Stag’s Hollow Winery celebrates 30 years of British Columbia winemaking in 2025.
To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the winery has reimagined its Renaissance Merlot 2022 label to feature three exclusive ‘Art Series’ labels, each capturing the essence of the Stag’s Hollow estate in Okanagan Falls, BC. The depiction on each label, created by local artists Sharon Snow, Stephanie Perry and Ron Gladish, reflects the natural beauty of Stag’s Hollow property and the historic hollow in its name . Customers can collect all three limited-edition labels honouring Stag’s Hollow commitment to distinctive quality wines that have defined Stag’s Hollow since 1995.
The label for this Merlot was a creation of Stephanie Perry and is entitled “Sun Setting on Stag’s Hollow”
All fruit was hand-harvested, bunch-sorted, destemmed and gravity transferred to 1-ton fermenters. Approximately 50% of the berries were left whole and uncrushed. After a 4-day cold soak, the must was warmed and inoculated with selected yeasts. The cap was punched down by hand 3 times daily, and at the ideal tannin extraction, the must was drained of free run juice and the skins were lightly pressed. The wine continued its fermentation in French oak barriques (40% new) through to dryness and then through Malolactic conversion. It was left to mature undisturbed for 18 months before being blended and was bottled without fining or filtration in August 2024.
94.9% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 0.1% Cabernet Franc.
Aroma: Powerful. Lush. Blueberry, blackberry, black cherry and ultra concentrated raspberry. You want to reach in your glass and grab a handful of fruit.
Palate: Youthful and tight. Give it another year in the bottle or drink now and decant for at least an hour. With each well spaced swirl the wine opens up asserting its character with vibrant acidity and moderate tannins. Moderate length with a clean finish saving it from any “decadent” descriptor.
Personality: Think of me in 1964 at The Sands listening to Sammy Davis with lots of bourbon flowing and the air tinged with blue smoke filtering through the stage light beams.
Food Match: Grilled meat (steak, sausage, etc.), charcuterie, roast beef, game pies, burgers, roast lamb (no lemon marinade), stews or black bean and corn chilli .
Cellarbility: Until 2027-year end.
Price: $45 CDN.
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine Rating: 94/100, Gismondi on Wine 92.
(Stag’s Hollow 2022 Renaissance Merlot, Okanagan Valley BC VQA, Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, 750 mL, 13.5%).
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 