Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Tasting

The Okanagan Valley is home to some of the most unique grapegrowing conditions in the world. From the northern tip, Lake Country, at 50o latitude, with some of the most northerly vineyards in the world, to Osoyoos in the far south, a ~2.5 hour/160km drive, where you’ll find desert conditions with growing degree days that exceed Napa Valley and Australia’s Yarra Valley.

When it comes to premium Pinot and Chardonnay in the Okanagan, I’ve always found the vineyards in the centre of the Okanagan, along the Naramata Bench and in Okanagan Falls, consistently produce the finest expressions. One of those top producers in Okanagan Falls is Meyer Family Vineyards.

Last fall I had the pleasure of visiting JAK Meyer and the team at Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, Canada. It had been ~5 years since I last visited so it was a real treat to be back in Okanagan Falls sampling JAKs wines from their OK Falls and Naramata Bench vineyards.

Meyer Family Vineyards is nestled beside the region’s most iconic feature, Peach Cliff, and within proximity to Skaha Lake, two geographic features that play important roles in the glacial-influenced terroir which is renowned for producing some of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in British Columbia and along the west coast of North America.

Here are a few standout wines from Meyer Family Vineyards which I tasted in September 2022:

2020 Old Block Pinot Noir (95 points) – ripe cherry, dark fruits, sweet spices, herbs, very fresh with depth/intensity and beautifully polished tannins. Tasted September 2022. 95 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2017 McLean Creek Rd Vineyard Pinot Noir (94 points) – cherry, spice, graphite, herbs, underbrush, great texture, crisp acidity, complex fruit and beginning of tertiary flavour development. Very impressive wine. Tasted September 2022. 94 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2020 McLean Creek Rd Vineyard Pinot Noir (93 points) – new release – cherry, graphite, herbs, great texture, fine integrated/polished tannins. Tasted September 2022. 93 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2020 Micro Cuvée Pinot Noir (94 points) – a selection of the best clones (Pommard Clone 91 with Clone 115 (25%)), best blocks, and best barrels is what makes the Micro Cuvée – nose shows ripe cherry, elegant spices, palate: dark cherry, some earthiness but predominantly a nice blend of red fruit/cherry. Full bodied Pinot, great structure, a long life ahead of it. Tasted September 2022. 94 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2015 Micro Cuvée Pinot Noir (93 points) – beautifully developed, fruit is evolving with dried leaves, savoury notes. Enjoy now – 2025. Tasted September 2022. 93 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2012 Micro Cuvée Pinot Noir (94 points) – light ruby, garnet hue, impressive concentration and intensity, the red fruit and sweet spices are evolving, however the structure is maintaining is composure and enabling it to evolve gracefully. Approaching its peak – enjoy now. Tasted September 2022. 94 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2020 Micro Cuvée Chardonnay (94 points) – ripe tropical fruits, medium-full bodied, creamy with ripe orchard fruit, toasty. (Naramata Bench Old Main Road Vineyard fruit). Tasted September 2022. 94 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2017 Micro Cuvée Chardonnay (93 points) – ripe orchard fruit, subtle tropical fruit nuances, lees, brioche, palate shows delicious layers of ripe orchard fruit, beginning evolution of flavour profile. Great complexity. (Naramata Bench Old Main Road Vineyard fruit). Tasted September 2022. 93 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

2019 Tribute Series Chardonnay – Dr.Bonnie Henry – (95 points) – Impressive orchard fruit and minerality. The palate shows blend of tropical and orchard fruit, with great texture on the finish. (Naramata Bench Old Main Road Vineyard fruit). Tasted September 2022. 95 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca