Okanagan Revisited: Chapter Eight —Wild Goose Vineyards: Where the Aromatics Fly High

Leaving Painted Rock, we ventured 15 minutes south to Okanagan Falls, a name both evocative and misleading. The “falls” are long gone, replaced in the 1950s by dams built to tame seasonal flooding. What remains is a gentle landscape of rapids and riparian calm—but also one of the Okanagan’s most quietly celebrated wine-growing subregions. Our next destination, Wild Goose Vineyards, marked one of my first-ever visits to this part of the valley.

Founded in 1983 by Adolf Kruger, the winery owes its name to a moment of unexpected grace: a flock of Canada geese rose from the ground as Adolf approached his newly acquired property, and the image stuck. The name “Wild Goose” captures not just a memory but also the spirit of flight, freedom, and the pursuit of something elemental—an apt metaphor for the winery’s journey.

Initially planted with Riesling and Gewürztraminer, the Kruger family began as grape growers supplying fruit to others. But by 1990, they had taken the plunge into winemaking, producing their first bottlings of Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Maréchal Foch. The results were impressive—and persistent. Over the decades, Wild Goose earned a loyal following and a reputation for crafting award-winning aromatic whites and cool-climate reds, staying true to its roots while evolving with the region.

The estate now spans three vineyard sites: the original Okanagan Falls property, where Riesling thrives on a south-facing slope with glacial soils and Gewürztraminer vines root deeply into light clay; Mystic River Vineyard in Oliver, defined by sandy clay and pea gravel near the river’s edge, ideal for expressive Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer; and the newest acquisition, Sumac Slope Vineyard, purchased in 2018. Located just a stone’s throw from the original site, Sumac Slope features a glacial till and has quickly become a stronghold for Pinot Noir, offering wines that capture the nuance of the Okanagan Falls sub-GI.

In July 2021, Wild Goose entered a new chapter. The Wyse family of Burrowing Owl Vineyards acquired the property—a move that brought together two iconic names in the South Okanagan wine scene. With Burrowing Owl’s dedication to quality and sustainable practices, Wild Goose is now under the wing of experienced custodians ready to elevate its legacy even further.

Our tasting took place on a serene terrace overlooking the home vineyard. Chris Wyse, President of Burrowing Owl and now also a steward of Wild Goose, hosted us personally. The Wild Goose portfolio impresses with not only its stylistic consistency and expressive varietal character, but also its remarkable accessibility. Retail prices for the wines tasted range from CA$17.99 to CA$29.99, with an average of CA$22.93—a rare combination of quality and affordability in today’s market. This strong value proposition considers Wild Goose an ideal choice for everyday enjoyment without sacrificing craftsmanship or regional expression.

Tasting Notes

Gewürztraminer 2022

Crafted in the Wild Goose signature style—lush, generous, and slightly off-dry—this Gewürztraminer blends estate and contracted fruit picked late for higher sugar and flavour intensity. After fermentation, it rested five months on lees before bottling to capture freshness. The result is a bold, expressive white bursting with aromas of lychee, rose petals, and exotic fruit—apricot, melon, papaya, and honeysuckle, with an underlying whisper of spicy ginger and cloves. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and plush, with sweet tropical and stone fruit flavours lifted by crisp acidity and mineral nuances. Turkish delight, rosewater, and orange zest echo through the juicy finish. No after-taste oily bitterness as you may often find in many a Gewürztraminer.

12.5% abv

Riesling 2023

An off-dry style built around bright orchard fruit, this Riesling is crafted for freshness and easy drinking. The nose is open and aromatic—yellow apple, pear, mandarin zest and kaffir mingle with floral hints. The palate delivers ripe peach, lime zest, apple peel, and apricot, grounded by crisp, balancing acidity and a dash of honey. Simple, fruit-driven, and clean, this is a crowd-pleasing expression ready for the table.

Stoney Slope Riesling 2022

This limited bottling comes from select rows on the home estate’s south-facing slope in Okanagan Falls, where glacial till and light clay lend a vibrant mineral edge. Fermented predominantly with wild yeast—fondly dubbed “Goose Gone Wild”—and partially barrel-fermented à la Keller, the wine is a dry, powerful Riesling. The nose opens with lime zest, flint, and honeyed green apple. The palate is racy and textural, balancing peach, nectarine, dried apricot and wet stone with lemon verbena and grapefruit peel. It’s zesty, intense, and lingering—a Riesling lover’s Riesling.

11.3% abv

Pinot Blanc 2023

A small-production gem showing aromatic clarity and finesse. The nose is fresh and intense with citrus (lemon and ruby grapefruit), orchard fruit (pear and green apple), and hints of vanilla. The palate is clean, crisp and dry, delivering Asian pear, lime, and mandarin orange with subtle floral notes. Balanced and linear with a citrus-bright finish that carries a whisper of apple peel and hibiscus.

Pinot Gris 2023

A varietal mainstay for Wild Goose since its founding, this Pinot Gris is sourced from both estate and higher-elevation vineyards farther north. It leans into the Okanagan Valley’s orchard heritage with intense ripe tree fruit flavours, especially pear and peach. Juicy and mouth-filling, it finishes with lip-smacking persistence, offering a textbook example of a BC Pinot Gris with breadth and charm.

13.3% abv

Pinot Noir 2022

Sourced from vineyards in the South Okanagan, this Pinot Noir was de-stemmed, cool-fermented in stainless steel, and matured for nine months in oak barrels. The wine shows ripe red and black fruits—cherry, plum, and cooked strawberry—alongside hints of toasty cedar, violets, and pie crust. On the palate, it’s supple and fruit-forward, with soft tannins, crisp acidity, and subtle earthiness and spice notes of cinnamon. Friendly and approachable, yet varietally true.

Gamay Noir 2021

Bright, juicy, and vivacious, this Gamay captures the varietal’s playful spirit. Aromas of raspberry, blueberry, violets, and baking spice lead to a crunchy, silky, and mineral-driven palate. Low in tannin but high in acid, it offers a lively mix of red berries, cherry, and white pepper, with savoury dried herbs and a graphite note carrying through an exquisite finish.

Cabernet Merlot 2020

A beautiful blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon from an exceptional South Okanagan vintage. Deeply coloured, it opens with warm, savoury aromatics—tobacco leaf, liquorice, violet, and dried herbs. The palate mirrors the nose, offering plush red and black plum, black cherry, and a dusting of cocoa and dried sage. Firm tannins and fresh acidity frame the fruit, while subtle graphite and espresso add polish to the finish. Structured yet drinkable now—particularly with grilled meats—and a fine expression of vintage character at a very accessible price point.

Final Thoughts

There is something quietly defiant about Wild Goose—an estate that chose to go its own way before the Okanagan had found its stride and which continues to soar with confidence and authenticity. The wines are not shouty; they sing in harmony, lifted by the land and guided by experience. And with a new chapter now unfolding under the Wyse family’s care, Wild Goose is once again in flight—this time, perhaps, even higher than before.