Winery: Noble Ridge Estate & Vineyards, Okanagan Falls, BC

Meet the Women Who Rock this Noble Ridge 

Get ready, wine lovers, because I have to tell you about one of my favourite spots in Okanagan Falls, BC.!

Noble Ridge Estate Winery, tucked just south of Okanagan Falls, is so much more than a stunning view and delicious bubbles. It’s a story of passion, commitment, and a deep love for the land, all coming together in the wine glass. If you are interested in women in wine and winery sustainability, read on. 

​​I've always admired Leslie D'Andrea—a true force in the wine world—and her husband Jim. They founded Noble Ridge with a profound vision to craft extraordinary wines. The first time we met, it was 2016 at a Noble Ridge wine dinner hosted by Paul Martin at Feast in West Vancouver. Until that evening, I had no idea the extensive offering of Noble Ridge or the fantastic bubbles they were making. 

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Welcome Libby Nixon

Their vision has carried forward by an incredible team that includes most recently a talented wine women, Libby Nixon, their new Assistant Winemaker and Assistant Viticulturist. Originally from the land down under, Libby's experience and fresh perspective are set to take these wines to the next level. I'm so excited to taste the results!​ While Libby brings her talent to the team, the whole crew is what makes the magic happen. Benoît Gauthier, Director of Viticulture & Winemaking, has his eyes on every vine, ensuring the grapes reach their full potential. The collaboration and shared passion of this team are truly inspiring, proving that when good people come together, they can craft award winning wines. 

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A Terroir of Distinction

​This isn't an easy place to farm! The terroir has steady winds and challenging frost pockets. But Leslie and Jim are brilliant problem-solvers who embrace sustainable viticulture and winemaking. Noble Ridge is a testament to this commitment, from the ingenious Geneva Double Curtain trellising that helps the vines thrive on site, to the "Crafted in BC" Villcus label itself, a wine whose name celebrates stewardship, both demonstrating a deep commitment to the surviving and thriving with the earth in hand.

​Noble Ridge is part of community of wineries that have organized as "Heart of Wine Country", all situated on glacially carved land in the Okanagan Falls Sub-GI. This rare terroir creates distinct micro-climates, which allows the team to cultivate both Burgundian and Bordeaux varietals. This is why you'll find five unique categories of estate wines from this one special spot - Noble Ridge. Benoit sees this as a truly great opportunity and one of the key advantages of BC's Okanagan. Here there is an opportunity to take advantage of microclimates that allows Noble Ridge to maximize the breadth and depth of their offering based on the grapes growing and wine production, an offering at one winery, like no other wine region in the world. 

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The Wines You Must Try

​​And oh, the wines! The flagship sparkling program is an absolute dream. ​The flagship sparkling program is an absolute dream. The 2021 Blanc de Blanc, made in the traditional method, bursts with toasty notes of brioche and nuts, all balanced by a fine backbone of zesty citrus. Don’t miss the 2017 Grand Reserve, either, which earned its place in my cellar. In terms of "Crafted in BC", Noble Ridge introduced a new label with three styles of wine.

The Vilicus series—a Pinot Grigio, Viognier, and Pinot Gris Viognier blend are tasty and delicious from grapes sourced in Washington. This is a powerful example of the team's resilience to ensure a vintage after the devastating winter freezes. This move highlights their dedication to the craft, and their wine club community.

Conclusion

Noble Ridge is more than a winery—it’s a shining star and an open door to discovering what it takes to survive and thrive in this challenging BC wine industry. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend booking a tasting and sipping bubbles while soaking up the stunning view and warm hospitality. Just be sure to tell them Good Wine Gal sent you! 🥂 Book online here. Cheers.

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