Nighthawk Vineyards' new sparkling wine years in the making
After years of hard work, a South Okanagan family is celebrating the fruits of their labour; a tart, crisp, sparkling wine.
Nighthawk Vineyards' new ‘Lux de Vinea,’ latin for light of the vineyard, is a hand-crafted traditional-method sparkling wine, grown using Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes and aged for 21 months.
For winemaker Dakota Bibby, the process started in 2020 so he’s excited to finally complete the project.
“It’s a completely new thing we’ve started doing. We’re in the heart of Pinot and Chardonnay country here in Okanagan Falls. Sparkling wine has been a big passion of mine and all of us at Nighthawk so it’s a really interesting wine to add to the portfolio,” he said.
Visitors and wine club members have been loving it since its release in August.
“They’ve been hearing about the bubbles for the last two years so they’ve been very excited to try it. Our wine club members went crazy for it and started scooping it up as soon as it was released," Dakota said.
For the 2022 vintage, Nighthawk is also bringing back its award-winning Nocturnus, a Bordeaux-style blend made with Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.
New wine isn’t the only big thing happening at the winery’s location at 2735 Green Lake Rd. Two luxury eco-accommodations will soon be available for guests in April 2023, said co-owner Daniel Bibby.
The new accommodations, nestled above the vineyard and Green Lake, are truly a glamping experience. A soaker tub placed on the deck is enticing guests to enjoy a bath and a glass of wine with a beautiful view. A delicious charcuterie board will also be served up for guests, perfect for a romantic getaway, Daniel said.
This year, the winery’s restaurant, run by chef Carson Bibby, won the Most Memorable Outdoor Dining Experience in B.C. by LUXlife Magazine. While the restaurant is closed for the season, the wine shop is open from 12 to 4 p.m., from Friday thru Sunday throughout November before the Bibby family takes a break and will reopen Easter weekend in 2023.
The winery’s last big event of the year, the Green Lake Valley Artisan Market, is the annual Christmas market on Nov. 19, offering great food, wine and entertainment with a performance by Okanagan musician Joshua Smith overlooking the vineyards.
To stay updated on the winery's latest happenings, visit its website.
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