SpearHead Winery
We were proud to feature SpearHead Winery in April 2021.
SpearHead Winery is located on the benchlands of South East Kelowna. Their focus is on premium quality wine which is produced from grapes grown on their estate vineyard and from selected Okanagan Valley vineyards. The hand harvested grapes are sorted at the winery and fermented in small lots.
SpearHead’s vineyard and winemaking teams are led by Grant Stanley. A highly respected BC winemaker, Grant showcases specific terroirs of the Central Okanagan Valley as evident in the ‘single vineyard’ program they have developed for their pinot noir bottlings. These wines display the unique attributes of the Okanagan vineyards that they were sourced from. They also produce blended pinot noirs which combine the characteristics of different vineyards, including their benchmark Cuvée. They have extended this exclusive approach to winemaking to other varietals including their Chardonnay which is made from a single clone.
Tasting Notes
PINOT GRIS, 2019
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Golden Retreat Vineyard, Summerland
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 6.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,362
Appearance: White gold colour.
Nose: Minerally, peach pit nose with a floral top note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, fresh and lively, white peach and lemon flavours. Beautifully balanced. Well-structured with a lovely mouth-feel and an engaging touch of bitterness on the finish to give added interest.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or hold through 2023.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Edamame and cilantro hummus, charred greens and feta flatbread, beer-battered onion rings, peach and spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and grilled chicken kabobs.
GOLDEN RETREAT PINOT NOIR, 2018
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Golden Retreat Vineyard, Summerland
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 440
Appearance: Deep ruby colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, plum and black cherry nose with smoky, toasty oak notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, richly textured, with flavours of red and black fruits. Beautifully balanced, ripe tannins and fleshy, juicy fruit flavours that hold through the long finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Cellar 1 – 3 years.
Critic Rating: 91 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Kobe beef sliders, sautéed broccoli rabe and potatoes, orange- and ginger-glazed beef jerky, bison kofta meatballs, and panko-breaded pork chops with gravy.
RIESLING, 2019
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Gentleman Farmer Vineyard, SE Kelowna & Seven Mountain Vineyards, West Kelowna
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 579
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Spicy, aromatic, minerally, lime zest bouquet with a hint of petrol.
Palate: Light to medium-bodied, just off-dry, grapefruit and lime flavours with tangy acidity.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now, but will hold for several years.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Sea bass with capers and lemon rice, Persian chicken with turmeric and lime, sweet potato fries with wasabi aioli, rice and refried bean burrito, and pork medallions with blue cheese sauce.
OKANAGAN VALLEY PINOT NOIR, 2019
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Gentleman Farmer Vineyard, SE Kelowna & Golden Retreat Vineyard, Summerland
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.35 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 410
Appearance: Ruby red in colour.
Nose: Intense nose of ripe raspberries, raspberry jam and spicy oak with a note of violets.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, spicy, raspberry flavour touched by oak. Well-structured and firm with ripe tannins, a lively spine of acidity and a juicy raspberry finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will reward cellaring for 1 – 2 years. An elegant wine.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Bourbon chicken with rice and green beans, pumpkin and truffle lasagna, smoked trout with horseradish, chocolate cake with strawberry reduction, and crispy duck spring rolls.
CHARDONNAY CLONE 95, 2018
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Duncan Vineyard, Naramata Bench & Gentleman Farmer Vineyard, SE Kelowna
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 576
Appearance: Medium straw colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty, minerally, apple bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, spicy (clove), slightly smoky, yellow apple flavour with well-integrated toasty oak. Beautifully balanced and lingering. Fine mouth-feel.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 91 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Lentil and rice stuffing, smoked oysters on crackers, lobster pasta with tarragon cream sauce, almond-crusted baked chicken tenders, and halibut with blood orange butter sauce.
OKANAGAN VALLEY PINOT NOIR, 2018
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Gentleman Farmer Vineyard, SE Kelowna & Golden Retreat Vineyard, Summerland
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 375
Appearance: Deeper ruby in colour than the 2019.
Nose: Floral, cedary, raspberry bouquet with an undergrowth note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, smoky-tarry flavours of plum and oak spice with ripe tannins and balancing acidity.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now but can be held 2 – 3 years.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Rigatoni with sausage and peppers, broccoli and cheddar casserole, butternut squash and black bean enchilada, bacon-stuffed mushrooms, and baked brie with sweet pepper jelly.
PINOT NOIR ROSÉ, 2020
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Gentleman Farmer Vineyard, SE Kelowna; Golden Retreat Vineyard, Summerland; Coyote Vineyard, West Kelowna
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 8.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 542
Appearance: Clear, bright. Pale salmon core.
Nose: Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, red apple, and hints of citrus fruit.
Palate: Medium acid, light tannin, medium body. Just off-dry. Cherry, strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, and a light herbal note. Light pepper spice note on the finish. Well balanced.
Quality: Outstanding. 91 points. Drink now or hold for a year. An excellent patio wine.
Food Pairing: Duck confit crostini with parsnip purée, barbecued chicken and feta pizza, spinach salad with cranberries and goat cheese, blackened salmon with cilantro and lime rice, and prosciutto and cantaloupe skewers.
GOLDEN RETREAT PINOT NOIR, 2019
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Golden Retreat Vineyard, Summerland
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.25 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 450
Appearance: Deep ruby colour.
Nose: Smoked meat, plum, anise, and vanilla aromas.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Cassis, black currant, and brambly black fruit.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Consume now or cellar up to 10 years.
Food Pairing: Mashed root vegetables with bacon crumble, sun-dried tomato & eggplant pasta, grilled peach and prosciutto pizza, smoked salmon on a bagel, and tomato soup with grilled cheese.
CUVÉE PINOT NOIR, 2018
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Golden Retreat Vineyard, Summerland & SpearHead Estate Vineyard, Kelowna
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 450
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Medium-dark, brick red colour.
Nose: Cherry, raspberry, vanilla, and floral aromas. Hints of pepper spice and smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Cherry, raspberry, and light plum flavours. Black peppercorn, cedar, green pepper, and a hint of smoke. Well balanced.
Quality: Outstanding. 91 points. Drink now or hold 2-3 years.
Food Pairing: Mongolian meatball ramen, gnocchi with truffled mushrooms, carpaccio with mustard sauce, glazed ham with pineapple and cloves, and rack of lamb with olive tapenade.
COYOTE PINOT NOIR, 2019
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Coyote Vineyard, West Kelowna
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 350
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Light ruby colour.
Nose: Smoke, black pepper, dark cherry with an herbal note.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Spicy black pepper, cedar, dark cherry, blackberry, and a hint of green pepper. Well balanced.
Quality: Outstanding. 91 points. Drink now or hold 2-3 years.
Food Pairing: Filet mignon with peppercorn brandy sauce, seared backstrap with blackberry sauce, jambalaya with okra and sausage, rainbow chard and fennel salad with raspberry dressing, and Peking duck.
SADDLE BLOCK PINOT NOIR, 2019
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Saddle Block on Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.05 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 450
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Medium ruby colour.
Nose: Violets, dark cherry, raspberry, and a hint of smoke and black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium body. Dry. Black pepper, dark cherry, cassis, smoke, cedar, and a slight vegetal note on the finish. Well balanced.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Drink now or hold 3-4 years.
Food Pairing: Southwestern-style ribs, Szechuan tofu and veggies, cheesesteak stuffed peppers, pappardelle with rabbit & chestnut ragù, and chicken tikka masala with basmati rice.
OKANAGAN VALLEY PINOT NOIR, 2017
SpearHead Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Gentleman’s Farmer Vineyard, SE Kelowna; Golden Retreat Vineyard, Summerland; Coyote Vineyard, West Kelowna
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 350
Appearance: Dark ruby colour.
Nose: Aromas of red cherry, spice, and perfume.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Fresh with supple tannins. Red cherry and strawberry flavours with an earthy note. Well-integrated oak.
Quality: Drink now or cellar for 3-5 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Thai turkey lettuce wraps, fudge walnut brownies, seared tuna with soba noodles, gorgonzola-stuffed beef tenderloin, and grilled figs with honeyed mascarpone.