⏱ 2 min read
The Short Version
What began as a casual custom-crush hobby has evolved into a precision winemaking powerhouse producing world-class, high-scoring Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. By mastering wild yeast fermentations and careful oak integration, the Meyers have turned a side project into an Okanagan estate defined by elegance and texture.
In This Article
Jak Meyer’s transition from stockbroker and mergers and acquisitions specialist to winemaker was never intended to be a serious second career. What began as a custom-crush hobby in 2006 has evolved into a sophisticated operation producing some of the most stylish Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Today, the family manages roughly 8,000 cases annually, anchored by their home farm which includes 11 acres of Pinot Noir, 3 acres of Chardonnay, and 1.5 acres of Gewurztraminer.
Custom crush, having a bit of fun.
Navigating climate and scale
The journey from small-scale custom crushing to a professional estate involved significant evolution. After moving production to Lake Breeze in 2008, they hired Chris Carson, whose New Zealand experience helped shape their growing expertise. Growth hasn’t been without its trials; a recent freeze resulted in a 15% loss in the vineyards, though Jak notes that many vines initially thought dead actually sent up suckers in July and August. The 2024 vintage also required tactical pivots; due to grape shortages, they sourced Chardonnay juice from the Columbia River Plateau in Washington State to produce a fresh, fruit-driven bottling (89/100). Custom crush, having a bit of fun. Despite these hurdles, the estate maintains its commitment to character through wild yeast fermentations for both primary varietals.
Precision in the cellar
The current lineup showcases an impressive mastery of texture and focus. In the Chardonnay expressions, the McClean Creek Road 2023 stands out as a dense, seamless example of the home property’s potential (94/100), while the Micro Cuvée Old Main Road Vineyard 2022 offers intense concentration and stony linearity (95/100). These wines rely on careful oak integration rather than masking the fruit, whether using 25% new oak or more substantial 50% allocations.
This sense of finesse extends deeply into their Pinot Noir. The McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2023 provides a savory, spicy structure alongside concentrated cherry fruit (95/100), but it is perhaps the Old Block 2022 that defines their stylistic peak. Planted in 1994, that wine relies on ethereal elegance rather than power, offering layers of red cherry and cranberry with remarkable purity (95/100). Even the more structured Micro Cuvée from the same vineyard manages to maintain white pepper detail and iodine hints without losing its essential lightness (95/100).
Do you find that old-vine Pinot Noir better expresses terroir through power or through delicate finesse?
Questions & Answers
How did Jak and Janice Meyer transition from a hobby to professional winemaking?
Jak and Janice Meyer transitioned from a custom-crush hobby in 2006 to a sophisticated professional estate operation. What began as a casual pursuit evolved into a serious winemaking business that now manages roughly 8,000 cases annually. Their growth involved moving production to Lake Breeze in 2008 and hiring experienced winemaker Chris Carson to help shape their expertise. Today, their estate is anchored by a home farm featuring Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer vineyards.
What varietals are grown on the Meyer family farm?
The Meyer family farm consists of several dedicated vineyard plots featuring Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer. Specifically, the property includes 11 acres of Pinot Noir, which provides the foundation for their elegant red wines. Additionally, the farm holds 3 acres of Chardonnay and 1.5 acres of Gewurztraminer. These vineyards allow the estate to produce high-quality, character-driven wines through methods like wild yeast fermentation for their primary varietals.
How does the estate manage grape shortages during a vintage?
The estate manages grape shortages by sourcing high-quality juice from other regions to maintain production levels. During the 2024 vintage, a shortage of local grapes required a tactical pivot to ensure they could still produce wine. They successfully sourced Chardonnay juice from the Columbia River Plateau in Washington State to create a fresh, fruit-driven bottling. This approach allowed them to maintain their commitment to quality even when local vineyard yields were insufficient.
What characteristics define the Old Block Pinot Noir from the Meyer estate?
The Old Block 2022 Pinot Noir is defined by its ethereal elegance and remarkable purity rather than raw power. Because these vines were planted in 1994, the wine offers a sophisticated profile featuring layers of red cherry and cranberry. This specific expression represents a stylistic peak for the estate by focusing on finesse. It provides a delicate sensory experience that showcases the potential of older vines through light, nuanced fruit profiles.
Originally reported by Wine Anorak.
