Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
December 10, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

Holiday Photo Contest

We want to see you enjoying Tinhorn Creek wines this holiday season. Post photos of you enjoying Tinhorn Creek wines, wherever and however you are celebrating the holiday season, to our Facebook page and you will be entered to win a 3L Oldfield Series Merlot*. 

You can also enter on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by tagging your posts with #TinhornHoliday

The contest runs December 11, 2014 to January 4, 2015.

For every photo you post you get one (1) entry and you can get bonus entries if you include the following:

  • One (1) bonus entry for every additional bottle of Tinhorn Creek in the photo
  • One (1) bonus entry for every person wearing some tacky Christmas gear

PLUS... For every 10 votes your photo recieves on Facebook you get one (1) additional entry! 

For Example.. 

The above photo gets the following entries

  • 1 entry for submitting it
  • 1 entry for the 2nd bottle of Tinhorn Creek Wine
  • 1 entry for tacky Christmas gear
  • Plus 1 entry for every 10 votes it would get on Facebook

 

*We must be able to ship it to you, so you have to live in Canada or have a Canadian address we can ship it to. Or if you can come and pick it up within a reasonable amount of time (approx 3 months).

Time Posted: Dec 10, 2014 at 12:33 PM Permalink to Holiday Photo Contest Permalink
Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
September 15, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

Harvest 2014

Harvest 2014 has officially begun! We started this year's harvest on Friday, September 12 by hand-picking the Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat from our Tinhorn Creek Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench. Both of these were whole bunch pressed together before making their way into a small stainless steel tank to ferment. Eventually they will be blended with Semillon, Viognier, and Chardonnay to make our Oldfield Series 2Bench White. 

 

Time Posted: Sep 15, 2014 at 11:19 AM Permalink to Harvest 2014 Permalink Comments for Harvest 2014 Comments (2)
Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
July 4, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

World Cup Communal Table Lunch

Join Miradoro and cheer on your favourite soccer team during the semi-finals and finals!

Starting Tuesday July 8 Miradoro will be hosting World Cup Communal Table Lunches. For $35 you get a 3-course lunch while you cheer on your team. Each lunch will have 2 menus for you to choose from. The menus will be themed around what team are playing each other. 

We already know that Germany is playing on Tuesday July 8 at 1pm, so one menu will be German themed, but what will the other be? 

Check the Miradoro Facebook page to find out the themes of the upcoming menus! 

Call Miradoro to make your reservation - 250-498-3742

 

 

Time Posted: Jul 4, 2014 at 1:24 PM Permalink to World Cup Communal Table Lunch Permalink
Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
June 27, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

Happy Canadian Wine Day!

To celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of the passing of Bill C-311 we are offering FREE SHIPPING on full cases (12 bottles) anywhere in Canada on June 28, 2014. 

You can mix & match however you would like to make up a case (or multiple cases if you would like!). The only requirement is that you have to order in multiples of 12 bottles

How do you order? Simply visit our online store, select your wines, and at check-out enter the coupon code CANADAFREE. 

PLUS... We decided to release our Oldfield Series Pinot Noir 2010 a little bit early. It's been collecting great reviews and medals everywhere it goes. It sold out in less than 6 months last year and at $29.99 a bottle it won't be around long. Take advantage of today's (June 28, 2014) FREE SHIPPING and order some today. 

Order Now

 

Sometimes it happens... If for some reason you can't get your order to go through simply send us an email with your order and contact info and we will be happy to process it on Monday. 

 

 

Time Posted: Jun 27, 2014 at 2:12 PM Permalink to Happy Canadian Wine Day! Permalink Comments for Happy Canadian Wine Day! Comments (1)
Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
May 26, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

Half Corked Marathon

We've now been making our Half Screwed Sangria every year the Half Corked Marathon has been around. We've made it with Cab Franc, Rosé, Chardonnay, and Merlot. It doesn't seem to matter what wine you use in this recipe it always turns out great.

Here are the recipes for our Half Screwed Sangria and the Cucumber Gazpacho from Miradoro Restaurant. Enjoy!

 

Time Posted: May 26, 2014 at 11:11 AM Permalink to Half Corked Marathon Permalink Comments for Half Corked Marathon Comments (161)
Press Release
 
May 21, 2014 | Press Release

Golden Mile Bench Proposes to become Okanagan Valley's First Sub-Appellation

Wineries located on the Golden Mile Bench wine growing area near Oliver in British Columbia have submitted a proposal to become the first official sub-DVA "Designated Viticultural Area" of the Okanagan Valley DVA. An in-depth scientific analysis by scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre – Summerland (AAFC-PARC Summerland) has shown the area has a combination of landform, landscape position, mesoclimate, air drainage and soil materials that make it distinct within the Okanagan Valley, contributing to the production of unique wines.

A group of producers in the area have been exploring the concept of proposing a Golden Mile Bench DVA since 2009. After much discussion, debate and an in-depth study of the region's terroir by Scott Smith, M.Sc. Soil Scientist with AAFC-PARC Summerland in conjunction with Dr. Pat Bowen, Ph.D. Research Scientist, Viticulture and Plant Physiology also at AAFC-PARC Summerland, the final boundaries were decided. Wine consultant, Rhys Pender MW of Wine Plus+ helped to compile the proposal.

With the Okanagan Valley DVA comprising around four-fifths of all British Columbia's vineyard area, yet producing wines from many different mesoclimates and terroirs, it is a widely held belief that there is a need to break this large, single appellation into meaningful, scientifically unique sub-DVAs that produce distinctive wines. Golden Mile Bench is the first such application to the BC Wine Authority.

The proposal was submitted to the BC Wine Authority (BCWA) on May 20th. The BCWA will conduct consultations within the region and a vote by ballot amongst the relevant stakeholders within the proposed region's boundaries. Once the due diligence has been completed the BCWA will submit the proposal to the Minister for approval.

Any enquiries about the status of the proposal should be directed to the BC Wine Authority (http://www.bcvqa.ca).

A question and answer section with more details is included below.

 

-30-

 

 

Questions & Answers

When will the Golden Mile Bench DVA become official?
The proposal has been submitted to the BC Wine Authority who conduct the process as laid out in the Wines of Marked Quality Regulation before submitting the proposal to the Minister for approval. There is currently no existing time estimate.

 

Who conducted the scientific study to determine the proposed boundaries?
The boundaries were decided after in-depth analysis by Scott Smith, a soil scientist with the Pacific Agri - Food Research Centre (PARC) in Summerland in conjunction with Dr. Pat Bowen, a Viticulture Research Scientist also at PARC.

 

Will some vineyards or wineries be excluded from the new DVA?
The area of the proposed DVA has been drawn up using a scientific basis. Some producers in the area have vineyards both in and out of the proposed DVA and some vineyards are even cut into two by the boundaries. Also, any winery who buys grapes from within the proposed DVA can use those grapes to make a Golden Mile Bench DVA designation.

 

Will there be more sub-DVAs created in the near future?
All those involved hope that this will be the start of creating a number of scientifically defined unique sub-DVAs that help tell the story of the unique regions of the Okanagan Valley.

 

What does a sub-DVA mean and how will it appear on labels?
When a sub-DVA is created, it applies to all of the vineyards within the defined boundaries. Any winery (not just those located in the sub-DVA) making wine from grapes grown within the sub-DVA could use the name  “Golden Mile Bench” on the label of that particular wine.

 

 

Winery contacts:

CC Jentsch Cellars
Chris Jentsch
jentsch@eastlink.ca

CheckMate Artisanal Winery
David Wilson
dwilson@markanthony.com

Culmina Family Estate Winery
Donald Triggs
donald.triggs@culmina.ca

Fairview Cellars
Bill Eggert
beggert@img.net

Gehringer Brothers
Walter Gehringer
w.gehringer@telus.net

Hester Creek
Mark Sheridan
Mark@hestercreek.com

Inniskillin Okanagan

Josie Tyabji
Josie.Tyabji@cbrands.com

Golden Mile Cellars Inc. (Road 13)
Pam Luckhurst
pam@road13vineyards.com

Rustico Farm and Cellars Ltd.
Bruce Fuller
bfuller@rusticowinery.com

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
Sandra Oldfield
sandra@tinhorn.com

   

Media Contact:

Annabel Hawksworth
Annabel@Hawksworth.ca
604.609.6678

Time Posted: May 21, 2014 at 9:17 AM Permalink to Golden Mile Bench Proposes to become Okanagan Valley's First Sub-Appellation Permalink
Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
May 20, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

Now Shipping to 34 States!

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, in British Columbia’s South Okanagan valley, is pleased to announce a new service that allows its award winning wines to be ordered directly from the winery and then shipped to addresses across the US.

This new service benefits not only American visitors to Tinhorn Creek’s tasting room, who can now arrange for their new discoveries to be shipped home, but also Canadian enthusiasts who want to share their favourite Tinhorn Creek wines with others across the border.

“For the first time since moving to Canada twenty years ago, I can now send our wines to my family and friends in the US,” says President & CEO Sandra Oldfield, who came from California to British Columbia to bottle the winery’s first vintage in 1994. “We hope many more US wine lovers will come visit to discover the unique qualities of Canadian wines, and if they can’t visit they can now try a little taste of Tinhorn Creek delivered right to their door. For other Canadians with family in the US or snowbirds who winter in the States, they can now arrange to enjoy the best of the Okanagan year round.”

Six select Tinhorn Creek wines that showcase the region’s distinct winemaking style and terroir have been chosen to launch this program:

2013 Pinot Gris
2013 Gewurztraminer
2013 Oldfield Series 2Bench White
2011 Cabernet Franc
2010 Oldfield Series Merlot
2010 Oldfield Series 2Bench Red

Consumers in the US can visit http://usshop.tinhorn.com shop directly from Tinhorn Creek’s website in US dollars, a minimum of 12 bottles per order is required and consumers may order ‘A Taste of Tinhorn’ mixed case with two of each of six select wines currently available, or make up their own preferred mix. A delivery fee of $29.95USD is applicable, however there are no additional tariffs, fees or customs duties to pay, it’s all included. Shipping is permitted to 34 states in the US including: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, ME, MI, MO, MD, MN, NC, NE, NM, NV, NJ, OH, OR, SC, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WVA, WY.

Time Posted: May 20, 2014 at 2:30 PM Permalink to Now Shipping to 34 States! Permalink
Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
April 11, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

Introducing Andrew Windsor... Our New Winemaker

Andrew WindsorWe pleased to introduce our new Winemaker Andrew Windsor. An experienced bon vivant and global traveller, Andrew brings a unique blend of passion and scientific knowledge to the winery.

Our approach to winemaking has always been collaborative and Sandra Oldfield will continue this tradition by running the winery as CEO & President whilst working together with her successor Andrew and the winemaking team.

“Andrew’s experimental and innovative new ideas fit perfectly with our approach over the last 20 years of continually evolving and moving forward with our winemaking,” says Sandra. “Andrew’s worldly view will ensure a fresh direction as we continue to work dynamically to create our spectacular wines.”
 

Ontario-born Andrew’s first taste of wine was a friend’s parents’ attempt at homemade wine but it didn’t put him off and he went on to take a course in wine whilst studying Environmental Science at the University of Guelph. In his twenties Andrew met Jamie McFarland of The Ice House Winery, who invited him to assist with his ice wine project in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Andrew had a sharp taste of the winemaking world when he was called to start picking grapes at 3am in minus12C.

Heading to warmer climes, Andrew gained a Masters of Oenology at the University of Adelaide in Australia in 2006 and then took on an Assistant Winemaking role at Mollydooker Wines in McLaren Vale, where he lived on the beach and cycled to work through vineyards filled with kangaroos.

Working closely with Viticulturist, Andrew Moon and Assistant Winemaker, Korol Kuklo, Andrew will be overseeing the winemaking process from vines to bottle. He brings with him a wealth of experience having worked in wineries in the Okanagan, Marlborough in New Zealand and the Northern Rhone in France before returning to Canada to work as VQA Winemaker for Andrew Peller Ltd. in Niagara.

“France taught me that wine is not just a science but an art form, a culture and an expression of a place. Wine has the ability to take you to a place in the world without leaving your home,” says Andrew. “I want to make the best wine in Canada and the only place I can do that is the South Okanagan.”


Andrew will be continuing our tradition of creating much-loved wines but his fresh approach will bring an exciting new element, whilst helping us continue to progress and move forward into the next 20 years of exceptional winemaking.

Time Posted: Apr 11, 2014 at 1:45 PM Permalink to Introducing Andrew Windsor... Our New Winemaker Permalink
Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
March 12, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

Welcome Sue Des Lauriers!

We are pleased to announce the appointment of brand marketing specialist Sue Des Lauriers as our new Sales & Marketing Manager. Celebrating our 20th year in 2014, we are now looking ahead to the next two decades and Sue will be an integral part of helping us to drive real innovation in the fast-changing industry of winemaking. 

“I am thrilled to be joining such an iconic and dynamic winery as Tinhorn Creek,” says Sue. “Their relentless dedication to crafting the finest product possible is a perfect fit for me as I truly believe British Columbia wines are a gift from our land. This is the team I feel has the people, place and spirit to make local products that create an experience to remember.”

Sue will be overseeing all sales and marketing, including hospitality and our Crush Club, as well as looking after exports and sales throughout Canada. She brings with her a fresh pair of eyes and unique experience, having spent eight years working with wine brands such as Sandhill Small Lots, Calona Vineyards Artist Series and Copper Moon VQA and the last six years working in brand design for consumer and beverage alcohol packaged goods.

Sue holds a Bachelors Degree in Merchandising and an Executive Diploma in Marketing Management. When she worked with Cascadia Brands she specialized in British Columbia Premium VQA wines, which resulted in record sales for VQA wines. 

Whilst working as a brand creative at BrandsBC Sue worked with a range of clients from Edible Canada and London Drugs to Horseshoe Bay and Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country.

“Sue’s fresh energy and knowledge of branding is going to be a huge asset to Tinhorn Creek Vineyards,” says Sandra Oldfield, CEO and Winemaker. “We’re looking forward to working with her to take Tinhorn forward into the next successful 20 years.”

Time Posted: Mar 12, 2014 at 1:39 PM Permalink to Welcome Sue Des Lauriers! Permalink
Tinhorn Creek Staff
 
February 20, 2014 | Tinhorn Creek Staff

2014 Canadian Concert Series Line-up Announced

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards celebrates their 20th anniversary this year, so come and kick off your shoes and join in the party as they are bringing back some of their favourite bands from past Canadian Concert Series. The much-anticipated annual event is a rare opportunity to see some of Canada’s top musical talent while enjoying award-winning wines and taking in the spectacular views of the South Okanagan Valley.

Tinhorn Creek’s outdoor amphitheatre sits atop the winery’s hillside overlooking the famed Golden Mile, and is a one-of-a-kind venue for dancing the night away under the stars. Kicking off on May 24th, the 2014 Canadian Concert Series features Tinhorn's favourite past performers every month and ends with legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter Colin James for the grand finale performance on September 6th.

The Town Pants are the first blast from the past and they will be starting the Canadian Concert Series with their rollicking Celtic rhythms on May 24th ($25) and the party continues with the funky grooves of The Boom Booms on June 28th ($30). On July 26th Hey Ocean ($40) bring their mellow indie party-pop to the vineyard, followed by the alternative rock music of Odds on August 23rd ($45).

Colin James returns to Tinhorn Creek on September 6th ($75) to celebrate their 20th anniversary, it's a special visit for the singer-songwriter as he helped the vineyards to celebrate their 10th anniversary a decade ago. He brings back his unique blend of musical styles that are the result of a long career that has seen him as rock guitar legend, platinum pop artist, blues baby and swing music band leader.

Perched on the picturesque Tinhorn Creek Vineyards estate on the famed Golden Mile, Miradoro Restaurant will feature BBQ food options including grilled salad on house-made ciabatta, grilled sausages and grilled marinated Portuguese tenderloin prepared by Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest during performances. Tinhorn Creek wines will be available by the glass or bottle. Each event features a pre-concert reception for Crush Club members.

Tickets to the Canadian Concert Series are now on sale and are some of the most sought-after in the South Okanagan and beyond. Seasons tickets are just $115—see the first four concerts in the series for the price of three—and include a complimentary Go Vino stemless plastic wine glass. Tickets for the Grand Finale concert featuring Colin James are $75. All concerts start at 7pm (gates open at 6:30pm).

Shuttles from Osoyoos and Pentiction (return) are available for all concerts. Seating is limited for the shuttles so book early. Purchase
 

Time Posted: Feb 20, 2014 at 9:53 AM Permalink to 2014 Canadian Concert Series Line-up Announced Permalink Comments for 2014 Canadian Concert Series Line-up Announced Comments (3)