Winery Visit: Meyer Family Vineyards & Okanagan Falls

Meyer Family Vineyards: Terroir in Every Sip

In late August, I was touring the south Okanagan and had the pleasure of tasting through some of the latest releases from Meyer Family Vineyards. From their stellar Chardonnays to their classic Pinot Noirs, the portfolio showcases the incredible terroir of the Okanagan Falls wine region. The tasting included food pairings from soft creamy brie to serious salami with toasted almonds and queen olives in between. Here's the link to the "Small Bites" tasting I enjoyed and below are my notes. This was a perfect end to a very adventurous day in the southern Okanagan valley.

McLean Creek Road & Okanagan Falls

As a gal who believes the best wines have a story to tell, I know the possibilities are endless as are the wine regions on my bucket list. Yes, it all starts with the place. So, when I had the opportunity to visit Meyer Family Vineyards and taste their latest releases, I was on it. As I sat there staring at "Peach Cliff Bluff", I was reminded of the power and longevity of mother earth. The granite bedrock and majestic mountains of the Okanagan Falls have been shaped this region and these wines forever.

The Okanagan Falls area is a geologic unicorn, formed from receding glaciers 12,000 years ago. The key stats are:

• Latitude: A cool 49.34°N (hello, ideal cool-climate conditions!).
• Elevation: Vines sit pretty at 400 – 500 m above sea level.
• Climate: It’s all about the Wind & Lake/River Effect, keeping those grapes pristine. They get less than 12 inches of rain a year, but still clock in at 1400 degree growing days—the perfect recipe for ripening finesse for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

​And while Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the grapes of this region (making up about 75% of the plantings!), Meyer’s home vineyard on McLean Creek Road boasts a heritage block of old vines Gewürztraminer planted way back in 1994, showcasing the diversity that's possible here. And it's delicious.

​​The Master Behind the Magic: Chris Carson

The connection between this exceptional landscape and the delicious wine is the hands-off approach of winemaker Chris Carson. His philosophy of limited intervention demonstrates the power of expertise and excellent quality fruit. Chris allows the terroir and season to shine through. The incredible wines tasted are a testament to knowing how to make "good wine" and  trust in the vineyard.

Meyer Family Chardonnay

​Meyer Family’s philosophy focuses on small lot production, using French oak barrels, made from carefully selected, top quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown in healthy soils that nourish the vineyards. Leaning into traditional French Burgundian stylings, for almost two decades, Meyer Family has been making premium wine with two grapes that are standouts in this special corner of the Okanagan Valley. ​

​The tasting started off with a trio of Chardonnays, each a unique expression of its home vineyard. ​

 2024 Chardonnay "Columbia River Plateau"

The 2024 Chardonnay ($21), sourced from the Columbia Valley Plateau, was a delight. With a beautiful golden hue in the glass, this wine presented a warm, buttery, and nutty nose, complete with notes of stone fruit. On the palate, it was medium bodied, well-balanced and suited the memorable pairing of "truffle butter popcorn."

2023 Chardonnay "McLean Creek Road"

​Next, the 2023 Chardonnay ($32) from their McLean Creek Vineyard in Okanagan Falls offered a completely different profile. This wine was fresh and bright, with vibrant citrus notes of lemon, grapefruit, and orange peel. The palate had a lovely hint of buttered toast, and the finish was bright and spicy with a touch of lemon balm. A note from the cellar mentioned that 2023 was a year with very little fruit but very good concentration of flavours. 

2022 Micro Cuvee Chardonnay

​The final Chard the exceptional 2022 Micro Cuvée ($60). This wine is a selection of the "best barrels" from an old, north-facing block on the Naramata Bench/Old Main Road. It saw 50% new oak, which framed this classic style with hints of toast, green pineapple, caramel, and a medley of yellow grapefruit and lemon citrus. This is a wine built for food and was a perfect match to the bite of brie and orange marmalade on a toasted baguette. 

​Meyer Family Pinot Noir

The Pinot Noir lineup was equally impressive, showing both the fruit-forward charm of the 2023 vintage and the structured complexity of the older wines.

2023 Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road

​The 2023 Pinot Noir ($37) from the McLean Creek Road vineyard was a pleasure. The nose was full of ripe, warm berry/ripe cherry compote, a characteristic I love. The wine was incredibly drinkable, with a silky and smooth structure that makes it perfectly versatile. I like it with a little fridge time for a slight chill, especially in the heat.

Need to Know

Are you planning a late fall trip to the Okanagan?
​
Visit the Winery: Meyer Family Vineyard ​4287 McLean Creek Rd, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia V0H 1R1
Website: mfvwines.com
Hours: Daily 11 - 5 pm, year around

2023 "Old Block" Pinot Noir 

Moving to the 2023 Old Block ($47), this was a more serious expression of Pinot Noir. The nose had a lovely spice component, with wafts of cinnamon. The palate was bright and fresh, but with a beautiful structure. This wine paired fantastically with aged cheeses and cured meats like the Pecorino and Sopressata that were offered.

2022 Micro Cuvee Pinot Noir (Sold Out)

​The 2022 Micro Cuvée ($60) Pinot Noir was a wow. Sourced from a south-facing block planted with the Pommard clone, this wine showed a classic Pinot Noir nose of toasty cherry and spice. In the glass, it had a clear, bright ruby hue. On the palate, it offered good acidity and a complex profile of walnut bark, earth, cinnamon, berry, and oak spice. The finish was long and memorable. 

Support BC Wine

​The wines from Meyer Family Vineyards continue to impress, offering a clear and delicious sense of place. I can't wait to see what they have in store next. Let's support local by following Meyer Family on social, shopping online for your favorite style or joining the wine club - if they have room. 

Thanks for reading. Please share with your wineloving friends. The more we share the more we elevate. Cheers to the power of the people. Thanks for being a wine lover.