Off the Grid Organic Winery Releases a Special Red Blend in Loving Memory
WEST KELOWNA, BC, August 6, 2025 — Off the Grid Organic Winery is proud to announce their latest release, aptly named In Loving Memory, a deeply personal wine dedicated to the late father of winemaker and proprietor, Sheri Paynter. The unique red blend is a tribute to the heritage and long history of the family’s farming in the Okanagan, while connecting the past, present, and future, with a story that began decades ago.
The journey to create In Loving Memory started in 2019, inspired by a discovery that brought back a piece of family history. Years after Sheri Paynter’s father passed away in 1999, a friend found four forgotten bottles of his 1997 vintage of homemade wine, which inspired Paynter to incorporate a piece of her father's legacy into her own winemaking.
"When my mom made wine jelly from a bottle of the long-lost wine, it gave me an idea: I could make a vintage that included this wine, so I could keep a little piece of it forever! That’s when the idea of In Loving Memory was born." says Sheri Paynter.
When Off the Grid lost 60% of their crop in the freeze of 2022, Sheri saw a unique opportunity to bring her vision to life. “As it wouldn’t comply with the organic certification of our wines, I held off on using my dad’s for a few years until the perfect opportunity came with the freeze of 2022.”
The 2022 In Loving Memory is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Zweigelt, and Merlot. The sustainably farmed Cabernet Franc grapes came from a small, family-run vineyard in Osoyoos, which she blended with Off the Grid's organic Zweigelt and Merlot. Although not certified organic, the vineyard follows the same sustainable practices and values as Paynter’s vines, allowing Off the Grid to make a wine that follows their environmental standards while not impacting their organic certififcations.
“When I came across some Cabernet Franc for sale in Osoyoos that was sustainably farmed on a lovely property with weeds and chickens just like ours, I could finally make my dad’s wine! We made a deal on the grapes, they were picked on November 3rd, then we trailered them back to Off the Grid and pressed them that day.”
After two years of aging in a mix of new and seasoned French oak barrels, the wine was ready for its final, most meaningful step. In a heartfelt moment with her mother and her daughter, Sheri added the last remaining bottle of her father's 1997 Cabernet Franc to the blend. The wine was then hand-bottled and hand-labeled by Sheri's daughter, Paige, who also crafted the wax seals, featuring her favorite flower to symbolize the connection between generations.
This red blend offers notes of raspberry, cherry, and plum, with subtle rose, dark chocolate, and mint on the nose. On the palate, it delivers a velvety smoothness with red fruit notes. The wine's medium-plus acidity and smooth tannins make it both approachable now and age-worthy for up to six years.
In Loving Memory sips beautifully with expertly paired dishes. Sheri worked as a chef before switching careers to winemaking and developing recipes to pair with her wines. “With our wine club members, every time they get a shipment I include a recipe card for a dish that pairs with each wine in their order. For In Loving Memory, its gentle tannins and balanced acidity are a perfect match for aged cheddars, herbed cheeses, red sauce and chorizo pasta, smoky BBQ ribs, or grilled vegetables with balsamic reduction. The herbaceous notes also complement dishes with herbs and garlic, like a herb-crusted roast chicken or turkey.”
The 2022 In Loving Memory red blend will be available for purchase exclusively at Off the Grid Organic Winery and through its online store.
About Off the Grid Organic Winery
Off the Grid Organic Winery is a certified organic farm and winery located in West Kelowna, British Columbia. The family-run business is dedicated to sustainable practices, producing high-quality, handcrafted wines while honoring the land and its history.
