Spearhead winery, nestled on the Southeast Kelowna slopes in Canada’s Okanagan Valley, is renowned for its cooler climate, ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Established as a boutique winery, Spearhead produces around 5,000 to 6,000 cases a year, focusing mainly on small-lot Pinot. Winemaker Grant Stanley, who honed his skills in New Zealand before returning to Canada, designed a dedicated winery to explore innovative winemaking.
The winery faced challenges due to cold weather in previous years, leading to a complete replanting of its 14-acre vineyard. Originally planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling in 2008, the vineyard now features various clones of Pinot Noir, own-rooted Riesling, Chardonnay, and Marquette, a hybrid grape more resilient to winter temperatures. Sourcing grapes locally and from regions in Washington State and Oregon has helped Spearhead maintain its production despite setbacks.
Grant discusses the winery’s positioning, noting their shift to nearly 95% direct-to-consumer sales and sharing insights about their evolving wine club and production processes. The winery has adapted in response to changes in grape sourcing regulations, ensuring that wines from foreign grapes are marketed effectively within three years.
As the Okanagan valley rebounds, Spearhead continues producing delightful wines, such as the 2024 Dual Citizen series from Washington State, which have garnered high ratings for their quality and flavor profiles:
- Dual Citizen Pinot Gris 2024: Textured, with fresh pear fruit and spicy citrus notes (91/100, CA$24).
- Dual Citizen Carousel Vineyard Riesling 2024: Bright, pure, with sweet citrus fruit and good mid-palate depth (92/100, $26).
- Dual Citizen Sauvignon Blanc Den Hoed Vineyard 2024: Nicely textured, with citrus and melon flavors (91/100, $29).
- Dual Citizen Pinot Noir Rosé 2024: Notable depth with sweet pear and cherry notes (91/100, $26).
Other highlights include local Okanagan wines, such as the Jagged Ridge Pinot Noir 2023 and the Spearhead Pinot Noir Cuvée 2023, both praised for their depth, richness, and complexity (93/100 and 94/100, respectively).
As the winery continues to recover and innovate, Grant remains optimistic about the future of Spearhead and the broader Okanagan region’s ability to produce exceptional wines.
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