnay blends 60% Similkameen fruit with 40% South Thompson fruit.
Winemaking
Fermented with natural yeast, the wine was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels (90%) and concrete eggs (10%), with approximately 5–10% new-oak influence. A portion underwent malolactic fermentation, contributing roundness and texture.
Tasting Notes
Pale straw in colour, this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay opens with aromas of citrus and stone fruit, accented by toasted oak and a hint of vanilla. Pineapple, lemon, ripe apple and Bosc pear unfold on the palate, with balanced acidity bringing freshness to the rich, smooth mouthfeel. 91 Points
Food Pairing
Roast chicken, grilled salmon or creamy mushroom pasta.
Monte Creek Living Land Grüner Veltliner 2025
Similkameen Valley | Organic | $26.99
Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s signature white grape, remains relatively uncommon in British Columbia. Monte Creek’s interpretation comes from organically grown fruit at its Keremeos estate vineyard.
Winemaking
The grapes underwent slow, gentle whole-cluster pressing. The wine fermented in neutral oak (85%) and concrete (15%).
This approach adds texture and complexity while preserving the wine’s delicate fruit character. Monte Creek suggests enjoying the wine now or cellaring it for three to five years.
Tasting Notes
Light straw in colour, with inviting aromas of fresh apple, peach and citrus, accented by a delicate hint of white pepper. Medium-bodied, the wine offers vibrant flavours of lemon-lime zest, stone fruit and white grapefruit, complemented by stony minerality and bright, refreshing acidity. 90 Points
Technical: Alcohol 13.7% / RS 1.4 g/L / TA 5.6 g/L / pH 3.3
Food Pairing: Grilled seafood, Wiener Schnitzel, Bratwurst sausages and potato salad, asparagus risotto, roasted squash soup, or lightly spiced Asian dishes.
Monte Creek Living Land Gamay Noir 2025
British Columbia VQA | Organic | $29.99
Gamay is gaining recognition in British Columbia for its bright fruit, refreshing acidity and versatility with food. The fruit was sourced from Monte Creek’s South Thompson (58%) and Similkameen (42%) vineyard sites.
This is Monte Creek’s fourth Gamay vintage, offering an encouraging glimpse of the variety’s potential as the young vines mature.
Winemaking
The grapes were fermented in a mix of concrete and stainless steel, then aged for nine months in 35% concrete and 65% French oak.
The combination preserves the wine’s vibrant fruit character while introducing subtle oak and spice.
Tasting Notes
Vibrant aromas of red cherry, cranberry and raspberry lead to a juicy, fruit-forward palate with layers of ripe dark berries. Soft, supple tannins provide a silky texture, while a subtle mineral note adds complexity. Fresh and beautifully balanced, with a smooth, lingering finish. 91 Points
Food Pairing: Butter Chicken
One of the most enjoyable discoveries from this tasting was how beautifully the Gamay paired with butter chicken.
The wine’s vibrant fruit character complemented the creamy, tomato-based sauce, while its refreshing acidity balanced the dish’s richness. The gentle spice notes also worked particularly well with the aromatic Indian seasonings.
An excellent pairing that demonstrates why Gamay deserves more attention as a versatile dinner wine.
Monte Creek Living Land Pinot Noir 2025
Similkameen Valley | Organic | $29.99
Crafted entirely from Similkameen Valley fruit, Monte Creek’s 2025 Pinot Noir highlights the elegance and savoury complexity that make this variety so appealing.
Winemaking
The grapes were fermented in a mix of concrete cubes and stainless steel, then aged for nine months in French oak.
This approach combines fresh fruit with the structure and complexity of barrel aging.
Tasting Notes
This youthful Pinot Noir benefits from decanting to reveal its developing character. Enticing aromas of ripe red cherry and fresh raspberry lead to a lively, fruit-driven palate of juicy cherry, layered with delicate baking spice and subtle graphite minerality. Dry and light-bodied, with smooth, supple tannins and a silky mouthfeel. An elegant, refreshing Pinot Noir with a delicate, lingering finish. 91+ Points
Food Pairing: Roast duck, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, NY strip steak or herb-roasted pork.
Final Thoughts
Monte Creek’s four 2025 Living Land wines demonstrate the remarkable diversity of British Columbia’s organic vineyards. The Chardonnay captures the freshness and balance of the cooler Thompson Valley, while the Grüner Veltliner, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Noir showcase the Similkameen Valley’s vibrant fruit and distinctive character.
Thoughtful winemaking, including concrete fermentation vessels and carefully managed oak aging, allows each wine to retain its individual personality.
The Gamay Noir was particularly memorable alongside homemade butter chicken, while the Chardonnay proved an excellent companion to pan-fried steelhead trout.
Together, these four wines reinforce Monte Creek’s growing reputation for producing approachable, food-friendly organic wines that express the character of two very different BC wine regions.
For more information, visit Monte Creek Winery.