As autumn sweeps across the South Okanagan, the region’s vineyards come alive with the magic of the season. The cooler nights and warm, sun-soaked days create ideal conditions for enjoying wines that embody the richness and warmth of fall. Known for its dry climate and diverse soils, the South Okanagan produces wines that rival some of the world’s most renowned wine regions, offering bold, complex flavours that perfectly suit the changing season.
Fall wines in the South Okanagan are defined by their depth and character, with varietals such as Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc taking on earthy, spiced undertones. These wines reflect the tastes of autumn, with rich notes of dark berries, plum, and subtle hints of oak and tobacco. Paired with hearty fall dishes like roasted meats, root vegetables, and spiced desserts, these wines offer a perfect balance, enhancing the flavours of the season. The influence of the region’s terroir shines through, making these autumn wines a true celebration of the South Okanagan’s unique growing conditions.
Watermark’s Fall Wine Picks For November
Spotlight on Lariana Cellars: Rare Wines from Osoyoos
This month, we’re featuring the exceptional wines from Lariana Cellars, a boutique winery nestled on a 10-acre property in Osoyoos, right along the Canada-US border. Each year, locals in the valley consistently recognize Lariana’s limited-production wines as some of the best. Their lineup includes a Viognier (previously reviewed by us), a Carmenère, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and an annual blend named after its harvest year. These wines are favourites among our team members, thanks to their outstanding quality. However, their small production and high demand make them incredibly rare. At 15 Park, we work diligently with our winery partners to offer exclusive selections like Lariana’s wines for our guests to enjoy.
Lariana Carmenère
The Carmenère is particularly noteworthy, bursting with bold cherry and red currant flavours. Carmenère grown in the Okanagan often risks tasting “green,” but Lariana’s version stands out with vibrant flavours and pronounced pepper notes. Its long finish reveals layers of fruit and herbaceous undertones. We’re currently featuring the 2020 vintage, but it won’t be available for long.
Lariana Blends: Fifteen to Twenty-One
As for Lariana’s blends, spanning from Fifteen to Twenty-One, each vintage showcases the impact of weather on their unique character. These blends, crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and Syrah, offer rich peppery notes, black fruits like plum, and big, spicy finishes. They pair exceptionally well with the hearty, flavourful beef dishes frequently featured on our menu. Don’t miss the chance to savour these extraordinary wines while they last.
Watermark’s Fall Wine Picks For October
Enjoy Richness and Complexity in Every Sip of Syrah
As the weather cools down, we move from cool summer whites to the bigger reds in the valley, specifically Syrah. Also known as Shiraz, Syrah is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine.
Syrah is a bold grape variety known for its deep colour, rich structure, and complex flavours. It thrives in various climates, with cooler regions producing elegant notes of blackberry, plum, and pepper, while warmer areas bring out ripe, jammy fruit and dark spices. In Canada’s South Okanagan, Syrah truly stands out. The region’s warm, sunny days and cool nights create a beautifully balanced expression of the grape, featuring layers of dark fruit, black pepper, and a subtle smokiness. As October arrives, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a rich, full-bodied Syrah, ideal for cozying up on crisp fall evenings.
As the grape varietal that was the most affected by the flash freeze in January, one of the challenges facing the Okanagan wine region, it will become the most difficult varietal to find over the next couple of years. Here are some great South Okanagan wines currently available.
Corcelettes 2021 Syrah
The Corcelettes 2021 Syrah, released September 2024, is a great example of spicy Similkameen Syrah which has been softened out with a bit of Viognier co-fermented during production. The fruit stands out quite well with a few hints of sagebrush which is common in the area where the vineyards for this Syrah once lived and are currently being replanted. With a gap coming in Syrah in particular, buy this while you can! The passion of Corcelettes Estate Winery is evident in this premium red wine aged in 90% French and 10% American oak barrels for 16 months. Ready to drink or safe it for later as it is crafted with the structure to age for a decade.
Nk’Mip Cellars 2020 Qwam Qwmt Syrah
Another notable Syrah on our list is the Nk’Mip Cellars 2020 Qwam Qwmt Syrah which grows right here in the Osoyoos area. The Syrah’s from the Okanagan valley tend to be a lot more fruit forward and jammy than the Syrahs coming from the Similkameen and this one is no different. While it still has the pepper and spice notes, it has a big blueberry flavours to it as well that you get right away off the palate and that holds on throughout the entire, exceptionally long finish as well. Nk’Mip Cellars, North America’s first Indigenous-owned winery, is deeply rooted in the traditions and culture of the Osoyoos Indian Band. With a commitment to authenticity and respect for the land, they produce award-winning wines that reflect the rich history and spirit of their heritage.
Watermark’s Fall Wine Picks For September
A Bold Bordeaux-Style Blend and A Rare Autumn Gem
As the busy summer season winds down, the resort welcomes more conferences, fall weddings, and large group events. There’s something special about wine country celebrations, and nothing elevates the experience quite like a large-format bottle. At 15 Park Bistro, magnums are becoming increasingly popular during this time of year, and the excitement they bring to the table proves that bigger truly is better!Corcelettes Vineyard Talus
Available in magnums, the Corcelettes Vineyard Talus has become a favourite among our guests. This traditional Bordeaux-style blend features Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, all grown in the rugged Similkameen mountains. The stunning bottle design pays homage to this unique terroir. Inside, you’ll find deep dark berry flavours with hints of plum and spice, balanced by the perfect level of tannins and acidity. The 2020 vintage, unfiltered and unfined, continues to age beautifully, offering a long, fruit-forward finish that lingers on the palate. Corcelettes Estate Winery, situated on 150 acres in the pristine Similkameen Valley, combines passion, precision, and science to create expressive, premium small-lot wines.
Vanessa Vineyard 2017 Cabernet Franc
Another special wine coming in the larger format is the Vanessa Vineyard 2017 Cabernet Franc. Renowned for producing exceptional Cabernet Franc, each vintage consistently delivers outstanding quality. Finding a Vanessa Vineyard Cabernet Franc is already difficult enough as it is, but a 2017 in a large format is that much more special and rare. This Cabernet Franc is a deep, rich, medium bodied wine with plum and ripe red fruit flavours like raspberry with the wonderful minerality you get from the wines coming out of the Similkameen Valley. 15 Park Bistro still has a few of these special gems left and once they’re gone, they’re gone for good! The 2019 Cabernet Franc is available online to Vanessa Vineyard wine club members.
A Toast to Autumn’s Bounty: Savouring Fall in a Glass
As the vibrant hues of fall take over the South Okanagan, there’s no better time to savour the region’s exceptional wines. Whether enjoying the deep, warming reds or the aromatic whites, these wines capture the heart of autumn, offering the perfect accompaniment to cosy fireside evenings and seasonal feasts.Discover these featured wines and more on your next visit to 15 Park Bistro, proudly located at Watermark Beach Resort. Browse our menu and book your next dine out experience with us today!
