Mayhem Wines is a new British Columbia winery run by husband and wife team Terry Meyer Stone and Andrew Stone. It’s a partnership with Terry’s brother, Jak Meyer and his wife, Janice Stevens of Meyer Family Vineyard. Although they may not be well known to all BC wine lovers, Terry and Andrew are experienced professionals who’ve just been working behind the scenes. Terry was previously the wine club manager for Tinhorn Creek Vineyard, is a wine writer and is the co-founder of the Garagiste Festival. While Andrew has worked as a vineyard manager for several wineries (Sunrock, Liquidity and Fort Berens).
Originally the two started the project as Anarchist Mountain Vineyard. They have now shifted trajectory slightly with their family to now bring us Mayhem Wines. If your looking for a unique experience, Mayhem Wines is definitely worth a visit.
* The wine tasted below was given to me by the winery to try. However, no money was exchanged for this endorsement – it’s all authentically from me!
Table of Contents
Mayhem Wines in a Nutshell
Location
Mayhem Wines Website link here
4287 McLean Creek Road
Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R1
They share the same property with Meyer Family Vineyards
General Manager and Owner
Terry Meyer Stone and Andrew Stone.
Winemaker
Ajay Chavan
Vineyards and Vineyard Philosophy
Sustainable agriculture. In extreme conditions, they may rely on some very diluted applications of herbicide.
Sales Representative
Angela Grant
Can I order them - delivery options
You can order them directly from the winery across Canada
Tasting Room
Tastings cost $10 and are available from Monday – Saturday from 11 – 4 (last tasting at 3). After May long weekend, open 7 days a week throughout the summer. Email wineshop@mayhemwines.com to book.
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Mayhem's Tasting Room is at Meyer Family Vineyards
Mayhem Wines’ tasting room is conveniently located on the same property as Meyer Family Vineyards, situated on McLean Creek Road, and just across the street from Synchromesh Wines. Terry, the co-owner of Mayhem Wines, is actually the sister of JAK Meyer of Meyer Family Vineyards. This close relationship provides an opportunity for guests to enjoy tastings at both wineries and benefit from the families’ shared expertise.
If you are travelling to the area, don’t leave without reading my Ultimate Guide to the South Okanagan for local’s secrets on what to eat, where to stay and (other) things to do while you are in the area.
Unleashing Mayhem Wines
While Meyer Family Vineyards focuses on premium single-vineyard wines based on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Mayhem Wines complements this by offering fuller-bodied reds crafted from Bordelais varieties such as Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and a white wine made with Sauvignon Blanc. They also offer a Pinot Gris (I wrote previously that BC Pinot Gris is world-class!), a fortified Gewurztraminer (made from the oldest plantings at McLean Creek Vineyard), and an age-worthy premium ‘Anarchy Mountain’ Merlot.
One unique aspect of Mayhem Wines is their playful approach, reflected in their whimsical label designs that reflect the spirit of the wines. This project is f-u-n, fun!
They have even embraced aluminum cans as an environmentally friendly option, offering sparkling white and Merlot rosé wines in cans. Aluminum is the most effective wine container for reducing the carbon footprint compared to other wine container types. By ordering a case of Mayhem’s canned wines, you can feel good knowing that you are making a sustainable choice.
With so many excellent options to choose from, I’m sure Mayhem Wines will quickly become a favourite among wine lovers in British Columbia.
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Winemaker Ajay Chavan
With the combined experience of Terry + Andrew Stone and Janice and JAK Meyer, it’s no surprise that they were able to secure a gifted winemaker.
Ajay Chavan is another New Zealand expat taking over oenology in BC! After studying at Lincoln University in Christchurch and following harvests around the world, as well as in native Waipara and Auckland, he settled in as Cellar Master for BC’s Checkmate Winery for 5 years.
Now, he is head winemaker at Mayhem wines as well as the assistant winemaker for Meyer (working under the guidance of Chris Carson).
On a visit to Mayem, you’ll likely catch Ajay running lift machinery or completing other necessary winery tasks. Yet, a personal introduction may yield less-than-expected results; his deep New Zealand accent can be challenging 😉
Still, he’s welcoming and gracious, and his wines speak for themselves.
Tasting note
Tasted April 2023
Mayhem Wines Cabernet-Merlot 2021
Initial scents of pretty ripe red plums and some black plums lead to sage, green stems (the Cabernet is Cabernet Franc) and light spice lift. The tannin structure is beautiful – it pulls on your gums, medium and fine. After decanting, (or sitting for a day), the fruits gain richness. Now black fruits take center stage, blueberry, blackberry, black plums and the oak aromas release nutmeg spice. Medium plus length.
This wine whispers to me! The ripe fruits are framed with restrained alcohol (13.5%) and balanced oak. Yes, yes, YES!
Because of the above, this wine is both great for drinking today but will gain some complexity by cellaring 5-10 years. I even expect this wine could last longer.
But I won’t know for sure, ’cause I drank it!
Eat with grilled lamb or bbq hamburgers. Veggies – drink with dark mushrooms, portobello, shitake, or morels mushrooms, or roasted squash dishes with wild rice pilaf. Pour some wine into the dish!
89 points – points are expected to reach into the 90’s with some cellaring. For best results now, give this wine some air (decant, swirl in your glass vigorously, or if you’re in a hurry, try a blender!)
Summary
With Mayhem Wines and Meyer Family Vineyards tasting room on the same property, you’ll taste the full gamut of wines at a visit.
Meyer offers serious premium-single vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. On the other hand, Mayhem is more playful and carries aluminum cans of Merlot Rosé and white sparkling wine, a fortified Gewurztraminer, a dry Sauvignon Blanc (I mean Ajay is a Kiwi!), and a refreshing Pinot Gris. Pick up a bottle of that Cabernet-Merlot while it lasts and don’t think their fun labels and approachable pricing means you can’t lay it down. You can!
Ready to start exploring Okanagan’s wine country?
Check out my Ultimate Guide to the South Okanagan before you sip and savour!
Or sign up for my online wine course, which will give you the knowledge and tools you need to fully enjoy the region’s wines.
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