I've been to the Okanagan Valley for the last 4 summers; I consider La Frenz a rare gem. The winemaking at La Frenz consistently ranks with the most distinct and rewarding. I've served the reds at several meals with friends (gourmet "club" with a "unknown" winery theme).. La Frenz impresses each time. I also recommend the Alexandrine and Chardonnay Reserve.

This is one of my favorite wineries anywhere. It’s operated by Jeff and Niva Martin. Jeff is an Australian who worked at McWilliams winery before coming to Canada. He worked with Quail’s Gate for five years before starting La Frenz. Jeff is not only a talented winemaker, but he is adventurous. He is probably the only winemaker in Canada who is making an Aussie-styled Liqueur Muscat dessert wine, not to mention a Tawny Port. However, it is Jeff’s table wines that caught my attention. His whites are vibrant but with a surprising depth of flavour and a long, crisp finish. The La Frenz Semillon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Alexandria are spectacular summer sippers. Jeff’s Chardonnays have an Aussie bent to them with their lush flavours and lashings of classy French oak. The La Frenz reds are not bashful wines. In many ways, La Frenz is pushing the envelope with the deep, bold style of their reds. I’m interested to see how these dramatic reds will age. Unfortunately, they keep disappearing from my cellar. One of the best La Frenz reds is their Shiraz (remember, the Martins are Australian, so they can call it Shiraz rather than Syrah), but it may the hardest La Frenz wine to find. - Rob Dobson, Wine Columnist, Savour Life Magazine