South Okanagan Boldness, Freshness and Value!
...because the winemaker Andrew Windsor has built a spectacular and diversified line-up of wines. After spending time in New Zealand, Australia, France, as well as Niagara and the Okanagan, he knows exactly what it takes to make“ World Class” wines.
...because you’ll find a 94pt Cabernet-Syrah, which made it to our Top 10 Wines of 2023. There are also two outstanding 93pt wines in this feature including a 2014 bubbly that can rival any from Champagne and spent 72 months on lees.
...because the Bush Vine Syrah is back and the new 2021 is just as exciting as the two previous blockbuster vintages!
...because they gave us a great deal on shipping including FREE SHIPPING for 12+ bottles!
Carl's Top Picks for You...
Your 6-Bottle Maverick Discovery Pack: $216.68
including tax & deposits
✔️ 2021 “Bush Vine” Syrah | $40.33 | 93pts
✔️ 2021 Cabernet-Syrah | $46.08 | 94pts
✔️ 2020 “Rubeus” Red Blend | $31.13 | 92pts
✔️ NV “Ella – Premiere Cuvée” Brut Rosé | $40.33 | 91pts
✔️ 2022 Sauvignon Blanc | $27.68 | 92pts
✔️ 2022 Rosé | $31.13 | 90+pts
Bonus Picks: get all 4 for $192.37
including tax & deposits
✔️ 2020 “Renegade” | $51.83 | 92+pts
✔️ 2022 “White” Pinot Noir | $40.33 | 90pts
✔️ 2022 “Amber” Gewurztraminer | $34.58 | 90pts
✔️ 2014 “Ella Family Reserve” Methode Traditionnelle | $65.63 | 93pts
FREE SHIPPING for 12+ BOTTLES!
Carl's Notes
2021 Maverick “Bush Vines” Syrah
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley 100% Syrah | Dry | 14.0% ABV
93pts Carl’s Wine Club, Gold, National WineAlign
For the 3rd year in a row, Maverick did a fantastic job with their Bush Vines Syrah. The 2021 version is dark and bold, dense and compact and clearly navigated the very challenging growing season of that vintage successfully. The Bush Vines Syrah is from a single vineyard on the Golden Mile sub-appellation of the Okanagan Valley where big grape varietals reign supreme. Aged for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak, this stunning wine offers a note of ripe black fruits like dark plum, ripe blackberry and black currant, dark cocoa, cigar box and oak spices. The palate is soft and compact offering a dense sequence of fruity flavours followed by torrefaction and spices. Cassis, black plum, vanilla, blue berry jam (mid-palate), expresso coffee, white pepper and charcoal are some of the leading components of the wheel of flavours of this wine. The texture is soft and rich, but the tannins are still very present yet silky, which I found totally appropriate for a 2021 vintage. This will age well for another 8 years and is a steal of a deal at this price point. (CWC, Dec 28, 2023) 325 cases made.
Food pairing: beef chili, smoked brisquet
Drink now until 2030
Winery price: $40.33 including tax & deposit
2021 Maverick Cabernet-Syrah
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
60% Cab Franc, 34% Syrah, 6% Cab Sauv | Dry | 14.0% ABV
94pts Carl’s Wine Club | #10 on Carl’s Top Wines of the Year, 2023
This is a gorgeous wine, a wine of class and distinction, with superb flavour definition! Co-fermented Cab Franc and Syrah, aged for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak. The addition of a splash of Cab Sauv brings structure, depth and intensity. It’s complex and cerebral, but also juicy and so well balanced. On the nose you’ll find very expressive aromas of dark cherry, cherry wood, cassis, blueberry, vanilla, sandalwood, pencil shavings and a hint of violet. The palate is soft and generous, approachable and well defined. At first, black cherry and blackberry are coming at you with discretion followed by cassis and a swirl of black forest cake. The mid palate is filled with black currants, smoked meat, leather, a hint of fresh herbs and dark licorice. The finish is soo long with cedar box and tobacco leaves, also including a nice sequence of spices such as black cracked pepper followed by Turkish delight. This wine has the material and everything that I’m looking for in order to be included in my Top 10 Wines of the Year. An absolute GEM and very well priced. I sure hope to see this wine coming back in the future, as this was the first of its kind made at Maverick Estate. (CWC, Dec 28, 2023) 95 cases made.
Food pairing: BBQ smoked ribs, beef tartare
Drink now until 2030
Winery price: $46.08 including tax & deposit
2020 Maverick “Rubeus” Red Blend
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
85% Merlot, 13% Syrah, 2% Cab Franc | Dry | 14.0% ABV
92pts Carl’s Wine Club, 92pts John Schreiner, 91pts WineAlign
This is a fantastic showing for a $27 red ($31 all-in). I mean, very freaking good and sooo well priced. The Merlot showcases roundness and an explosion of fruitiness, while the Syrah brings depth, back-bone and complexity. A great mix of red and blue fruits offering a modern and easy-going delivery. On the nose, the red fruits come out expressive with red cherry, red currant and raspberry jam, while red licorice, white chocolate and cedar box also bring substance to the aromas. The palate is soft and energetic with the emergence of red marachino cherry, blueberry, cassis and blue plum as dominant flavours. I sure enjoy the length of the finish highlighting the classic pepper component of the Syrah. Bonus point for the outstanding QPR. This is ready to drink and will keep shining for another 3 to 5 years. (CWC, Jan 4, 2024). 1,610 cases made.
Food pairing: Bolognese pasta, grilled BBQ ribs with smoky sauce
Drink now until 2028
Winery price: $31.13 including tax & deposit
2022 Maverick Rosé
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
100% Syrah | Dry (RS 1.7 g/ltr) | 12.5% ABV
90+pts Carl's Wine Club , 92pts John Schreiner
For the 2022 vintage, Maverick has taken a “crowd pleaser” approach with his bone dry, 100% Syrah, all stainless-steel, rosé. On the nose the aromas of jolly rancher, strawberry cantaloupe and honey melon are appealing, friendly and approachable. On the palate, the acidity is bright and perfectly counters the sweet berry jam of the first wave. The mid-palate is where the magic happens with strawberry-rhubarb pie flavours, a hint of fresh herbs and nice salty minerality on the finish. While the complexity is not the calling card of this wine, the length and approachability stand out and will make lots of people happy. (CWC, 9/4/23). 422 cases made.
Food pairing: feta and strawberry salad, grilled rainbow trout
Drink now until 2025
Winery Price: $31.13 including tax & deposit
2022 Maverick Sauvignon Blanc
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
100% Sauvignon Blanc | Dry (RS 3.1 g/ltr) | 12.5% ABV
92pts Carl's Wine Club, 94pts John Schreiner
This is a multidimensional Sauvignon Blanc, one of the best of the vintage, offering texture and richness vis a vis a bright and tangy acidity! Stainless steel fermentation was used with a touch of barrel ferment. This exciting combination offers aromas of tropical fruits but also the traditional pink grapefruit and lime that you should expect from a good and complex Sauv Blanc. On the palate, flavours of passion fruit and pineapple come right before a hint of orange blossom, sweet citrus and green apple. The finish brings a hint of tartness, orange-peel-like, and light spices, which add extra layers of complexity and a distinctive salinity to close out a sensational experience. Verdict: this is a FANTASTIC wine, putting the potential of this grape varietal in the South Okanagan on full display…a real Maverick Classic. (CWC, 26/3/23). 1,039 cases made
Food pairing: pan seared sole filet, scallop ceviche
Drink now until 2027
Winery Price: $27.68 including tax & deposit
NV Maverick “Ella – Premiere Cuvée” Brut Rosé
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay | Dry (RS 6.0g/L) | 12.0% ABV
91pts Carl’s Wine Club | Silver Medal WineAlign National Wine Awards
Here we have an approachable, easy drinking sparkling with soft texture that is great for everyday celebrations. A slight shadow of pink enhances the colour of this festive juice. A discreet nose of tangerine, cranberry and orange blossoms announces a Pinot Noir dominance for this Traditional Method Sparkling. Bright acidity and a mouth-watering palate, with flavours of cranberry, strawberry, lemon zest, red apple, honeysuckle and peach across the whole palate. Overall, this is a very honest and straight-forward bubbly with pure flavours and a creamy mousse. (CWC, 16/10/22). 240 cases made.
Pairing: eggs benny with smoked salmon, scallop ceviche
Drink now until 2026
Winery price: $40.33 including tax & deposit
Bonus Picks
2020 Maverick “Renegade”
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
78% Merlot, 22% Cab Franc| Dry | 14.0% ABV
92+pts Carl’s Wine Club, 92pts John Schreiner, 91pts WineAlign
This is the flagship wine of Maverick Estate Winery, a wine that perfectly represents the South Okanagan terroir & Golden Mile terroir, but also a great representation of the great 2020 vintage. On the nose, the aromas of cherry wood, dark cherry and cassis reminds me of the Maverick Cab-Syrah in a sense, with the addition of oak spices and a fresh herbs component. The palate is soft, creamy and mouthfilling, the tannins are smooth and velvety, and the oak profile stands right in the mid palate - just like it should, showcasing a sophisticated wine built with purpose. Flavours of ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, vanilla, dark cocoa, pencil lead and toasted spices. This wine has lots to offer and surely delivers and matches all expectations. The finish has multiple dimensions, reminiscent of a modern but balanced California blend. The alcohol is very well managed, and this wine is already approachable. Another Superstar wine by Andrew Windsor and his Team!!! (CWC, Jan 3, 2024) 499 cases made.
Food pairing: lamb chops, braised short ribs and mash potatoes
Drink now until 2028
Winery price: $51.83 including tax & deposit
2014 Maverick “Ella Family Reserve” Methode Traditionnelle
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay | Dry (RS 4.0g/L) | 12.5% ABV
93pts Carl’s Wine Club | 94pts John Schreiner
I’m dove into this complex bottle of Traditional Method Sparkling with patience and dedication. The cerebral part of a complex bubbly really awakens my geeky side. Disgorged in 2020, after sitting for 72 months with yeast contact (on lees), this sparkling wine has developed as one of the finest in the country and can rival any true Champagne - but offering a much better price-point. The aromas of this wine are quite exceptional, including an extensive brioche, croissant and other baking activities. Pear, poached apple, white flowers and Christmas cookie aromas are also noticeable. The palate is fresh and elegant, refined and bright, melodious and extremely complex. The mousse is generous, tenacious and drapes a velvety feeling over the experience. The flavours are on the bready spectrum, also including red cherry, cranberry and orchard fruits like pear, apple and nectarine. Very well rounded, stunningly complex and wonderfully delicious. To open on a very special occasion. (CWC, Dec 31, 23). 38 cases made.
Pairing: oysters on the half shell, white truffle gnocchi
Drink now until 2026
Winery price: $65.63 including tax & deposit
2022 Maverick “White” Pinot Noir
BC, Okanagan Valley, VQA Golden Mile Slope
100% Pinot Noir | Dry (RS < 1.0 g/ltr) | 13.0% ABV
90pts Carl's Wine Club
This is textural, gracious and intriguing…definitely a wine you have to try at least once a year! Estate Pinot Noir grapes from the Golden Mile Slope sub-AVA, this White Pinot is made just like a white wine, fermenting the freshly pressed juice without any skin contact. This gives you a soft & rich white wine, with aromas of freshly baked apple pie, pear, honeydew, jasmine and ginger. The complexity on the palate justifies the price-point, by offering rich and deep flavours of baked apple, apple jelly, honeysuckle, orange crème brulee, lemon twist plus a spark of ginger and cinnamon on the finish. To me, the generous usage of oak barrels for this small batch wine takes it from a good wine to a very good wine. Texture and acidity is the calling card here! (CWC, 28/6/23). 188 cases made
Food pairings: roasted chicken, grilled tuna
Drink now until 2026
Winery Price: $40.33 including tax & deposit
2022 Maverick “Amber” Gewurztraminer
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
100% Gewurztraminer | Dry (RS 2.7 g/ltr) | 12.0% ABV
90pts Carl’s Wine Club
Fermented on its own skins and aged in neutral French oak, this amber Gewurztraminer offers a good balance between richness, freshness and complexity. The nose is very intriguing with aromas of lichee, rose petals, orange peel and orchard fruits. The front palate is fresh and zippy, while the mid palate offers texture and richness with flavours of pear, peach, lichee, tangerine, orange marmalade, and a hint of pink grapefruit. The finish is long and delivers a multitude of spice flavours including white pepper (lots of it), cinnamon and nutmeg. This small batch Gew is a unique wine that brings the geek out of me, but also is approachable enough to not scare anyone away. It should bring a tonne of fun around the dinner table offering lots of versatility between bright acidity and the natural sugar of the grapes. (CWC, Dec 29, 2023) 66 cases made.
Food pairing: smoked maple ham, grilled teriyaki chicken
Drink now until 2026
Winery price: $34.58 including tax & deposit
The Story & People
Maverick Estate Winery is located on the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver, BC and within Canada's only desert.
I had driven by Maverick a few times, but never stopped in until their tasting room manager Janik got in touch with me.
Immediately, Mira fell in love with the 2019 Bush Vine Syrah, and I rated it 94 points...later validated by many of our members who tasted it, and a Platinum Award at the 2022 WineAlign competition. By the time word got around, our members had already gotten their hands on cases of it - before it quickly sold out.
We were thoroughly impressed with the discovery of these high quality yet very affordable wines. This gem of a winery started in 2009 and earned rapid accolades from wine lovers.
In 2020, the founders sold the winery to winemaker Andrew Windsor and Jan Nelson. Andrew and Jan had met while working at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, just 6km north of Maverick, and partnered with Bob and Barb Shaughnessy (a founding family behind Tinhorn Creek) in order to purchase Maverick.
Andrew and Jan believe Maverick is a perfect fit for their philosophy, dedication to people, land and community, and approach to winemaking.
This is how the winery describes the name, Maverick: whether in ancient times or today, Mavericks are not afraid to forge their own paths and stay true to what they believe in. We are mavericks: uncompromising in our pursuit and unrestrained in our enjoyment of exceptional wine.
These wines have complexity, boldness, and fantastic value.
Best of all, they're made with minimal intervention and bottled unfiltered, to send you a true taste of the South Okanagan.
Enjoy!
Carl
Andrew Windsoris the winemaker and COO at Maverick.
Andrew brings a unique blend of passion and scientific knowledge to his winemaking.
Born in Ontario, Andrew’s first taste of wine was a friend’s parents’ attempt at homemade wine. It might not have been great, but it didn’t put him off – he went on to take a course in wine while studying at the University of Guelph. In his twenties, Andrew assisted with an ice wine project in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Andrew had quite a wake-up call to the winemaking world when he had to start picking grapes at 3 a.m. in minus 12C to make ice wine.
Andrew earned a Masters of Oenology at the University of Adelaide in Australia in 2008 and then took on an Assistant Winemaking role at Mollydooker Wines in McLaren Vale, where he lived on the beach and cycled to work through vineyards filled with kangaroos.
Andrew is responsible for the winemaking process from vines to bottle. He brings with him a wealth of experience having worked in wineries in the Okanagan, Marlborough in New Zealand and the Northern Rhone in France before returning to Canada to work in Niagara and then on to Tinhorn Creek in the Okanagan.
“France taught me that wine is not just a science but an art form, a culture and an expression of a place. Wine has the ability to take you to a place in the world without leaving your home,” says Andrew. “I want to make the best wine in Canada and the only place I can do that is the South Okanagan.”
Jan Nelson, CEO at Maverick, grew up on a tree fruit farm outside of Oliver, BC, less than 4km north of Maverick.
He left the Okanagan Valley in 1992 to begin over two decades of travel that took him to university in Montreal, business school in Italy to gain his MBA, and over 17 years in Japan before returning to the Okanagan in 2015.
During trips home to visit family, Jan witnessed the growth of the BC wine industry and the transition of land from tree to vine during the 1990s and 2000s. His decision to join the wine industry was inspired by the changes in the Okanagan and partly because he loved drinking the stuff.
In 2002, Jan joined a start-up, importing wines from Washington and Oregon to Japan and has since led export programs for Washington and Napa Valley in Japan, imported Italian food and wine, and consulted for wine-related businesses across Japan. Jan has worked with some of the leading brands from the Pacific Northwest, Napa Valley and Italy.
Jan believes the amazing potential of the BC wine industry is that it isn’t tied down to expectations built up over centuries of winemaking history. This gives the BC wine industry the freedom to try anything and everything.
“I’m proud of where I’m from, so I want people to learn about, experience and enjoy the Okanagan and its wines,” says Jan.
“The industry here is still relatively new, so we are empowered by our future and not limited by our past. We are still discovering our potential, our strengths, as well as our weaknesses. There is no image to which we must conform, and we are surrounded by enthusiasm and not pretension. And you could not find a more beautiful region to share.”
