Okanagan Crush Pad
We were proud to feature Okanagan Crush Pad in August 2023.
Summerland’s Okanagan Crush Pad was founded on a long history of friendship, and shared respect for the land. With an experienced and passionate team, Okanagan Crush Pad creates small-lot, vineyard-driven 100% BC VQA wines. The winery is home to the portfolios of Haywire, Narrative, Free Form, and Bizou + Yukon wines. Their onsite Switchback Vineyard is Certified Organic and vegan. They operate with nature’s best interests in mind, consistently expanding their sustainable wine-growing practices and creating fruit-forward wines that are never rushed and never disappoint.
Wines included in your package:
Enthusiast Red & White: 2022 Haywire King Family Vineyard Pinot Gris, 2018 Narrative Cabernet Franc
Enthusiast Red Only: 2018 Narrative Cabernet Franc, 2021 Haywire Pinot Noir
Enthusiast White Only: 2020 Haywire Secrest Mountain Chardonnay, 2019 Free Form Vin Gris
Expert Red & White: 2022 Haywire King Family Vineyard Pinot Gris, 2018 Narrative Non-Fiction, 2021 Haywire Pinot Noir
Expert Red Only: 2018 Narrative Cabernet Franc, 2021 Haywire Pinot Noir, 2018 Narrative Non-Fiction
Expert White Only: 2019 Free Form Vin Gris, 2019 Haywire Switchback Pinot Gris, 2020 Haywire Secrest Mountain Chardonnay
Master Red & White: 2019 Free Form Vin Gris, 2019 Haywire Switchback Pinot Gris, 2020 Haywire Secrest Mountain Chardonnay, 2018 Narrative Cabernet Franc, 2021 Haywire Pinot Noir, 2018 Narrative Non-Fiction
Master Red Only: 2018 Narrative Cabernet Franc, 2021 Haywire Pinot Noir, 2018 Narrative Non-Fiction, 2020 Narrative Red, 2021 Haywire Gamay, 2019 Narrative Malbec
Tasting Notes
HAYWIRE KING FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT GRIS, 2022
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley Naramata Bench
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: King Family Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 2,900
Appearance: Pale straw with a green tint.
Nose: Minerally, peach pit bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, white peach flavour, fresh and lively on the palate with a racy finish of lemony acidity.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Veal parmesan, mussels in lemon-garlic butter sauce, ahi tuna poké bowl, spicy chickpea avocado cucumber bites, and fettuccine alfredo.
NARRATIVE CABERNET FRANC, 2018
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Organic vineyards in Kaleden and Osoyoos
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 0.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,100
Appearance: Cherry red in colour.
Nose: Woodsy nose of redcurrant and green herbs.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, lean and sinewy redcurrant and cranberry flavours carried on lively acidity. Green pepper note on the finish. Well-structured with ripe tannins.
Quality: 89 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+. Drinking well now but the bouquet should evolve with a year or two in bottle.
Food Pairing: Grilled steak ratatouille with saffron rice, cheddar-stuffed perogies with caramelized onions, slow-cooked citrus-pulled pork tacos, creamy butter chicken, and beef stroganoff.
HAYWIRE SECREST MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY, 2020
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Secrest Mountain Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 608
Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Toasty, apple nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry. Creamy, richly extracted apple flavour.
Quality: 89 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+. Drink now and through 2024.
Food Pairing: Garlic-mushrooms and Brie crostini, barbecued chicken pizza, pan-fried lobster and scallop ravioli, baked halibut with asparagus, and cowboy caviar.
HAYWIRE PINOT NOIR, 2021
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Various Okanagan Valley vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.35 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,784
Appearance: Ruby colour with a tawny rim.
Nose: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, raspberry nose with a herbal note.
Palate: Well-balanced, well-integrated oak. Elegant, with a rich mouthfeel.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1 – 2 years.
Food Pairing: Beet salad with goat cheese, chili-ginger lamb chops, butternut squash and gouda potstickers, crispy pan-seared salmon, and filet mignon.
FREE FORM VIN GRIS, 2019
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Garnet Valley Ranch
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 531
Appearance: Pale gold in colour.
Nose: Wild strawberry nose with a thread of minerality.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, ripe red apple flavour with balancing acidity. Lovely mouthfeel and elegant, a seamless wine.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.
Food Pairing: Kale and pesto lasagna rolls, coconut and macadamia-crusted salmon, flatbread with hummus and sun-dried tomatoes, jerk shrimp and pineapple rice bowls, and Mediterranean chickpea salad.
NARRATIVE NON-FICTION, 2018
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (4.5%), Cabernet Franc (4.5%)
Vineyard: Vineyards in Osoyoos and Kaleden
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,125
Appearance: Ruby-purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, toasty, spicy blackcurrant and black plum bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, redcurrant and blackcurrant flavours. Well-structured and beautifully balanced.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Gourmet macaroni and cheese with bacon and breadcrumbs, chicken and sausage jambalaya, grilled mushroom and swiss cheese burgers, steak au poivre, and grilled tomatoes with goat cheese, olive oil, and rosemary.
HAYWIRE SWITCHBACK PINOT GRIS, 2019
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Switchback Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,019
Appearance: Bright. Light golden colour.
Nose: Lovely bouquet of white flowers, green apple, stone fruit, a touch of honeycomb, and a creamy note.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Flavours of red apple, nectarine, peach pit, melon, and a savoury herbal note. Nicely balanced with lively acidity.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Curried chicken skewers with lime, Italian wedding soup, spinach, mushroom, and swiss cheese quiche, garlic-baked pork tenderloin, and grilled squid with Thai-style dressing.
NARRATIVE RED, 2020
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Gamay (57%), Merlot (22.8%), Cabernet Franc (20.2%)
Vineyard: Vineyards in Osoyoos, Kelowna, and Oliver
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,156
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Ruby red colour.
Nose: Aromas of red cherry, blackberry, green pepper, menthol, and a hint of smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Notes of black raspberry, anise, cigar box, savoury green herbs, and a hint of green pepper. Well balanced with silky tannins.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Chicken tagine with apricots and olives, fried calamari with spicy aioli, charcuterie with prosciutto and camembert, chargrilled cod with coconut relish, and grilled portobello mushrooms with garlic and rosemary.
HAYWIRE GAMAY, 2021
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Gamay
Vineyard: Various East Kelowna vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 974
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Ruby red colour.
Nose: A bold bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, leather, clove, and a green herbal note.
Palate: Medium acid, medium- tannin, medium body. Complex flavours of dark cherry, black raspberry, clove, dried tea leaf, and a green vegetal note.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Enjoy now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Falafels with tahini, chicken marsala, spicy Korean pork belly and squid stir fry, yellowtail tuna rolls, and sweet potato and coconut curry with roti.
NARRATIVE MALBEC, 2019
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Malbec
Vineyard: Cabana Vineyard, Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13.6%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 504
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Ruby coloured core.
Nose: Alluring aromas of violet, blackberry and blackcurrant jam, licorice, tomato leaf, and leather.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Notes of blueberry, black cherry, dark raspberry, cassis and savoury green herbs. Beautifully balanced with smooth tannins.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Coq au vin, cheesy beef empanadas, salmon tartare, steak fajitas with chipotle sauce, and arancini risotto cakes.
NARRATIVE PINOT BLANC, 2020
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Blanc
Vineyard: Secrest Mountain Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 146
Appearance: Bright. Very pale straw colour.
Nose: Gorgeous aromas of gooseberry, tropical fruit, peach, grapefruit, and citrus.
Palate: Medium acid, light bodied. Mouthwatering acidity with notes of tropical fruit, peach, yellow apple, tangerine, and lime zest. Well balanced with a smooth, clean finish.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Roasted chicken with bell peppers and feta, grilled shrimp with mushrooms and pesto, escargot in garlic and parsley butter, smoked oysters on crackers, and balsamic grilled zucchini.
NARRATIVE CHENIN BLANC, 2020
Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Vineyard: Misconduct Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 253
Appearance: Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: A toasty, baking spice nose is accompanied by floral undertones, stone fruit, green apple, pear, and a hint of minerality.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Guava, tart lemon and lime citrus, and green apple flavours. Well balanced.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Classic fish and chips, crawfish beignets, roasted duck, chicken adobo, and caprese avocado toast.