2024 will be remembered as one of the most challenging years for growers across the Okanagan Valley. A deep freeze wiped out nearly the entire grape harvest, leaving wineries to face a reality that tested both resilience and imagination. For Deep Roots, this moment of crisis led to a surprising opportunity, the creation of One Night Stand, a wine unlike anything we’ve ever made before.
An Unexpected Affair
The cold snap of January 2024 devastated our vineyards, resulting in a 97–99% loss of grapes across the region. For Deep Roots, that meant only 1.4 tonnes of Gamay made it to harvest which is just 2% of what we would normally produce. With reds off the table for several years while new vines establish, we faced the question, “How could we continue to create wines that reflect both our values and our craft?”
The answer came in the form of a temporary regulatory shift allowing B.C. wineries to import grapes without penalty. Washington growers, many family-run and values-aligned, stepped up to help. We travelled south, connected with growers we respected, and selected varietals that inspired us. The fruit arrived in Naramata, and together, for the very first time, Will Hardman (Winemaker) & Heather Hardman (General Manager) crushed and crafted these wines side by side.
Why “One Night Stand”?
We wanted to be transparent, this was always intended to be a one-vintage collaboration. Just as a one night stand is fleeting, this wine is a time stamp. It marks the year when our horizons expanded and our creativity was tested, when we stepped outside our estate vineyards to embrace something new.
The name is cheeky but purposeful. It honours the bold decision, the unforgettable harvest, and the intensity of 2024. And in a sweet twist of fate, Will and Heather’s second child, Josephine, was born just days before bottling our Whites, conceived when the Chenin Blanc grapes first arrived at the winery. Coincidence…we think not!
Washington Fruit with a Naramata Flair
Rather than juice, we brought the grapes themselves across the border and did the crushing here at Deep Roots. The result is a lineup of wines that combine Washington’s unique varietals with the Naramata touch:
- Chenin Blanc: 369 cases
- Pinot Blanc: 169 cases
- Sauvignon Blanc: 338 cases
- Roussanne & Marsanne: 306 cases
- Rosé: 269 cases
Our reds are resting patiently and will be bottled in 2026. Meanwhile, our estate has been replanted with Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and a small planting of Syrah, the promise of what’s to come.
A Year That Changed Us
More than a creative project, One Night Stand represents a bridge between communities. The relationships built with Washington growers are ones we never would have made otherwise, and they reflect the solidarity that defined this vintage across the industry.
As our friends at Tantalus Vineyards, Poplar Grove, and the Wine BC Industry have shared, 2024 demanded resilience, collaboration, and adaptation. One Night Stand is our expression of that same spirit.
A Love Letter to 2024
The back label says it best:
“After a challenging year in our home vineyards, we saw an unexpected opportunity and took a chance. One bold decision, one unforgettable harvest, and one intense crush later, we found ourselves in a fleeting affair with Washington. This wine is a love letter to 2024, the year that tested our resilience and creativity. The year that expanded our horizons, our passion, and let us take our relationship to the next level. Enjoy our one night stand with Washington.”
This wine will never be repeated, but it will always be remembered. A limited vintage, a shared experience, and a chapter in the Deep Roots story.
