Stag’s Hollow adds new vineyard

Photo: Winemaker Keira LeFranc

Stag’s Hollow Winery now has three vineyards in the Okanagan Falls sub-appellation, following the acquisition of a recently established vineyard across the road from its 18-acre (15 acres planted) Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard. So far, no details have been released on the size of the property. However, the plantings include Chardonnay and Riesling. “We have not had the pleasure of making Riesling here at the winery in over five years,” writes Erica McIntosh, the winery’s sales and marketing coordinator.

The varietals grown in the three vineyards provide Stag’s Hollow with an extensive and interesting portfolio. The estate vineyard, with 7.7 acres planted, provides in winery with three clones of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Tempranillo, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Ottonel and Vidal, with some of the vines planted in 1987. In May this year, Chardonnay was added to the vineyard. Shuttleworth Creek, which has been planted since 2011, provides the winery with seven clones of Pinot Noir, Gamay, Tempranillo, Dolcetto, Teroldego, Syrah, Orange Muscat, Albariño and Vidal. My hat goes off to winemaker Keira LeFranc for her ability to deal with that many varietals and make them all well. Here are notes on the wines.

Stag’s Hollow Sauvignon Blanc 2022 ($26 for 425 cases). The wine begins with aromas of lime leading to zesty flavours of lime and tropical fruits. The finish is very long. 91.

Stag’s Hollow Albariño 2022 ($26 for 460 cases). This Iberian grape variety seems right at home in the Okanagan. Winemaker Keira LeFranc, who had made several vintages of this varietal, says the 2022 is her favourite. The wine was fermented in a combination of concrete, stainless steel and barrels. That and the increasing maturity of Stag’s Hollow’s Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard accounts for some of the complexity in the wine. It begins with seductive aromas of lime and tropical fruits which are echoed on the palate. The acidity is bright, making for a refreshing finish. There is also a spine of minerality that pulls it all together. This is also my favourite Albariño from this winery. 93.

Stag’s Hollow Renaissance Chardonnay 2021 ($35 for 400 six-pack cases, 36 magnums). This is the winery’s first Chardonnay in 11 years. Clearly, they will not wait that long for the next one. This is a complex wine, with aromas of peach and almond leading to buttery flavours of ripe apple mingled with citrus. The texture is creamy and the finish is very long. 92.

Stag’s Hollow Tragically Vidal 2022 ($8 a 250 ml can). The Vidal grape is one of the few French hybrid varietals still grown in the Okanagan after the 1988 pullout. That is why the previous owners of the winery dubbed the wine Tragically Vidal. Perhaps putting it a can, not a bottle, is another demotion … or just a clever commercial move. It is a pleasant wine with aromas of melon that lead to flavours of honeydew melon, gooseberry and grapefruit. The residual sugar is nicely balanced with the acidity. The cans are in a four-pack. Total production was 200 flats of 24. 89.

Stag’s Hollow Moscato Frizzante 2022 ($8 a 250 ml can). The cans are in a four-pack. Total production was 200 flats of 24. The wine is light (10.5% alcohol), with floral and spicy aromas leading for flavours of citrus and stone fruit. The bubbles are not apparent in the glass but are there on the palate. The wine is crisp and refreshing, with a finish balanced to dryness. 89.

Stag’s Hollow Dolcetto Rosato 2022 ($25 for 179 cases). This thespian wine presents with what the winery calls an “electric magenta” colour. The aromas are equally dramatic: cherry and plum mingled with cranberry. The palate is tangy and spicy with flavours of cherry, pomegranate and sour cherries. 90.

Stag’s Hollow Dolcetto 2020 ($26 for 237 cases). Dark in colour, the wine was fermented both in concrete and in stainless steel. It begins with earthy but fruity aromas … plum mingled with licorice. It is rich on the palate, with flavours of plum, blueberry, blackberry and licorice. 91.