2024 Harvest Report
It’s been quite a year at Poplar Grove, and our team has been working tirelessly to adapt to the ever-changing conditions in the Okanagan Valley. After an unexpected January cold snap, the 2024 grape harvest in our vineyards will be nearly nonexistent. However, thanks to the resilience of our vines, we’re seeing encouraging signs of recovery. Only 6% of our vineyards will require replanting, with Malbec, Syrah, and Viognier being the most affected by the winter freezing event. We’re optimistic that a mild winter will give our vines the break they need to recuperate.
With the BC government temporarily relaxing licensing rules, we’ve embraced an exciting new opportunity for Poplar Grove. This season, we’ve secured grapes from several high-quality, family-owned vineyards in Washington State. The fruit from these vineyards is nothing short of exceptional, with Pinot Gris, Muscat, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Malbec among the varietals we’re thrilled to be working with to make a selection of white wines and a rosé for the 2024 vintage.
The grapes are sourced from Washington’s Yakima, Horse Heaven Hills, and Goose Gap AVAs, renowned for their distinctive terroir. The partnership allows us to continue focusing on sustainable farming, unique soils, and old vines—values we share with the families who farm these lands.
Stefan Arnason, our Winemaker, Chris Holler, Vice President, and Eric Holler, Viticulturist, have been regularly making the drive to the Washington vineyards to personally oversee the harvests of our partner vineyards to ensure the same level of quality and care that we dedicate to our estate-grown fruit. Once harvested and pressed, the juice is transported in refrigerated trucks to maintain its freshness and quality before it arrives at our winery for fermentation and finishing.
Transporting processed juice rather than whole fruit has proven to be the most efficient approach for this year’s harvest. It allows us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint, as we can ship larger volumes in fewer trips, while also minimizing the energy needed for refrigeration. Additionally, this method ensures there’s no risk of inadvertently bringing pests or soil pathogens across the border, a concern when moving fresh grapes. Juice transport also simplifies the border-crossing process, which helps to maintain the quality of the product for our winemaking team.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to release wines from these Washington vineyards, with plans for special labelling to highlight this collaboration. Despite the challenges, our commitment to producing high-quality, distinctive wines remains unwavering. As we continue to adapt to a changing climate, the Poplar Grove family is confident in the future and eager to share this next chapter with you.
Keep an eye on our updates as we bring you along on this unique vintage adventure.
The Holler Family & The Poplar Grove Team
