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BC Sips & Stories: High-Elevation Harmony at Garnet Valley Ranch

Above Summerland, inside a secluded canyon reached by dirt roads and switchbacks, Garnet Valley Ranch occupies the highest-elevation vineyard site in the Okanagan Valley. Part of the Haywire and Okanagan Crush Pad family, the 320-acre property sits well beyond the region’s usual wine-touring routes, functioning less like a conventional estate and more like a wild, undeveloped sanctuary where dramatic topography, native flora, and high-altitude sunlight converge.

Garnet Valley Ranch Winery, town hall brands, folioyvr, bc sips and stories,

Rather than imposing traditional agriculture on the landscape, the team built holistic stewardship into Garnet Valley Ranch from its very first vintage. The site is farmed organically and regeneratively, timed to natural cosmic and environmental rhythms set by the earth, solar system, and lunar cycles. Vineyard blocks are carved into the natural contours of the hillside, leaving wide corridors of wild sagebrush and native forest untouched. This commitment to biodiversity yields cool-climate wines of remarkable tension, mineral purity, and distinctive, place-driven character.

High Altitude Terroir and Regenerative Stewardship

The unique topography of Garnet Valley presents both intense viticultural challenges and extraordinary rewards. Operating at extreme elevation exposes the vines to sharp diurnal temperature swings: hot, intense sun during the day, followed by crisp, cooling breezes that drop down from the surrounding mountain ridges at night. This natural cooling cycle preserves vibrant acidity and delicate aromatics, while allowing the grapes to develop rich, complex flavour profiles over an extended growing season.

By prioritizing regenerative practices, the team nurtures soil health, builds natural resiliency, and allows the native terroir to speak without intervention. Every aspect of the ranch, from its high-altitude vineyards to its integrated livestock and fruit production, operates in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem, a farming philosophy where environmental reverence and world-class winemaking are inseparable.

Garnet Valley Ranch Winery, town hall brands, folioyvr, bc sips and stories,

“Our wines are a reflection of this place: the vineyard, the valley, and the seasons. Each bottle carries the wild character and beauty of Garnet Valley Ranch.” – Christine Coletta, Co-Owner

Gentle Interventions in Concrete and Oak

In the cellar, winemakers Matt Dumayne and Kat D’Costa employ a minimalist, gentle hand designed to showcase the ranch’s high-elevation fruit. Fermentations rely heavily on concrete vessels, which allow the wines to breathe naturally while imparting a subtle, tactile minerality without overwhelming delicate aromas with heavy new oak.

When oak is used, it is chosen with restraint, such as large French hogsheads paired alongside concrete eggs to softly build structure and texture. Whole-cluster pressing and thoughtful whole-bunch fermentations further enhance the physical elegance, aromatic lift, and structural complexity of the portfolio.

Featured Wine Recommendations

2022 Chardonnay

Garnet Valley Ranch Winery, town hall brands, folioyvr, bc sips and stories,

The Backstory: Crafted from estate-grown grapes harvested from the high-elevation slopes of the ranch. The fruit was whole-cluster pressed and fermented in concrete tanks before aging in a refined combination of concrete and stainless steel vessels.
Tasting and Profile: Displays a radiant golden straw hue from core to rim. The nose is rich with tropical fruits, grapefruit pith, and complex lees characteristics, complemented by lifted aromatics of melon, pineapple, citrus, and stone fruit. On the palate, it exhibits a dense mid-palate power, delicate acidity, and a mouthwatering, lush mineral finish.
Technical Specs: 100% Chardonnay | ABV: 12.5% | RS: 0.3 g/L | TA: 6.4 g/L | pH: 3.39

2022 Pinot Noir

Garnet Valley Ranch Winery, town hall brands, folioyvr, bc sips and stories,

The Backstory: Fermented in small concrete tanks with a generous 75% whole-cluster inclusion to encourage structural lift and spicy aromatic complexity. Following a gentle basket pressing, the wine was aged in a combination of French oak hogsheads and concrete eggs.
Tasting and Profile: Clear and bright in appearance, with a deep garnet red hue. The nose is packed with lush berries, dusted floral notes, and subtle earthy undertones. The palate is layered with dark red berries, mocha, and smooth, sensual tannins.
Technical Specs: 100% Pinot Noir | ABV: 12.5% | RS: 0.2 g/L | TA: 5.5 g/L | pH: 3.55

Orchard + Field

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The Backstory: Crafted by winemaker Matt Dumayne at Garnet Valley Ranch in Summerland, Orchard + Field is made from fruit grown in the ranch’s orchard and berries gathered from its fields. It carries the same organic and regenerative approach that shapes the estate’s wines.
Tasting and Profile: Tart, juicy, and refreshing, with a lively, fruit-forward character in a lighter, lower-alcohol pour.
Serving Suggestions: Pour over ice, top with a splash of soda, or enjoy as is. A natural fit for summer patios and gatherings with friends.
Technical Specs: ABV: 5.0% | Vegan

Garnet Valley Ranch offers a vivid preview of where Okanagan viticulture is headed, proving that high-elevation, regenerative farming can yield wines of profound character and elegance. The 2022 Chardonnay and 2022 Pinot Noir offer a compelling glimpse into one of the valley’s most adventurous sub-appellations, while a chilled bottle of Orchard + Field brings the same wild mountain terroir to a summer patio.

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.