CheckMate Artisanal Winery

Follow us on our journey to make New World Chardonnay & Merlot, with Old World Elegance.

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

2019 Queen Taken Chardonnay
“The fruit farmed for this wine is from Dekleva Vineyard on Golden Mile Bench. Wild yeast fermentation and French oak aging give this wine texture, beginning with aromas of apricots, and finishing long with a hint of wet stone.”
— Schreiner, 95 points

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

Mount Kobau looms above the South Okanagan Valley, with an increased diurnal range, ensuring natural freshness is retained in the Merlot. Harmony and vibrancy are showcased in this region, combined with restrained, elegant red fruit.

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

Wine Enthusiast has chosen the top 100 most collectible, cellar-worthy wines of 2022, and we are proud to announce our 2019 Silent Bishop Merlot was included in this list, scoring 93 points.

“Forward aromas with notes of dark raspberry, cedar, and a whiff of mesquite smoke."

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

From February 8 - 12, celebrate the season of love in our romantic lounge. We’ll dim the lights, turn up the jazz, and pair our romantic wines with elegant bonbons from Karat Chocolate. Space is limited so we recommend booking ahead to reserve your table.
https://t.co/Qgw5QpnsM0

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

"Winemaker influence through vessel selection is evident in Attack, where the style is driven by the larger oval cask employed to craft this wine. Unforced, unhurried winemaking results in wines that are true expressions of our single vineyard sites.”
— WINEMAKER, Phil McGahan

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

Our Estate vineyards include Dekleva and Combret, both situated side by side on Golden Mile Bench. Home to our Chardonnay vines planted in the late 90's, these two sites were the genesis of CheckMate, providing the fervor for the creation of the winery.
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[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

With a vineyard of the pedigree of Jagged Rock, a 100 point score is akin to a hole in one. Our 2019 Little Pawn Chardonnay has received another 100 point score for the fourth time.

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[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

“Merlot is the unheralded King of CheckMate. The juxtaposition between subregions within the valley are highlighted, emphasizing site selection, vine age, and fastidious winegrowing, employing time-honoured techniques in our winemaking.” — WINEMAKER, Phil McGahan

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

2018 Black Rook Merlot, 94 points
“Elegant and precise with moments where lushness takes over. It finishes with controlled flavor, with the tannins reasserting themselves as it shuts down a bit. It's aromatic and a little sexy on the nose.”
— Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

2019 Knight’s Challenge Chardonnay, 99 points
“Sourced from Sunset Vineyard on Black Sage Bench. Wild yeast fermentation and French oak ageing for 16 months. Complex with aromas of lychee and sagebrush, delivering rich layers of ripe peach with a honeyed finish.”
— Schreiner

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

With September coming to a close and harvest started, we have seen more movement of grapes coming into the winery. This past week, we have brought in fruit sourced from Combret Vineyard, the oldest vine planting in Canada, fated for our Queen’s Advantage Chardonnay.

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

It is with great anticipation that we have our first pick of the season scheduled today. Situated in South Okanagan and planted over twenty years ago lies our Sunset Vineyard. The grapes sourced from Block 11C in this vineyard are destined for our Knight’s Challenge Chardonnay.

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

The first grapes just landed at the crush pad! The spring was unseasonably cool, followed by a warm summer. A slow start to the season, the fruit quality ripening is phenomenal. Low yields translates to intensity and concentration in the cellar.

Cheers!
Phil McGahan, Winemaker

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

“To be successful in chess or wine, you must be thinking several steps ahead in tactics and decision making {...}There’s no rushing in chess or wine; the best moves are well thought out."
— Anthony Gismondi, Wine Critic

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

2018 End Game Merlot, 95 points.
"The fruit for this wine is from vineyards on the Black Sage Bench and Osoyoos East Bench. Wild yeast fermentation mixed with new French oak aging for 21 months. Aromas of black cherry, plum and spice."
— John Schreiner, Wine Critic

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

2017 Little Pawn Chardonnay, 98 points.
"The wine begins with a lovely perfume of rose petals and mandarin orange. On the structured palate, there are flavours of peach." —Schreiner

Acquire our award-winning Little Pawn Chardonnays, large format-style.
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[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

Be our guest and experience a timeless tasting with us. Featuring a guided exploration of Chardonnay and Merlot and complete with gold-standard service. Just one of the ways we are committed to changing the game.

Acquire seating.
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[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

Nestled in the Okanagan Highland foothills of the Black Sage Bench just southeast of the town of Oliver lies Jagged Rock Vineyard. Our viticulturists describe the site as a near-perfect, self-contained micro-terroir with fine-grained and well-drained soil.

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

Unfined, Unfiltered.

Our Merlots and Chardonnays are a testament to the unique expression of the terroir in the South Okanagan. Hand-sorted, wild fermented, and periodic stirring of lees (bâtonnage) all contribute to the texture and mouthfeel of our New World wines.

[CheckMate Artisanal Winery @checkmatewinery]

2019 Attack Chardonnay, 94 points.

"Fermented and aged just under 500 days in two French oak foudres, setting this Chardonnay free, added a dash of minerality, keeping its pure fruited Chardonnay flavours in check — an impressively next world Chardonnay."
— Anthony Gismondi