The Okanagan has a way of revealing itself in layers. Move south past the Naramata Bench and its 2025 Pinot Gris wines and you arrive at Okanagan Falls, a region closer to Watermark Beach Resort and one with a character all its own. Pinot noir and chardonnay dominate the hillsides here, and the wines carry a distinct minerality in the texture. Once you’ve experienced it a few times, it becomes easy to identify.
The 2022 growing season was one of the stronger vintages in recent Okanagan memory. Two Okanagan Falls wineries made the most of it, and both are now on the 15 Park wine list.
Okanagan Falls: The Heart Of Wine Country
Image credit: Stag’s Hollow Winery
Okanagan Falls sits approximately 40 kilometres north of Watermark Beach Resort, at the southern end of Skaha Lake. In 2018, it became the second sub-geographical indicator (sub-GI) designated in British Columbia, a formal recognition of what producers here had long believed: that this stretch of the South Okanagan has a terroir profile unlike anywhere else in the valley.
The region is particularly well suited to pinot noir and chardonnay, with glacially carved terrain that creates distinct microclimates across relatively short distances. What the wines share is a distinct minerality in the texture: an earthy, structured quality that sets them apart from warmer South Okanagan expressions. It is a signature that becomes easy to identify, and one that makes Okanagan Falls 2022 pinot noir especially well suited to food.
Two Wines, One Vintage, One Appellation
2022 started with a cold, wet spring, but then had a dramatic summer turnaround with consistent heat and sun. This combination resulted in incredible harvest conditions, remarkable fruit quality and average to above average yields, ending a run of three short crop years. This made it a standout year for pinot noir in the Okanagan. Both wines on the 15 Park list are from the same region and year, but with two distinct expressions of what Okanagan Falls pinot noir can do.
Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery
Noble Ridge was founded in 2001 when Jim and Leslie D’Andrea purchased a hilltop property on Oliver Ranch Road in Okanagan Falls, drawn by the region’s potential and its distinct terroir. The tasting room opened in 2006 and the winery has grown to produce around 7,500 cases annually, all from estate-grown grapes. Every bottle is hand-tended by a small, dedicated crew.
The winery name reflects both the land and the philosophy: “noble” for the premium European vinifera varieties grown on site, and “ridge” for the natural rise that divides the white and red grape blocks across the property. A three-story gravity-fed winery preserves the wine’s integrity from tank to barrel without mechanical intervention. Noble Ridge has built an international reputation for award-winning pinot noir, sparkling wine and meritage, and has been central to establishing Okanagan Falls as a recognised wine-producing sub-region.
Image credit: Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery
Noble Ridge Lion’s Pride Reserve Pinot Noir 2022
The Noble Ridge Lion’s Pride Reserve made the most of the exceptional growing season. This is a well-balanced Okanagan Falls 2022 pinot noir where the fruit took full advantage of the vintage. On the palate, it offers dark fruit flavours with well-balanced acidity and earthy notes synonymous with the appellation. The finish is long and intense, placing this among the better expressions of Okanagan pinot noir on the list right now.
Stag’s Hollow Winery
Stag’s Hollow Winery has been making wine in Okanagan Falls for 30 years, having launched in 1995 as just the third winery in the area. The name comes from a chance encounter with a fawn in the vineyard and the dramatic kettle hole, known as the “hollow,” that defines the estate’s microclimate and contributes to the character of the wines.
The winery owns three estate vineyards: Stag’s Hollow Estate, Maple Vineyard and Shuttleworth Creek. It was the first winery in the region to adopt geothermal technology for heating and cooling and has consistently pushed the boundaries of what the Okanagan Falls sub-GI can produce. Under current owner Eric Liu and winemaker Keira LeFranc, Stag’s Hollow continues to earn recognition for wines that balance innovation with a deep respect for terroir.
Image credit: Stag’s Hollow Winery
Stag’s Hollow Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
For a different perspective on the same appellation, the Stag’s Hollow Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 makes a compelling comparison to the Noble Ridge. The colour is slightly lighter, with flavours of cherry and strawberry balanced by the same savoury earth notes the region is known for. The finish is long, with pleasant herbal notes on the palate. A more delicate expression of Okanagan Falls pinot noir, and no less rewarding.
Wine & Food At 15 Park
The earthy character running through both Okanagan Falls 2022 pinot noirs makes them natural partners for mushroom dishes and lamb. They also hold their own alongside game meats like venison, for those willing to explore the pairing a little further.
Both wines are currently featured on the 15 Park wine list. Whether you’re joining us for a lakeside dinner or settling in for a longer stay at Watermark, Okanagan Falls 2022 pinot noir is a good place to start your evening.
Visiting Okanagan Falls Wineries From Osoyoos
If you’re making the trip to Okanagan Falls, both wineries are worth the drive from Osoyoos. A few things to know before you go:
- Okanagan Falls is approximately 40 minutes north of Watermark Beach Resort via Highway 97
- Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery is located at 2320 Oliver Ranch Road, Okanagan Falls. Walk-in tastings are available and the outdoor picnic area overlooks the vines and Vaseux Lake
- Stag’s Hollow Winery is located at 2237 Sun Valley Way, Okanagan Falls, a short distance from Noble Ridge. The tasting room is boutique, so arriving early in peak season is advised
- Both wineries are open seasonally, so confirm hours before visiting
- The full Okanagan Falls wine route covers 12 producers across the sub-GI, making it an easy half-day or full-day itinerary from Osoyoos
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Okanagan Falls pinot noir different from other BC pinot noir?
Okanagan Falls is a designated sub-geographical indicator (sub-GI) within the South Okanagan, recognised for its distinct terroir. The glacially carved terrain creates microclimates that suit pinot noir and chardonnay particularly well. The wines carry a pronounced minerality in the texture, an earthy, structured quality that sets them apart from warmer South Okanagan expressions further south, and from the cooler, more aromatic style of the Naramata Bench to the north.
Was 2022 a good vintage for Okanagan Falls pinot noir?
Where can I taste Okanagan Falls 2022 pinot noir near Osoyoos?
What food pairs well with Okanagan Falls pinot noir?
What is the Lion's Pride Reserve?
Image credit: Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery
David McBean is the General Manager of Watermark Beach Resort and a trained sommelier. His wine selections for 15 Park draw from across BC’s wine regions, with a focus on producers who reflect the character of their appellation.
