There is a small winery located in the East Kelowna countryside that is a true Gem! In 2022 It was once again named Best Performing Small winery in Canada and rank at #3 among all wineries. Thanks in great part to winemaker Grant Stanley and vineyard Manager Lisa Janzen. That winery is Spearhead.
I arrived early and to my delight the wine shop was already open and I was warmly greeted by manager Jenny Simpson.
It was a beautiful day the patio was open and Jenny guided me through a very relaxing and enjoyable tasting experience. It could not have been better.
Jenny has a Arts and History degree from University of Calgary. However her fascination with wine leads her to feed her appetite for wine education. Jenny holds her WSET Level 3, International Sommelier Guild Level 2, Canadian and French Wine Scholar, Alsace Masters Certificate, and is currently in the Bordeaux Master Program.
Grant is a dual citizen of Canada and New Zealand; the latter is where he began his career working in the vineyards of Marlborough. Equipped with winery internships and diplomas in viticulture and winemaking from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology he moved to the North Island where he became a willing and humble slave to the high priests of Pinot Noir in Martinborough. His A-type personality soon led him to become compulsive, obsessive and devoted to Pinot Noir. In 2003, after 15 vintages with prestigious wineries in New Zealand and Oregon’s Willamette valley he was attracted to the incredible potential for growing and making high quality Pinot Noir in the Okanagan Valley.
Lisa comes from a family of entrepreneurs and hospitality managers. Her father pioneered the customer service scene in the Okanagan, mentoring Lisa from a young age. Her knowledge and passion for food and wine stems from this. After a decade spent in the food and beverage industry Lisa decided to switch gears and return to school. She obtained her Diploma in Viticulture though Okanagan College in Penticton and joined the Spearhead team in 2013.
SpearHead Winery made it to the top three finalists for Excellence in Agriculture in the Kelowna Business Excellence Awards for 2022.
Two amazing wines
The winery has an excellent cellar of wines starting with their Pinot Gris 2022 featuring hints of grapefruit , honeydew and lemon. The Chardonnay starts with a nice aroma of tropical fruits followed by baked apple with a touch of sweetness. The riesling suburb Lemon and apple flavours.
The 2021 Club Consensus Pinot noir just out of this world. Perfection in a bottle.
Now if you are a Late Harvest fan their Late Harvest is to die for!!
Thank you Jenny
Our Okanagan Trip 2023
