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‘BC Sips & Stories’ Listening to the Land: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

Long before the South Okanagan became synonymous with world-class red wine, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards was already staking its claim on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver. As one of the region’s pioneering estates, the winery helped establish this desert landscape, a stretch of exposed rock, sagebrush, and searing afternoon light, as fertile ground for Bordeaux-inspired winemaking, proving early on that vines forced to work hard for every drop of moisture could yield reds of real structure and depth.

Sustainability has remained a constant since. Long-term farming decisions at Tinhorn Creek are made with an eye toward the health of the land itself, not simply the demands of a single vintage, an approach that has allowed the estate to build a reputation for premium wines that speak plainly of where they come from rather than chasing outside trends.

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Two Benches, One Philosophy

What sets Tinhorn Creek apart within the South Okanagan is its access to two distinctive terroirs: the Golden Mile Bench and the Black Sage Bench. Where the Black Sage Bench delivers deep heat and gravelly, mineral-driven soils long associated with the estate’s signature reds, the Golden Mile Bench offers a cooler, more moderated counterpoint on the opposite side of the valley. Farming across both benches gives the winemaking team an unusually complete picture of what the South Okanagan is capable of, from richly concentrated reds to more restrained, aromatic whites.

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Bordeaux Varietals, Okanagan Character

That philosophy of listening rather than imposing plays out directly in the cellar. Tinhorn Creek’s portfolio centres on classic Bordeaux varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside a Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé that draw on the estate’s cooler sites for lift and brightness. Rather than reaching for a predetermined house style, the team allows each vintage and each bench to dictate its own expression, adjusting only where necessary to preserve the natural balance the fruit already carries. The same restraint extends to the visitor experience, where tastings paired with sweeping views over the bench connect guests directly to the vineyard rather than simply to the finished bottle.

The 2025 vintage offers a clear window into that philosophy at work. An unusually warm, early spring pushed the growing season two weeks ahead of average, and while summer brought its share of heat waves and thunderstorms, careful vineyard management kept the vines clean and healthy through to one of the earliest harvests on record.

Featured Wine Recommendations

2025 Rosé

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The Backstory: Crafted from three distinct blocks, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, each harvested to capture a precise balance of sugar, acidity, and flavour. The fruit was whole-bunch pressed for a delicate colour extraction, then fermented across stainless steel, tank, and concrete egg at cool temperatures to preserve aromatic intensity, before resting on fine lees for four months to build texture and complexity.
Tasting and Profile: Bright aromas of fresh strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon are lifted by elegant floral notes and a subtle hint of crushed herb. The palate delivers juicy cherry, pomegranate, and red currant, framed by a touch of spice and finishing crisp and dry.
Technical Specs: 52% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot | ABV: 12.9% | RS: 0.5 g/L | TA: 5.60 g/L | pH: 3.30

2025 Pinot Gris

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The Backstory: Hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed, this 100% Pinot Gris was fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel for two months, an approach built to preserve freshness and lively acidity above all else.
Tasting and Profile: Vibrant aromas of citrus blossom, juicy peach, and ripe melon lead into a medium-bodied palate marked by refreshing acidity, lemon zest, and tropical fruit.
Technical Specs: 100% Pinot Gris | ABV: 12.7% | RS: 2.4 g/L | TA: 5.79 g/L | pH: 3.31

For anyone seeking a clear-eyed introduction to what the South Okanagan does best, Tinhorn Creek remains an essential stop. Adding the 2025 Rosé or 2025 Pinot Gris to a cellar offers a direct taste of the estate’s sustainable, low-intervention farming across two distinctive benches, and a compelling look at how patience and attentiveness in the vineyard translate directly into what ends up in the glass.

Visit Tinhorn Creek website HERE and explore today!

Author Profile

Folio.YVR x Town Hall Brands: ‘BC Sips & Stories’, an ongoing series celebrating BC producers creating outstanding beverages, each with its own unique story, flavours, and impact on the community. Compiled by Town Hall Brands, a marketing and branding agency with a passion for promoting quality products, this series aims to shine a light on some of the best BC distilleries, wineries, and makers they work within our region. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning to explore locally crafted beverages, each feature will introduce you to a brand committed to quality, creativity, and connection.