Wine review: 2024 Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery “Vilicus” Pinot Grigio from Horse Heaven Hills

Ottawa, ON

May 2025

Matt’s review:

The 2024 vintage in the Okanagan Valley was a rare one, marked by a near-total loss of crops due to a devastating winter freeze. Faced with this challenge, Noble Ridge’s winemaker turned to their neighbors to the south for help. By sourcing fruit from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, they created a limited release named “Vilicus,” a tribute to the noble spirit responsible for preserving the winery’s legacy during a difficult year. This clever pivot resulted in a 2024 wine from terroir strikingly similar to the southern Okanagan, with warm days and cool evenings that promote both ripeness and the crisp acidity for which northern wines are known. The result is a wonderfully approachable and textured expression of Pinot Grigio, reminiscent of wines tasted in Summerland in years past, despite its origins in Horse Heaven Hills. The grapes, harvested on September 26, from south-facing vineyards, were pressed and stabilized before being transported to the winery in Okanagan Falls where their team subsequently crafted this surrogate wine with great care.

Straw-gold colour, the nose offers ripe stone fruit, orchard fruits, spring blossoms, and a hint of wildflower honey, accompanied by a subtle mineral note. On the palate, it’s generous, with vibrant flavors of stone fruit, pear, and a touch of citrus zest that lingers on the finish. A delightful wine to enjoy this spring and summer. Tasted May 2025. 90 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.QuercusVino.ca

Available winery-direct $21+tax