The story behind Tinhorn Creek
Tinhorn Creek was planted in 1993 by the Oldfield and Shaunessy families, back when the South Okanagan had only a few acres of vines to its name. It grew into one of the anchors of the Oliver wine scene and the Golden Mile Bench.
The winery has never been shy about going first. In 2004 it became the first in Canada to switch from cork to screw cap across its range, a move that raised eyebrows and then got copied.
Two benches, one estate
Tinhorn Creek is fully estate-grown, which is rarer than it sounds. It farms two distinct sites, the cooler Golden Mile Bench and the warmer Black Sage Bench across the valley, and the contrast between them shapes the wines.
The top bottles carry the Oldfield Series label, from Cabernet Franc to Pinot Gris. Sustainability is baked in: in 2007 Tinhorn Creek became Canada's first certified carbon-neutral winery, and it farms as a member of Sustainable Winegrowing BC.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tinhorn Creek known for?
Tinhorn Creek is one of the founding wineries of the South Okanagan and its Golden Mile Bench. It was Canada's first carbon-neutral winery and the first here to move fully to screw caps. The Oldfield Series is its top tier.
Where is Tinhorn Creek Vineyards?
Near Oliver, BC, on the Golden Mile Bench in the South Okanagan Valley. It also farms a second vineyard on the Black Sage Bench across the valley, giving it two very different growing sites.
What does Golden Mile Bench mean?
The Golden Mile Bench is a sub-appellation on the west side of the valley near Oliver, the first in BC to earn that official status. Its cooler afternoon shade helps the wines hold acidity and freshness.
