Stag's Hollow is the fulfillment of Larry
Gerelus and Linda Pruegger's dream. Situated on a picturesque bench surrounded
by mountains, lakes, vineyards, and nature reserves, they are located just south
of Okanagan Falls on 10 acres of prime grape growing land. From the beginning, hands on owners, Larry Gerelus & Linda Pruegger, believe their passion and involvement in every aspect of the vineyard and winemaking process has created a unique style. This style is a fusion of both Old and New world. The winery was founded July 1 1996.
In 2006, the “Hollow”, part of the estate vineyard, was finally planted to Tempranillo. Tempranillo was chosen as the microclimate in the Hollow seemed to be similar to the growing region in Spain. Tempranillo, ‘meaning early ripener’, in Spanish, thrives at higher elevations where the days are really hot but the nights are cool.
In 2008, owner Larry Gerelus handed the winemaking off to Dwight Sick, whose talents and passion have continued to create interesting, unique, and quality wines.
The Stag’s Hollow estate vineyard has a very unique and interesting geological history. Kettles holes are fluvioglacial landforms occurring as a result of blocks of ice calving from the front of a receding glacier and becoming partially to wholly buried by glacial outwash. The Hollow remained after the ice age retreated. Stony glacial fluvial soils – otherwise known as gravel…left behind after this retreat, are ideal for growing grapes and creating wines with intensity. The Merlot and Pinot Noir blocks, now exceeding 20 years of age, are on the southwest facing slopes of the Hollow. These two blocks pick up significant solar radiation that allows for consistent ripening even in difficult vintages. Without question, this phenomena has created one of the most distinctive landscapes in the Okanagan Valley.
In 2011, another 18 acres of raw land was purchased 2 kms north of the home vineyard. Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, named for the creek that runs through it, is home to exciting new varieties with their history from Spain and Italy. Albarino and Tempranillo, and two not so well known Italian varieties – Dolcetto and Teroldego were planted.
Perhaps the most important thing one can say about Stag's Hallow is their consistant quality over the years, maintaing a very good cellar of fine wines. It was the 2nd OKanagan winery that Barbara and I visited on our first trip to the Okanagan. It is long past time to return.
2017 All Canadian Wine Championships
Gold – 2014 Renaissance Merlot
Silver – 2014 Tempranillo
Silver – 2014 Merlot
Bronze – 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Stag’s Hollow Vineyard
2017 Cascadia Wine Competition
Double Gold, Best in Class – 2016 Albarino
Gold – 2016 Syrah Grenache Rose
2017 British Columbia Wine Awards
Gold – 2015 Syrah
Silver – 2015 Shuttleworth Creek Pinot Noir