River Stone Winery celerates good neighbours.

Photo: River Stone's Ted Kane

Most of the recent releases from River Stone Estate Winery are from what winery co-owner Ted Kane calls the Good Neighbours Series because the wines are made with Washington State grapes. He chooses the Canadian spelling, which seems fitting, given that Donald Trump's United States could hardly be called a Good Neighbor. But then Washington is a "blue" state ...

The 2024 freeze was devastating to the vineyards at Ted's Okanagan winery, which is just northeast of Oliver. Ted has had to replant eleven of his sixteen acres. Those carefully tended vines are expected to produce about 50 to 85 per cent of a full crop of grapes by their third year. The regulatory authorities gave Okanagan and Similkameen wineries a two-year window in 2024 to make wines from imported grapes so that they could stay in business until their vines recovered or were replaced. Those wines must be sold by March 2027, after which they will be taxed as import wines.

For the second consecutive year, Ted bought Washington grapes. “Once again,” he writes, “a portion of our wines have been crafted from carefully sourced Washington state fruit, allowing us to maintain both quality and consistency while our estate vineyards recover. These wines remain true to our River Stone style: expressive, balanced, and grounded in the same winemaking philosophy that has always guided us.”

“Replanting has also given us the opportunity to look ahead,” the winery says. “We have introduced new plantings, including Chenin Blanc, a variety we have long been curious about. … We expect to see a small estate crop in 2026, with production gradually increasing over the following years as the young vines mature.” River Stone will also buy 2026 fruit from growers in the Okanagan.

Here are notes on the wines.

River Stone Good Neighbours Series Chenin Blanc 2025 ($26.90 for 250 cases). The fruit was sourced from the Ancient Lakes AVA in Washington’s Columbia Valley. The wine has aromas and flavours of citrus and stone fruits, with a crisp and fresh palate. 90.

River Stone Good Neighbours Series Pinot Gris 2025 ($24.90 for 250 cases). The fruit is from the Yakima Valley AVA. The ferment was long and cool, with a portion going through malolactic fermentation, a technique that enhanced the texture. The wine is delicious, with a rich texture, aromas of pear and flavours of pear and apple. 92.

River Stone Good Neighbours Series Sauvignon Blanc 2025 ($25.90 for 300 cases). This wine is made with estate-grown grapes supplemented with fruit from a Yakima Valley vineyard. The wine begins with aromas of lime and lemon leading to a crisp texture and flavours of grapefruit. The finish is persistent. Think Sancerre with a New Zealand twist. 91.

River Stone Good Neighbours Series Albariño 2025 ($31.90 for 150 cases). The fruit is from the Yakima Valley AVA. (There is a hint in the winery’s letter that River Stone is interested in planting this varietal in its own vineyard.) The wine has a restrained fruity aroma with flavours that explode on the palate: pineapple, peach and melon. The wine is sold only at River Stone’s tasting room. 92.

River Stone Good Neighbours Series Splash 2025 ($23.90 for 275 cases). The blend is 44% Pinot Gris, 34% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Albariño and 7% Chenin Blanc. The fruit is from two Yakima Valley vineyards as well as from River Stone’s own vineyard. The wine has a richly fruity aroma of apricot and peach leading to juicy, satisfying flavours of apple, peach and melon. 92.

River Stone Small Lot Merlot 2022 ($36.90 for 100 cases). This wine is made with estate-grown fruit. Made from a great vintage, the wine was given additional concentration by bleeding some juice from the tank. Fermentation was completed in 17 days and the wine was aged 24 month in French oak (1/3 new). The wine is dark, with aromas of cassis and spice. Densely textured, the wine delivers flavours of dark cherry, chocolate, coffee and a touch of oak. 92.