Okanagan Crush Pad
Committed to Sustainability
Our Commitments
Farming our land with nature’s best interest in mind is what motivates us. We began organic farming in 2011 and are committed to making pure wines, free from additions or manipulation.
To push us even further, this Spring, OCP joined International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA). OCP is the first Canadian winery to join this prestigious group of global wine leaders. IWCA is open to any winery from any country and employs a three-tiered membership system that allows for a diverse group of wineries to join. Okanagan Crush Pad has been accepted as an applicant member, having committed to an ISO-14064 audited baseline greenhouse gas inventory. The winery now has one year to meet IWCA membership requirements and become a silver or gold-level member. We will be using solar energy, reducing the weight of our packaging and planting crops that provide bio-diversity at Garnet Valley Ranch.
We encourage other local wineries to join us on our journey.
An Overview
Land Stewardship
Twelve acres of land have been reverted to wetland habitat, protecting a vital freshwater creek from grazing cattle. A restored pond offers refuge to birds and wildlife. Purposefully built wildlife corridors allow animals to utilize the ranch harmoniously with our endeavours.
Organic Vineyards
Our team farms 320 acres using exclusively organic practices. Through the use of beehives, lavender fields, and even an 8-acre vegetable farm, our team strives to create a robust and diverse landscape for future generations.
Organic and Sustainable Winemaking
Our wine cellar is certified organic by ECOCert allowing us to produce fully organic wines from farm to bottle. Almost all of our wines are raised in concrete or stainless tanks, which lasts decades, unlike oak which has a five-year lifespan.
Regenerative Farming
Our three estate vineyards are organically farmed and certified, assuring that we use no artificial pesticides. In addition to practicing organic viticulture, we are passionate about regenerative farming practices, which allow our wines to show the evolving health and vitality of the vineyards from which they are. Rather than spraying our vines with harmful chemical herbicides and pesticides, our farming practices focus on elemental and organic farming solutions for plant nutrition and weed control, as well as the preservation and stewardship of the lands we farm.
Additionally, we focus on integrative pest management as we release thousands of ladybugs and praying mantis eggs onto our vineyards. These beneficial bugs are surrounded by an endless food supply of leafhoppers, aphids and other bugs that typically like to chomp on the vines and damage the crop. Simply by eating and surviving, the ladybugs and praying mantises keep our vines alive and thriving. We also plant flowers that attract harmful bugs away from vines so that they congregate at a more appealing food source.
Not only do we protect our vines with non-invasive practices, but we also nourish them with seaweed and compost on a foliar basis (rather than using petroleum-based fertilizers).
Biodiversity
To achieve this, we have created much needed biodiversity by adding 8 acres of vegetables, which are farmed organically by Thomas Tumbach and his family and sold to local fruit stands, restaurants, and families.
In addition, we built a pond that has encouraged more birds and wildlife to flock to the area; more than 60 bird species were identified this past summer! Fifteen acres have been dedicated to a nature conservancy program, and fields used for grazing cattle have been returned to natural habitat.
The end goal is biodiversity, including ground crops, tree fruits, and eventually, a 100-acre vineyard where animals, natural habitats, grapes, and humans co-exist in harmony.
Intentional Packaging
Not only the monetary costs but, more importantly, the environmental costs of heavy glass have forced several wineries to reevaluate the importance of the weight of their bottles. We are experimenting with lighter bottles across the board at Okanagan Crush Pad.
We have released 1.5L Astrapouches with an 80% reduced carbon footprint over glass bottles. Similarly, our wine in cans offers a lightweight, easy-to-recycle alternative to glass.
A recent experiment included new stone paper labels on our Free Form range. It is an entirely tree-free paper made from stone, using no water and minimal energy inputs in production.
Taste Premium Organic Wine for Yourself
Here at Okanagan Crush Pad, we are immensely proud of our work creating sustainably made wines that everyone can be proud to share and enjoy. With that in mind, we have put together a bundle of three favourites from the Free Form range.
Free Form Feature Organic Bundle
Bundle includes:
2019 Free Form Vin Gris | 2019 Free Form Cabernet Franc Rosé | 2018 Free Form Cabernet Sauvignon
$103 ea.
$92.70 ea. for Club & Owner’s Circle Members
The Wines
2019 Free Form Vin Gris
This wine highlights the delicacy and fruit forward notes of whole-bunch-pressed Pinot Noir from a certified organic vineyard. This Vin Gris exhibits savoury herbal notes which lead into a finely balanced expression of Pinot Noir with texture from concrete fermentation and aging.
2019 Free Form Cabernet Franc Rosé
This Rosé exhibits red berry aromatics leading to a harmonious balance of lush sweet and savoury fruit and a juicy framework of acidity.
2018 Free Form Cabernet Sauvignon
Bright lifted red fruits give way to a mouth-watering and delicate yet brooding palate. Lush textural notes are framed by supple tannins, fine acidity and a very lengthy finish. Chill ever so slightly and pair with seared tuna or a simple homemade pizza.