Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
We were proud to feature Tinhorn Creek in January 2024.
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards was founded by Kenn and Sandra Oldfield and Bob and Barb Shaunessy in 1993 with a focus on growing the best grapes and making great wine. What started with a couple of barrels in the basement of a house and a few acres of vines has grown into a thriving winery; attracting a group of talented people committed to making outstanding wines in the south Okanagan.
Tinhorn Creek is located just south of Oliver B.C., in the famed Golden Mile wine-growing district. As the number one winery destination evoking classic south Okanagan terroir, Tinhorn Creek proudly offers estate grown wines, growing grapes on both the Black Sage and Golden Mile benches. As the first winery in Canada to support carbon neutral measures, Tinhorn Creek continues their commitment to land stewardship, conservation and environmentally sustainable practices. Tinhorn Creek offers an unrivaled visitor experience along with wines that rank among the best in the world.
Wines included in your package:
Enthusiast Red & White: 2022 Gewürztraminer, 2021 Cabernet Franc
Enthusiast Red Only: 2021 Merlot, 2021 Cabernet Franc
Enthusiast White Only: 2022 Gewürztraminer, 2022 Pinot Gris
Expert Red & White: 2022 Chardonnay, 2021 Merlot, 2021 Cabernet Franc
Expert Red Only: 2021 Merlot, 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2021 The Creek
Expert White Only: 2022 Gewürztraminer, 2022 Pinot Gris, 2022 Chardonnay
Master Red & White: 2022 Gewürztraminer, 2022 Pinot Gris, 2022 Reserve Rosé, 2021 Merlot, 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2020 Reserve Merlot
Master Red Only: 2021 Merlot (x2), 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2020 Reserve Merlot, 2021 The Creek, 2021 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes
GEWÜRZTRAMINER, 2022
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Gewürztraminer
Vineyard: Tinhorn Creek Vineyard and Hidden Terrace Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: 7.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 3,744
Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Lychee, cardamom and grapefruit bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, rose water, Turkish delight flavour. Beautifully balanced, long on the palate with a caressing mouthfeel.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will develop its lovely bouquet with another year in bottle.
Food Pairing: Middle Eastern rice pilaf with pomegranate seeds, grilled shrimp with oregano and lemon, Thai chicken coconut curry, Moroccan vegetable tagine with spicy harissa, and lobster bisque.
CABERNET FRANC, 2021
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard and various vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 4,025
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, lightly smoky, vanilla, cassis and plum bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, firmly structured, cherry and plum flavours with ripe tannins.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be consumed with pleasure now, but will reward holding for 1–2 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Thin crust pepperoni pizza, spicy beef barbacoa, bacon-wrapped pesto pork tenderloin, Indian butter chicken, and fried tofu with spicy ginger-sesame sauce.
PINOT GRIS, 2022
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Tinhorn Creek Vineyard and Hidden Terrace Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: 0.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 9,222
Appearance: Straw colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty, spicy, peach pit nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, peachy-lemony flavour rounded with oak. A well-balanced wine.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or through 2024.
Food Pairing: Oysters Rockefeller, roasted chicken with dill and potatoes, seared scallops with pomegranate and lemon, asparagus and spinach frittata, and pesto-rubbed baked salmon.
MERLOT, 2021
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.7%
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 9,316
Appearance: Deep ruby-purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary nose of black plum with a mocha note.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, richly extracted flavours of plum and black cherry, firmly structured with ripe tannins and balancing acidity.
Quality: 89 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+. Drink now and through 2025.
Food Pairing: Duck confit, beef short ribs, gnocchi with pork sausage, Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich, and roasted turkey with cranberry sauce and other fan favourite holiday sides.
CHARDONNAY, 2022
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: 0.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,964
Appearance: Straw colour with a green tint.
Nose: Toasty, apple bouquet with oak spice.
Palate: Full-bodied, richly extracted baked apple, caramel and tangerine flavours. Well-integrated oak, lovely mouth feel.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or through 2025.
Food Pairing: Maple bacon cornbread, oven-baked sea bass with lemon-caper dressing, spinach-artichoke flatbread, grilled shrimp skewers with lemon and herbs, and skillet chicken with a creamy tomato sauce.
THE CREEK, 2021
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Merlot (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (37%), Cabernet Franc (14%), Syrah (2%), Petit Verdot (1%), Malbec (1%)
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard and Tinhorn Creek Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,536
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, blackcurrant, blackberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Rich and velvety mouthfeel, savoury, firmly structured black fruit flavours with well-integrated oak carried on lively acidity.
Quality: 89 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Can be opened now but will develop with 1–2 years in your cellar.
Food Pairing: Lamb with tzatziki sauce, flank steak with chimichurri, pepper-crusted ahi tuna, baked brie with maple and pecans, and chipotle-roasted cauliflower tacos.
RESERVE ROSÉ, 2022
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietals: Syrah (67%), Cabernet Franc (20%), Merlot (13%)
Vineyard: Various South Okanagan vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 3.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,924
Appearance: Bright. Pale salmon colour.
Nose: A lovely bouquet of cherry, orange, pear, and a hint of mint.
Palate: Medium acid, light tannin, medium body. Tantalizing notes of strawberry and red cherry on the palate with a round mouthfeel. Well-structured with a long finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Black forest ham with pineapple and cranberry chutney, shrimp cocktail, chicken shawarma, vegetarian calzone, and Buffalo chicken wings.
RESERVE MERLOT, 2020
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.1%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 2,060
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby core.
Nose: Beautiful aromas of violets, black cherry jam, black licorice, and savoury green herbs.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Bold notes of blackcurrant, dark cherry, black tea, and black pepper. Well-balanced and dry with ripe tannins.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1–2 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Roasted lamb shank, ribeye steak, savoury Irish stew, pasta Bolognese, and vegetarian fajitas with chipotle sour cream.
RESERVE CABERNET FRANC, 2021
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,147
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby colour.
Nose: Aromas of blackcurrant jam, black cherry, savoury vegetal notes, and black peppercorn.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Fruit-forward flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, and cassis. Great structure and balance with well-integrated tannins and a round mouthfeel.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Beef stroganoff, green lentil curry, chicken cacciatore, grilled lamb chops marinated in rosemary and garlic, and seafood and tomato fregola.