Travelling a few minutes north along Bottleneck Drive from Summerland, you’ll discover Free Form and Haywire Wines, once called Okanagan Crush Pad. This place is at the heart of a quiet wine revolution. Winemaker Matt Dumayne, along with co-founders Christine Colletta and Steve Lornie, has always prioritized organic and sustainable farming. Their goal? To enrich the soil and leave it in better shape than when they started. They strongly believe that their wines reflect the land.
All their vineyards, including Switchback, Garnet Valley Ranch, and King Family Vineyards, are certified organic. Matt’s approach to winemaking is hands-off, using native yeast for fermentation and experimenting with various vessels like concrete tanks and neutral barrels. This helps showcase the unique character of the Okanagan Valley.
Take the Haywire Switchback Organic Pinot Gris 2020, for example. Fermented with native yeast and aged in large, neutral barrels, it offers delightful floral notes and an earthy, herb-infused flavor. It pairs beautifully with vegetarian antipasto and creamy cheese atop rice crackers.
Then there are the Free Form Cabernet Franc wines from 2019, grown on the Sekhon Family Vineyard in Osoyoos. Both the standard and the Rosé are wild-fermented and undergo malolactic fermentation. The Cabernet Franc is spent some time in stainless steel and then rests for eleven months in concrete, resulting in a wine with subtle herbs, smoky red fruit, and spice. It’s a great match for homemade lasagna.
Don’t let the lighter color of the Cabernet Franc Rosé fool you. With flavors of wild strawberries and herbs, this dry Rosé works well with roast turkey and cranberry sauce.
The 2020 Free Form Vin Gris is a 100% Pinot Noir from Garnet Valley Ranch Vineyard. It’s pressed whole, fermented with native yeast in smaller concrete eggs, and bottled unfiltered. The result is a smooth, fruit-forward wine with herbal notes, perfect for chicken salad and veggies.
All the grapes for the Free Form wines come exclusively from Garnet Valley Ranch Vineyard. I recommend serving them slightly chilled for the best taste.
In June, the Summerland Bottleneck Drive Association sponsors The Grand Sommelier Express, featuring a unique journey aboard a historic steam locomotive. This event typically draws attention and excitement from wine lovers and tourists alike. It’s a great opportunity to explore regional wines in a fun, engaging setting. For the latest info, check out The Grand Sommelier Express.
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a newcomer, Free Form and Haywire Wines offer something special, reflecting their philosophy of sustainability and quality. Each sip tells a story of the land, making for a truly memorable experience.
Check out this related article: Discover Serenity: Transform Your Backyard Garden into a Peaceful Sanctuary
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