Winery Recommendation: Chain Reaction, Naramata Bench

Chain Reaction: Life Changing Wine & Pizza 

​It’s a very modern logo - a sleek cyclist in motion - and it perfectly captures the spirit of Linda and Joel Chamaschuk. This logo highlights the epiphany and radical lifestyle change: trading high-tech careers on the coast for the life of farming grapes on the Naramata Bench. Yes, Chain Reaction Winery is filled with heart and soul and possibly blood, sweat and tears. While their aim is world-class Pinot Noir, a brilliant COVID-era pivot made them famous for fermented crust, wood-fired pizza, too. This is a story about a couple who took a chance on the Okanagan Valley and is making their mark by building community around what they love - wine and pizza.

Chain of Events

​The winery's name, Chain Reaction, is a nod to their cycling passion, the chain of events that brought them from Ladner to this five-acre former apricot and peach orchard, and the actual chemical process that transforms grapes into wine. Their estate vineyard, purchased in 2018, was an orchard and now mostly converted to vines. It has the desirable western-sloping aspect, that soaks up that hot summer, Okanagan sun. Their grape focus? The famous but notoriously fickle Pinot Noir - a vine that, as the saying goes, can easily break your heart. 

BC vs Burgundy

A sign you won't see in Burgundy.

Pinot Noir is famous for expressing its terroir, perhaps most famously in Burgundy, but the new world and the Naramata Bench offers conditions that are truly unique and expressions that tell a story. 

• Elevation-Fueled Acidity: Planted at a cooler 49 degree latitude than that of Côte d'Or, the Bench guarantees a fairly consistent diurnal shift, (the drop in temperature from sunny, hot days to cool nights) which locks in the natural acidity and freshness that is a signature of BC wine.
• Aridity & Clean Air: The region’s arid climate, coupled with a constant lake breeze, naturally protects the vine canopy reducing disease pressure. 
• Soil Story: While Burgundy draws its complexity from millions of years of limestone, clay, and marl, Naramata Bench offers a more dramatic profile. Here, the mineral-rich, ancient glacial soils and granite bedrock—topped with a layer of sandy topsoil, impart a subtle minerality that contributes to the wine's perfume and stony tension on the finish.

Wine Recommendations

Winemaker Joel is crafting wines of a clear focus. The 2022 Pinot Noir Pendulum ($32), aged in 15% second fill oak barrels, shows beautiful balance. It delivers earthy spice, bright cherry, and a seriously long finish. This is "bench" pinot noir.
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For the cellar, the 2022 Pinot Noir Reserve from their estate vineyard ($42) is even more compelling although only available for wine club members. Aged in large oak puncheons, it's dry, silky, muddled cherry, and baking spice, all supported by the high-acid backbone of a truly great, food-friendly wine.  If you miss this one, don't fret. The 2023 Reserve Pinot Noir - a bit of a bolder style - is available..

Why not join one of the wine clubs: Cycle 6 Club and Peloton Club reward members with wine, a 10% discount on all purchases, and free pizzas (plus 20% off additional pies). Check out the benefits and join the club here!

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Pizza Perfection

This pizza is not just good - it's great. It tastes of authentic Napoli, with a little crust burn from the wood-fired oven. The secret is the dough, handmade daily with high-quality OO Italian flour and given a languid 24–48 hours to ferment. This long process builds incredible flavour, aids digestibility and results in an unparalleled texture that is somehow both soft and crunchy at the same time. While a high-acid Chianti is the classic match for tomato sauce, Chain Reaction's medium-bodied, elegant Pinot Noir turns the pairing up an elegant notch. But the ultimate pairing? Try the 2024 Ballin Jack Riesling with the top selling pizza in August - Orchard Peach Pizza. It's sensory perfection. The off-dry Riesling is vibrant, with fresh stone fruit flavours and aromas hitting that classic high acidity octave which effortlessly cuts the richness of the cheese, while the hot honey captures the final sweet and spicy note that makes this a melody of perfect marriage of food and wine. 

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Economic Sustainability

You've heard that farmers talk a lot about weather—but have you heard about the roadblocks in the wine biz in BC? We all know the punchline about farmers: they curse the weather 24/7. And, as any Okanagan grower can tell you, there's been plenty of cursing in the last five years. But weather isn't the only stumbling block in BC. 

Chain Reaction, like every small BC producer, is currently navigating the extreme challenges presented by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) - paperwork and slow process, a problem recently exacerbated by the ongoing BCGEU job action. The paper work that some might call bureaucratic red tape along with slow process is a system that adds to the financial burden these local businesses have to bare bringing wine to market. It’s a stark reminder that the LDB in BC is long overdue for a modern update. Speak to your MLA.

Good Wine Gal's Takeaway

​Despite the challenges in the BC wine industry, Chain Reaction is a shining example of passion battling logistics. It reminds me of David and Goliath. While the big picture issues of distribution are tough, wineries can offer a crucial advantage: direct-to-consumer access. So my dear wine lovers, the best way to support Chain Reaction is to order online. Better yet, ensure you get your Pendulum Pinot or Ballin Jack Riesling, and join one of their fantastic, cycling-themed clubs! Check out the links below.
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As Linda says, "There’s nothing that I enjoy more than pouring a glass of wine after a hard day’s work, and sitting on our patio chairs enjoying our amazing view and watching the sunset." And while she seems to sit less and less, it’s a testament to taking risks and making life changes to follow life’s calling. In this case, where every bottle and every slice create community. Cheers to this pioneering spirit and thank you for the wonderful hospitality. 

Details

Chain Reaction Winery
​Website: https://www.chainreactionwine.com/
​Location: 980 Naramata Road, Penticton BC V2A 8V1
Call: (778) 622-7176
Reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment.