Orchard Grove Vineyard

Just a short drive up the road from our Home Vineyard is Orchard Grove, a 12-acre parcel that we planted in 1998.It is the newest of the three Stoneboat Vineyards. Not wanting to remove any of the older vines on the Home Vineyard, Lanny and Julie obtained an apple orchard from a retiring grower that they had known since they first arrived in the Okanagan. There they planted different Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris clones, along with their newest arrival: Pinotage.

Soil profile: Orchard Grove has three different soil profiles. Our Pinotage block benefits from a sandier loam that warms easily, aiding ripening, while gently restricting growth. Our Pinot Noir is planted in heavier soil interspersed with rocks, and the Pinot Gris enjoys a rockier soil than the others. A band of large boulders (2 feet under) winds its way through the vineyard and appears to be the remains of an ancient streambed from the mountains.

The varying soils of this vineyard require that we pay careful attention to our water management, as each type will drain or retain water at different rates.

Orchard Grove slopes gently to the southwest and is the highest of our three vineyards, giving it a different microclimate. The trellising system here is higher, which increases leaf area and light interception, allowing for optimal sugar and flavour production. All blocks have higher density plantings than average in the Okanagan, decreasing yield per plant.

Orchard Grove is now the site of our winery facility and wine shop (opening Summer 2007).