Trailblazing Okanagan Crush Pad has announced the appointment of BC wine industry veteran Darryl Brooker as CEO. Brooker returns to the BC industry after a brief sojourn with Cannabis, following his 2021 departure from Mission Hill. Over the years he has held several key positions, initially as senior winemaker with Andrew Peller before moving to Cedar Creek as V-P of winemaking and operations in 2010. Brooker went on to senior management roles culminating as president of Mission Hill Estate and von Mandl Family estate wineries.
Okanagan Crush Pad founders Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie
Okanagan Crush Pad founders Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie say they had arrived at a “critical point: plan to sell or develop a dynamic succession plan. It’s evident that we chose the latter by bringing Darryl into our wine family,” says Coletta. “We are excited to drive forward doing what we love and with Darryl’s help build a stronger wine culture in our business. And provide key support for Matt (Dumayne, OCP head winemaker) and Duncan (Billings, OCP head viticulturist), replacing our reliance on outside consultants.”
Brooker: A Return to Grapes
This is a major move in the industry. In short, with his extensive background—and particularly his more recent experience with converting von Mandl Family wineries to organic viticulture—Brooker is the perfect fit for OCP. Coletta says she’s “confident that she speaks on behalf of the entire BC wine industry in welcoming Darryl back. His talent and experiences are rare in our field; and we all felt the loss when he departed to a different industry.”
Equally enthused, Brooker says he always felt that he would return to the industry. He believes he has plenty more to contribute, providing it’s to a winery that “had the vision and potential.”
“OCP, Chriss, Steve, Matt and the entire team have impressed me since the beginning. Amazing fruit, unique organic vineyard sites and a vision to be bold and push the boundaries.”
Brooker will oversee ongoing winery operations which will free up the founders for other projects. He will work also with Lornie and Okanagan Crush Pad director of estates Julian Scholefield at newly minted Fairmile Management. The latter is undertaking this summer’s winery expansion, which will see it double in size, as well as other projects. Given Lornie’s successful career in both residential and industrial development, a separate construction company makes sense.
Okanagan Crush Pad will be closed to visitors until late fall, However, wine club members will be able to visit the soon to be built GVR Outlook at Garnet Valley Ranch.
Garnet Valley Ranch Evolves
Garnet Valley Ranch looking towards Giant’s Head in Summerland
Likely the highest altitude vineyards in BC, garnet Valley Ranch plantings are now nudging 700 metres. Both Lornie and Coletta are delighted with the results from the piece of range-land they admit they “took a chance on.” Lornie told me he originally heard about the property through a friend. And when he saw it he was instantly taken with its natural beauty and and potential. LINK
The OCP owners had been looking for land that had never been farmed or subjected to herbicides and pesticides. GVR was truly ‘out of the box’ as it was never included in BC’s now 40 year old Wine Atlas. It stops just to the south of the property, according to Coletta.
2015 Pinot Noir plantings at Garnet Valley Ranch
The first vines went in two years after the 2012 purchase. Coletta says while it’s more challenging for the vines to establish the results are impressive. Plantings are predominantly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with small blocks of Riesling and Pinot Meunier.
When I visited last week spring was in full swing, with a wealth of bird life including Sandpipers, Flickers, Red-winged Blackbirds and more. More planting has continued during the pandemic. The lower, flat sections are leased to an organic vegetable farmer and to a heather grower.
Read more about Okanagan Crush Pad here.
Okanagan Crush Pad firmly abides by its mantra of land stewardship which maintains a balance of organic viticulture and natural surroundings. As the vines continue to mature, that stewardship and the pristine fruit that rewards is becoming ever more apparent in the glass.
Come this summer, wine club members will be able to enjoy a glass overlooking the vineyard at the soon to be built GVR Outlook viewing platform.
Some quick highlights from last week’s tasting…
Haywire Vintage Bub 2013 (Okanagan Valley VQA)
Lively mousse and persistent bubbles, lifted orchard fruits and brioche on the nose. Well balanced fruit and bright acidity with apple and almond notes. Generous mouthfeel from 52 months on lees, and a lingering zesty close. $43.99 92 pts. Also, tasted prior, 2014 – 93 pts. Vegan.
Haywire Chardonnay 2020 (Okanagan Valley VQA)
This first Chardonnay from Garnet Valley Ranch yields distinctive and impressive purity of fruit. Excellent varietal character with good mouthfeel and mid-palate heft. 92 pts Unreleased. $32.99 Vegan / Organic.
Free Form Vin Gris 2019 (Okanagan Valley VQA)
More impressive first tastes from Garnet Valley Ranch. Whole bunch pressed Pinot Noir, fermented with native yeasts in small concrete eggs. This wine is made with minimal intervention. Complex and layered with forward, vibrant fresh berry fruit. A touch of savoury herbs mid-palate, as well as a generous, viscous mouthfeel through the gently savoury close. 92 pts $29.99 Vegan / Organic.
Haywire Pinot Noir 2019 (Okanagan Valley VQA)
From certified organic Secrest Mountain Vineyard, forward red berries with some earthy hints. A layered, spicy and savoury toned dark cherry palate, wrapped in juicy acidity through a gently spicy end. 92 pts. $34.99 Vegan / Organic.
Free Form Cabernet Franc 2019 (Okanagan Valley VQA)
From Sekhon Vineyard, a south-east facing, sandy bench in Osoyoos. Bursting with dark berry aromas before a plush ‘n plummy palate with herbal and cassis hints. Supported by good acidity with balanced mouthfeel. Lingering fruit and spice flavours. 92 pts $44.99 Vegan / Organic
Okanagan Crush Pad concrete eggs
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