Positioned on the Golden Mile Bench in the South Okanagan is Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. With a panoramic view of the southern Okanagan Valley, Tinhorn Creek is an idyllic place to stop and admire the scenery while sipping award-winning wine.
Established in 1993, the winery has been a staple in the heart of Canada’s winemaking region for almost three decades.
Meet Leandro Nosal
This year, the winery appointed Argentinean-born Leandro Nosal as its head winemaker. With over 10 years of winemaking experience, Nosal is no industry rookie. Prior to Tinhorn Creek, he was the assistant winemaker at CedarCreek Estate Winery, then the assistant winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, and most recently assistant winemaker at CheckMate Artisanal Winery for the past three years.
A fourth-generation winemaker, winemaking is in Nosal’s blood.
“Growing up in Mendoza, Argentina, wine is a part of everyday life. My great-grandparents came over from Europe, planted vineyards and made their own wine, and then my grandparents continued the tradition. My mother went to school to be a winemaker. You could say it’s a family tradition,” Nosal says. “I have a lot of memories of wandering through the vineyards with my grandmother and learning things from her and my uncle. Since I was in high school, I knew I wanted to work in the wine industry.”
Nosal has an agricultural engineering degree from the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, and a Master of Science in viticulture and oenology, which he achieved while studying in Montpellier, France and Torino, Italy. After working in both the vineyards and the cellar, he decided the cellar was his passion.
“I love interacting with people,” he says. “For me, winemaking is not only about the wine itself, but about sharing the stories behind the wine and all the work that goes into it.”
Nosal fell in love with the Okanagan after his first visit, as the hot, dry climate reminded him of his home in Argentina.
“The Okanagan is such a cool region because you have the richness and knowledge of wine professionals from around the world,” he says. “There’s this community where everyone is interacting and learning from one another.”
For Nosal, continuing Tinhorn Creek’s legacy of land stewardship is important.
“Climate change is really changing things. People need to be paying attention, especially those who work with the land,” he says. “We need to continue to use our resources sustainably so our kids, and our kids’ kids, can continue to enjoy it.”
Tinhorn Creek’s new winemaker describes his winemaking style as “low-intervention.”
“I think the Golden Mile Bench has the most interesting soils in the Okanagan Valley. I really want that uniqueness to shine through in our wines,” he says. “Obviously at some points you need to intervene in the winemaking process, but the less and the earlier the better.”
To catch Nosal in action, a trip to the winery is required. While visiting, you can try one of Tinhorn Creek’s different tastings, each of which provides a slightly different experience while showcasing their award-winning wines.
Wine Tastings
Tasting the wines is the best way to decide which ones are right for your palate. With Tinhorn’s sit-down tastings, you can learn about Tinhorn Creek’s history, as well as the reason for all the various stemware they use to taste wines.
For wine aficionados who are up to having a little fun while testing their wine knowledge, the Black Glass Tasting challenge awaits. Tasters are given four varietals of wine, all masked in blacked-out glasses. If tasters can guess two out of four wines, the winery will waive their tasting fee.
Wine Club for Five Wineries!
To gain complimentary tastings at Tinhorn Creek, as well as Black Hills, Gray Monk, Red Rooster, and Sandhill, for yourself and three guests, join the winery’s wine club. Not only do you get exclusive access to new wine releases and the gorgeous guesthouse on the vineyard property, but wine club members receive 15 per cent discounts on all wine and merchandise, and a 10 per cent discount on food at Miradoro restaurant for up to six people.
Come and Visit
Tinhorn Creek is open seven days a week from 11 am until 6 pm. The winery strongly encourages reservations; however, they will do their best to accommodate walk-ins.
For more information about the winery or the wine club, or to book a wine tasting or dinner reservation, please contact 1-888-484-6467 or visit tinhorn.com and go to the Tastings and Experience tab and book a tasting through myWineCountry.com.