Spierhead Winery is one of the newer wineries on this trail. The tasting room is open through to October daily and by appointment in the winter months. Stop by during the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival and pick up a Fab Five Winery Passport and a winery stamp. Gather stamps from the other four wineries on the trail and you’ll be entered to win one of five cases of the Fab Five Wine Trail’s wine.
Spierhead’s newly named Gentleman Farmer Vineyard was planted in 2008 and their tasting room opened in 2010. There is a licensed picnic area that you can bring your lunch to and enjoy while sipping on wine overlooking the vineyards. Spierhead sustainably farms Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir onsite, and sources their Bordeaux varieties from the Black Sage Bench in Oliver. Grapes are hand harvested and all crushing, fermenting andaging takes place on the property. The winery’s owners credit the team for the winery’s success. Winemaker Bill Pierson who was previously at Fort Berens and Cedar Creek Winery is Spierhead Winery’s Winemaker and on full time at the winery. Onsite tasting room management and Okanagan sales is managed by Dan French and on the weekends Paul and Meena Cleland, who are referred to as “the weekend warriors”, look after the tasting room.
With their combined efforts the winery is now producing 1800 cases per year. 2010 Spierhead Pinot Noir $17.90.
A great valued wine coming in well under $20. The wine spent 11 months in French Oak and has aromas of cherry, strawberry, spice and vanilla. On the palate there are bright cherry notes, hints of oak and a silky smooth finish.
Pairs well with salmon and would be a good addition to the Thanksgiving table.
~ Cassandra Anderton