Leandro Nosal is the Winemaker at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards in Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Leandro grew up in Mendoza, one of the world’s Great Wine Capitals, where his passion for winemaking and viticulture began. His belief in low-intervention winemaking has taken him around the globe, gaining experience in France, New Zealand, and with renowned producers like Pernod Ricard and Grupo Penaflor. With degrees in agricultural engineering from the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo and a Master’s in viticulture and oenology from Montpellier and Torino, Leandro now leads winemaking at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, excited to showcase the unique character of the Southern Okanagan in every bottle.
Media Inquiries: Sierra Simpson, Town Hall Brands sierra@townhallbrands.com | https://www.tinhorn.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
I think what is most unique and memorable about Tinhorn Creek is linked to its origins and how that founding spirit showed up in two very important ways. More than 30 years ago, it all started as a small and fun project between four friends. Through big dreams, ambition, and an amazing terroir, it grew to become what it is today. In the mid 90’s when Tinhorn Creek was established, there were not a lot of wineries in the Okanagan Valley, and Tinhorn Creek, as one of the first few, was a pioneer in many aspects. The first one was Cabernet Franc. When most people were not paying much attention, Tinhorn Creek saw the potential of this grape in the South Okanagan early on and made a real commitment to it, helping define what the region could offer to the world. The second one was sustainability. Tinhorn Creek became the first Carbon Neutral Winery in Canada at a time when very few people in the wine industry were even thinking about this, not to follow a trend, but out of a genuine respect for the land that makes everything possible. More than 30 years later, these two things still say a lot about who Tinhorn Creek is and what it cares about.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
If there were no constraints in terms of resources and time, one thing I would love to do is find other varieties that could flourish and produce outstanding wines here in the Okanagan Valley. It breaks my heart to know that out of more than 10,000 known vinifera varieties, the wine industry as a whole focuses on just a small handful. I truly believe there is a massive and largely untapped potential waiting in the thousands of varieties we have never really given a chance. Varieties that have never been tried on different terroirs, in different climates, with different soils. We simply do not know what we are missing.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
If I had to choose just one wine, I think our Innovation Series Cabernet Franc, Crafted in Barrel, is the most emblematic of Tinhorn Creek. Since the beginning, we have had a strong belief that Cabernet Franc was the variety to show the amazing potential of our terroir. This wine is a selection of the most elegant and distinctive barrels that we believe, when blended, create something truly special in our portfolio. Among the four different Cabernet Franc wines we produce at Tinhorn Creek, this one is by far the most emblematic. Stay tuned, this wine review is coming soon!
Bonus Question: Why Winemaking?
It all started growing up in a family where wine was not only on the table but also a way of making a living. Two of my great-grandparents owned wineries and vineyards, and I grew up in the world of wine. Since high school, I knew I wanted to work in this industry, though I was not sure if it was the vineyards or winemaking where I belonged. Over time, I migrated from working in the vineyards to winemaking, where I have found my place in the industry.