byJoieFarm General Manager/February 10, 2026/inNews
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Naramata, BC
Tel: 250-496-0093
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If you were to walk through our vineyards on the Naramata Bench this week, you wouldn’t hear the usual hum of tractors or the laughter from the Picnic Lawn. It hasn’t truly snowed on site this year, but there is a crisp, stillness in the air.
To the casual observer, the farm is “sleeping.” But for us, this quiet is deceptive. Winter is actually when some of the most important work of the year happens.
The Art of the Cut
In the coming weeks, our vineyard team will be out in the cold, shears in hand, performing dormant pruning.
Think of a grapevine like a high-performance athlete. If it’s left to its own devices, it will grow wild, producing plenty of leaves but small, diluted fruit. Pruning is the “architecture” of the coming vintage. By selectively cutting back last year’s growth, we are telling the vine exactly where to put its energy when the time comes.
We’re looking for “balance”, so every cut is a calculation. If we leave too many buds, the vine becomes over-stressed and the wine loses its focus. If we prune too hard, we lose the abundance that makes our aromatic whites so expressive.
We aren’t just cleaning up the rows; we are deciding, right now, how your 2026 wines will taste.
Silence is a Resource
Without the rush of harvest or the bustle of the tasting room, we have the time to really listen to the land.
We’re taking samples and observing how the soil is holding moisture and how the “cover crop” (our living carpet of peas and clover) is protecting the earth. This slow-motion farming is what allows us to stay true to our farm-to-glass philosophy. It’s a reminder that great wine isn’t just “made” in the cellar; it is shepherded throughout the entire process with intention.
Winter Pairings: Bringing the Quiet Home
While the vines are in deep dormancy, we’re finding our own version of “wintering” inside. Late winter is the time for slow-cooked braises, crusty bread, and wines that feel like a warm wool sweater.
If you’re looking for a great everyday wine to match the mood of the season, we recommend reaching for our En Famille Pinot Noir or a bottle of PTG. They have that earthy, savory soul that pairs perfectly with a quiet night by the fire while we wait for the first signs of spring on the Bench. Our wine club members might reach for a bottle of Secrest Mountain Pinot Noir or Syrah, both offering bold, complex, and comforting aromas that pair perfectly with a winter evening.
Whatever your pans, we hope you’re finding some “Joie” in the stillness of the season.
