haywire wines, okanagan crush pad, folioyvr, helen siwak, okanagan wine tastings, town hall brands

BC Sips & Stories: Unruly by Name, Precise by Practice, Presenting Haywire Winery

Haywire Winery sits on scenic benchland in Summerland, but its origin story is anything but polished. Named for the unpredictable wire fencing that once crossed the property, the label began in 2009 as a virtual project: no winery, no crush pad, just a tiny inaugural crop harvested from the organic Switchback Vineyard. The name stuck because it suited the ambition. Over the past decade and a half, Haywire has grown into a true anchor attraction in Summerland, with a sleek visitor lounge and a bold visual identity that reflects its forward-thinking philosophy.

At the heart of Haywire’s ethos is a deep reverence for the raw, unadorned terroir of the Okanagan Valley. The winemaking team adheres to a strict “less is more” philosophy, stripping away heavy oak influences and excessive manipulation to let the pure fruit, bright natural acidity, and slate-like minerality of the region shine through. By focusing on gentle handling and natural fermentations, Haywire crafts wines that possess remarkable clarity, structure, and an authentic sense of place.

haywire wines, okanagan crush pad, folioyvr, helen siwak, okanagan wine tastings, town hall brands

Concrete, Amphora, and the Case Against Oak

What truly sets Haywire apart is its early and unwavering commitment to alternative, neutral fermentation and aging vessels. Long before concrete tanks became a trend in North American winemaking, Haywire invested heavily in state-of-the-art concrete egg and tulip tanks, alongside terracotta amphorae and neutral wood foudres. Concrete allows the wine to breathe subtly without imparting woody oak flavours, building rich textural body and mid-palate heft while maintaining vibrant fruit purity.

This focus on vessel diversity extends across the entire portfolio, enabling winemakers Matthew Dumayne and Kat D’Costa to highlight the nuanced differences between Okanagan micro-sites. Whether sourcing from the granite-rich soils of Summerland or the sun-drenched terraces of the Naramata Bench, the winemaking team works in harmony with each harvest to create wines that feel energetic, textured, and distinctly cool.

haywire wines, okanagan crush pad, folioyvr, helen siwak, okanagan wine tastings, town hall brands

“Great wine starts in the vineyard. Our role in the cellar is to let healthy fruit and the character of this place come through with clarity and balance.” – Matt Dumayne, Chief Winemaker

Patience as Practice in the Cellar

In the cellar, every stage of production is guided by patience and minimal intervention. Native fermentations are favoured whenever possible, allowing wild yeasts to build complex aromatic profiles. Extended lees contact with routine stirring adds a velvety, textural mouthfeel to the whites, balancing the region’s naturally crisp, electric acidity.

For reds, gentle whole-cluster and whole-berry fermentations preserve bright fruit aromatics and fine-grained, sensual tannins. Basket pressing to neutral concrete and wood vessels ensures the structural integrity of the grapes is honoured rather than forced, resulting in a refined collection of wines built for discerning palates that favour authenticity and elegance over heavy oak or sweetness.

Featured Wine Recommendations

2025 Switchback Vineyard Pinot Gris

haywire wines, okanagan crush pad, folioyvr, helen siwak, okanagan wine tastings, town hall brands

The Backstory: Sourced entirely from Haywire’s estate Switchback Organic Vineyard in Summerland. The fruit was whole-cluster pressed, naturally fermented, and aged in a combination of concrete tanks and large neutral foudres, spending 11 months resting on lees with constant stirring to build its signature texture and complexity.
Tasting and Profile: An iconic expression of Okanagan Pinot Gris, delivering fine structural integrity and bright, chalky minerality. The palate is beautifully textured and rich, balanced by vibrant natural acidity and subtle fruit complexity that promises to reward careful cellaring.
Technical Specs: 100% Pinot Gris | ABV: 13.5% | RS: 3.6 g/L | TA: 6.8 g/L | pH: 3.36

2022 Pinot Noir

haywire wines, okanagan crush pad, folioyvr, helen siwak, okanagan wine tastings, town hall brands

The Backstory: Sourced from three distinct Okanagan vineyard sites to deliver a comprehensive regional snapshot. Crafted using 50% whole-cluster and 50% whole-berry fruit, naturally fermented for an average of four weeks before being gently basket pressed into concrete tanks and foudres for aging.
Tasting and Profile: Clear and bright in presentation, with an alluring, savoury aromatic nuance. Offers excellent palate weight and structure, framed by soft, silky tannins and layered dark fruit notes.
Technical Specs: 100% Pinot Noir | ABV: 12.5% | RS: 0.0 g/L | TA: 5.2 g/L | pH: 3.68

Chardonnay 2022

haywire wines, okanagan crush pad, folioyvr, helen siwak, okanagan wine tastings, town hall brands

The Backstory: Sourced from the Naramata Bench, this Chardonnay was whole-bunch pressed and native fermented in a mix of stainless steel, concrete, amphora, and foudre. It then rested on lees in concrete and foudre.
Tasting and Profile: Delivers a succinct minerality expressive of the region. Fruit driven, with excellent structure and mid-palate heft.
Technical Specs: Chardonnay | ABV: 12.5% | RS: 0.0 g/L | TA: 7.5 g/L | pH: 3.48 | Brix: 22.6

Haywire Winery began in 2009 as a virtual brand and has grown into a Summerland anchor by trusting a gentle hand and well-chosen vessels over heavy oak. The Switchback Vineyard Pinot Gris, the Chardonnay 2022, and the savoury Pinot Noir each offer a clear, textured taste of Okanagan terroir, and together they make a compelling case for adding Haywire to the next table, cellar, or Summerland itinerary.

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.