SpearHead Winery Named 'Winery of the Year' at 2024 National Wine Awards
South East Kelowna's SpearHead Winery is celebrating a historic win at the 2024 WineAlign National Wine Awards. The winery took home the coveted title of 'Winery of the Year' and also snagged the 'Best Performing Small Winery' award, marking a third consecutive year in that category. SpearHead's success story is rooted in an unprecedented sweep of the Pinot Noir category, achieving a total of eight medals for its Pinot Noirs, including three platinum, one gold, three silver, and one bronze.
A Medal for Every Pinot Noir
This accomplishment is a testament to the meticulous winemaking of SpearHead's general manager and winemaker, Grant Stanley. "We feel this is a great award for a winery of our size," Stanley said. "We are a humble business enterprise by nature and it’s really great to see that money can’t buy this award. It’s about heart and passion and having a great team." The judges were equally impressed. "They notched unparalleled success in a single category (Pinot Noir) in the (23-year) history of these awards," pointed out Vancouver-based judge DJ Kearney. "(SpearHead won) a total of eight medals for their Pinots, including three platinum, one gold, a trio of silvers and a bronze."
The three platinum medals were enough to secure the 'Winery of the Year' title. SpearHead's medal haul includes:
- Platinum: 2022 Club Consensus Pinot Noir ($37)
- Platinum: 2022 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir ($46)
- Platinum: 2022 Saddle Block Pinot Noir ($39)
- Gold: 2021 Golden Retreat Pinot Noir ($39)
- Silver: 2021 Club Consensus Pinot Noir ($37)
- Silver: 2021 Cuvee Pinot Noir ($46)
- Silver: 2022 Braided Hill Pinot Noir ($39)
- Silver: 2022 Clone 95 Chardonnay ($36)
- Silver: 2022 Pinot Gris ($24)
- Bronze: 2023 Gamay Rose ($27)
- Bronze: 2022 Riesling ($28)
- Bronze: 2021 Saddle Block Pinot Noir ($39)
SpearHead's Commitment to Quality
SpearHead's commitment to quality over quantity is reflected in its production of less than 10,000 cases annually. "Our commitment to staying small and focused on Pinot Noir is paying off," said Stanley. "Many producers I admire worldwide limit their production to concentrate on quality over quantity." SpearHead's focus on Pinot Noir has paid off handsomely, attracting a loyal following of wine enthusiasts.
A Story of Passion and Dedication
SpearHead Winery was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Bill and Marina Knutson. Their vision was to create a nationally recognized winery known for its premium wines, particularly Pinot Noir. "Our ambition has been to create a nationally recognized winery for premium wine, especially Pinot Noir," said Bill. "Winning 'winery of the year' at the 2024 National Wine Awards is a great honour and affirms our progress. This success is thanks to our dedicated team, led by Grant Stanley."
A Bright Future
The historic wins at the 2024 WineAlign National Wine Awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the SpearHead team. The winery's success is sure to propel sales of its award-winning wines, especially the platinum Pinot Noirs. SpearHead's commitment to quality and its passion for Pinot Noir is an inspiration to other wineries. It's a reminder that with dedication and hard work, even small wineries can achieve national recognition.
From Kelowna's Hills to the Nation's Top Wineries
SpearHead's success story is a testament to the growing reputation of British Columbia's wine industry. The Okanagan Valley is quickly becoming a world-renowned wine region, attracting winemakers from around the world. As SpearHead continues to push the boundaries of Pinot Noir production, it's sure to remain a leader in the Canadian wine scene. The winery's accolades are a reflection of its commitment to quality and its passion for creating exceptional wines.
