Meyer and Mayhem releases from Okanagan and Washington

Photo: Janice Stevens and JAK Meyer: Photo by Noelle Starzynski

The latest releases from Meyer Family Vineyards and Mayhem Wines include vintages from the Okanagan as well 2024 wines made with grapes grown in Washington State. The two wineries are linked by family ownership as well as by some shared facilities near Okanagan Falls. Meyer is owned by JAK Meyer and Janice Stevens. Mayhem is owned by JAK’s sister, Terry Meyer Stone and her partner, Andrew Stone. The Stones also have the Anarchist Mountain Vineyard near Osoyoos.

Notes from each winery explain why these producers (along with many other Okanagan producers) had to turn to Washington vineyards for the 2024 vintage. Mayhem writes: “The 2024 vintage experienced severe cold temperatures in January resulting in roughly 98% crop loss at Anarchist Mountain Vineyard and at many of our growers’ vineyards…. We were able to build new relationships with our American neighbours in Washington State and secure juice for our white and rosé wines. This is a great opportunity that has allowed us to experience a unique terroir in a new wine region.”

Meyer writes: “The 2024 vintage was shaped by exceptionally harsh temperatures in January leading to significant crop loss in our vineyards. As a result … we did not have a harvest. To continue crafting quality wines, we sourced a small amount of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from three vineyards just over the border in the Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area in Washington State.” Happily, the quality of the 2024 vintage in Washington was strong. Meyer writes: “Bud break began in late March with a cool spring and temperatures reaching above average by July. This led to large clusters with small berries, resulting in great quality fruit for winemaking.”

Mayhem’s commentary suggests the Okanagan is bouncing back this year because the vines, while not producing grapes last year, recovered to show healthy growth. “This leaves us very optimistic and excited for the 2025 growing season and beyond. … We are looking forward to producing local Okanagan wines and continuing our partnership with our BC growers.” Here are notes on the wines.

Meyer Old Main Road Chardonnay 2023 ($N/A for 160 cases). The Chardonnay vines were planted in 1996 on the Old Main Road vineyard on the Naramata Bench. The wine started fermentation in stainless steel before being transferred to French oak barrels (25% new) to finish ferment and to age 11 months. The wine begins with buttery aromas mingled with ripe apples and vanilla. The wine is rich on the palate, with flavours of apple and vanilla that go to a long, long finish. The wine is not shy on oak. 94.

Meyer McLean Creek Road Chardonnay 2023 ($32.26 for 373 cases). The long, cool fermentation began in stainless steel and finished in French oak barrels (22% new). The wine aged for 11 months on the lees, without stirring. The wine begins with fresh citrus aromas leading to bright flavours of citrus and apple mingled with a hint of vanilla. The oak is much more restrained than the Old Main Road Chardonnay and the fruit is brighter, with a refreshing finish. 95.

Meyer Chardonnay 2024 ($21.83 for 2,000 cases). The fruit for this wine is from the Yakima Valley AVA in Washington State. The juice was fermented in the Okanagan in stainless steel and aged six months in neutral French oak puncheons, with natural malolactic fermentation. This is a delicious wine. Aromas of apples and pears lead to flavours of apple, pear and peach. 91.

Meyer Pinot Noir Rosé 2024 ($20.96 for 325 cases). The grapes are from vineyards in Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA. A 12-hour skin contact has given the wine an appealing rose petal hue; the wine presents well in the glass. It has aromas and flavours of strawberries and watermelon. 90.

Meyer McLean Creek Road Pinot Noir 2023 ($37.48 for 1,000 cases). This vineyard, where planting began in 1994, is in the Okanagan Falls Sub-GI. There are five clones in this wine: the Pommard clone and Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777. The fruit went into open-top fermenters (25% whole cluster), allowed a cold soak and then was fermented with indigenous yeast for two weeks. The wine was aged in French oak barrels (20% new) for 11 months. It is a robust wine with aromas and flavours of dark cherry, plum and vanilla. There is a hint of spice and toastiness on the finish. 91.

Mayhem Pinot Gris 2024 ($21.83 for 333 cases). The fruit is from the Ancient Lakes AVA in Washington State. The grapes were crushed there and the juice was transported to the Okanagan for a long cool ferment in stainless steel, with 19% finishing ferment in seasoned puncheons. The wine spent four months resting on fine lees before bottling. The wine delivers mouth filling flavours of peaches and apples. 88.

Mayhem Anarchy Pinot Gris 2024 ($26.18 for 165 cases). The fruit for this wine is from a vineyard in Washington’s Ancient Lakes AVA. It has a long, cool fermentation in the Okanagan in stainless steel, followed by seven months of aging in stainless steel (47%), a ceramic ball (39%) and neutral puncheons (14%). All of this resulted in a complex wine that begins with lovely orchard fruit aromas. The palate delivers flavours of citrus and nectarine, with a long finish. 92.

Mayhem Sauvignon Blanc 2024 ($21.83 for 544 cases). The fruit for this wine came from vineyards in Washington’s Wahluke Slope AVA. The wine was fermented cool over a seven-week period, with 89% in stainless steel and 11% in a seasoned barrique. The fine was aged four months on fine lees before bottling. It has aromas of lime and grapefruit. It is intense on the palate, with flavours of lime, grapefruit and grapefruit rind. 90.

Mayhem Anarchy Sauvignon Blanc 2024 ($26.18 for 230 cases). The grapes are from vineyards in Washington’s Wahluke Slope AVA. The juice was fermented in the Okanagan for eight weeks. Fermentation started in stainless steel; then the wine was transferred to seasoned barriques and puncheons for seven months before bottling. Aromas of lime and pineapple are echoed on the palate. The texture is generous and the finish is tangy. 92.

b>Mayhem Rosé 2024 ($21.83 for 411 cases; 102 magnums also produced, with $5 from the sale of each magnum donated to Breast Cancer Canada). The Merlot grapes for this wine came from a vineyard in Washington’s Wahluke Slope AVA. The wine presents with an appealing rose petal hue. It has aromas and flavours of wild strawberries. The finish is crisp and refreshing. 90.

Mayhem Sparkling White 2024 ($88 for a 12-pack of 250 ml cans; 300 flats produced). The three varietals in this wine – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay – are all from Washington State. The wine is lightly effervescent with aromas and flavours of orchard fruits. The finish is crisp. The convenient package recommends itself to picnics. 88.

Mayhem Cabernet Merlot 2023 ($28.16 for 22 cases). This is a blend of 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc. The individual varietals were aged 11 months in French oak before blending and bottling. The wine has aromas of dark cherry, black currant and vanilla leading to bright fruit flavours of red and black currants, cherry and blueberry. 91.