In a year that winemakers across the Okanagan will likely remember as one of the toughest on record, sees opportunity in adversity.
Nestled along Black Sage Road in Oliver, this boutique winery isn’t afraid to do things differently. While part of the (IWBC) portfolio—best known for Mission Hill—Red Barn is carving out a distinct identity, embracing a playful, rule-breaking philosophy.
Red Barn focuses on producing what they call collectors' wines without the use of oak barrels, leaning into an "Italian style" that emphasizes simplicity and purity.
Their wines cater to a new generation of consumers, particularly people who may be drinking less often but who want a top-quality wine when they do.
believes that when treated right, the fruit yields exceptional results.
Red Barn's minimal-intervention approach aligns with the winery’s broader commitment to sustainable practices, experimenting with more climate-resilient grape varieties that are better suited to future conditions. Barss is drawn to "underrated" varietals and enjoys "showing people how amazing they can be."
The Okanagan native left the region for her studies and training but came back in 2020 and has been thriving in her role at Red Barn, where she has been able to push some boundaries and embrace the guiding principle of having fun.
Red Barn's young portfolio reflects this “no-rules” mentality, with playful offerings like the , the , and the —a nod to the winery’s recent focus on Italian varieties.
“2022 was the year of the Italians,” Barss notes.
To that end, given that Red Barn's wines lend themselves ideally to food pairings, the food program at the tasting room is wholly Italian, with casual Roman-style street eats like pizza and panini.
The absolute best way to get to know Red Barn is to do a guided tasting in their beautiful contemporary-meets-rustic space. As fall settles in, visitors to Red Barn in November 2024 can experience the winery solely by booking private tastings, and the venue will close in December and January.
Of course, if you can't make it to Oliver until the sunnier season, take note that Red Barn has a spacious patio with misters and will likely have a robust slate of events and opportunities for wine lovers to drop in or make plans to visit to see what they have been up to.
Red Barn at Jagged Rock is located at 4305 Black Sage Rd in Oliver, B.C.
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