One of the foremost wineries in the Okanagan region is Martin’s Lane, which is part of a group called Iconic Wineries of British Columbia, owned by Anthony von Mandl. This group also includes other notable wineries such as Mission Hill Family Estate, Cedar Creek, CheckMate, Road 13, Liquidity, and Red Barn.
When I first visited, Martin’s Lane was still under construction, but it has since transformed into a stunning facility featuring gravity flow winemaking and an impressive hospitality area. The winery’s focus is exclusively on two grape varieties: Pinot Noir and Riesling, with winemaking led by Kiwi expat Shane Munn from the beginning.
During my latest visit, I met with Shane and the group’s viticulturist, Kurt Simcic, who also hails from New Zealand. The vineyards are managed by Sebastian Farms, which oversees all wineries in the Mark Anthony group. Following the 2024 freeze, Kurt has shifted his efforts toward sourcing grapes from Washington State and Oregon, where he spent much of the growing season.
Kurt expressed enthusiasm about the experience, noting, "We had a pretty good first crack of it, and this year we are looking to refine this a bit more." Shane added that sourcing grapes was not very difficult, despite initially being brought into the process later than others. For the upcoming vintage, he anticipates easier grape sourcing for Pinot Noir in particular since Oregon focuses heavily on that varietal.
Shane noted, “We started by writing our wish list,” and while some growers initially declined, their established relationships will facilitate better sourcing this year. The search for good Chardonnay yields, however, remains challenging compared to Pinot Noir.
Kurt discussed the shifts within their farming practices, mentioning that the group has moved away from being certified organic. He explained that the decision was made due to the need for additional tools in the vineyard, partially due to disease pressures in the southern sites.
Kurt also informed me about the replanting efforts following high mortality in some vineyards, emphasizing that they have replanted areas not producing in 2024 and are introducing more Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in these spots as they look toward the future.
One unique feature of the winery’s landscape is a striking 2m x 3m sculpture of Vincent Van Gogh’s head by Douglas Coupland, celebrating the "genetic magic" found in both Pinot Noir and redheads.
Despite the challenges, the vineyards show promise for recovery, boasting healthy growth that augurs well for the future. As they anticipate continuing to source grapes from Oregon alongside their existing operations, there’s a possibility that they may offer wines from both regions moving forward.
The Wines
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Martin’s Lane Namarata Ranch Riesling 2023
- Elegant and delicate with crystalline citrus and a fine texture.
- 95/100 ($60)
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Martin’s Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Riesling 2023
- Displays purity with bright lemon and grapefruit notes.
- 94/100 ($65)
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Martin’s Lane Hyland Vineyard Riesling 2024
- Features complex spicy detail and finesse, with both citrus and stone fruit qualities.
- 95/100
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Martin’s Lane Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
- Fresh with a slight grip and supple red cherry fruit.
- 94/100 ($105)
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Martin’s Lane Naramata Ranch Pinot Noir 2022
- Silky with strawberry and cherry notes, showcasing fine-grained detail.
- 96/100 ($105)
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Martin’s Lane Naramata Ranch Zenith Pinot Noir 2022
- Rich and expressive with excellent structure, fruit complexity, and elegance.
- 97/100 ($125)
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Martin’s Lane Naramata Ranch Hieroglyph Pinot Noir 2022
- Distinctive and expressive with a firm structure and red fruit focus.
- 96/100 ($125)
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Martin’s Lane Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
- Dense with a floral essence and hints of chocolate and cherry.
- 95/100 ($105)
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Martin’s Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
- A powerful yet intricate wine showcasing an intense finish.
- 95/100 ($150)
For more information, visit Martin’s Lane Winery.