CheckMate Artisanal Winery Collection

A Singular Mission: Perfecting Chardonnay and Merlot Located on the pristine Golden Mile Bench in British Columbia’s southern Okanagan Valley, CheckMate Artisanal Winery was founded with an ambitious goal: to harness climate change and produce world-class Chardonnay and Merlot that rival the greatest cult wines of Burgundy, Napa, and Bordeaux. Established by Anthony von Mandl (the visionary behind Mission Hill Family Estate), CheckMate operates on a philosophy of hyper-focused specialization, crafting limited-production, single-vineyard wines that capture the distinct microclimates of the Okanagan.

Architecturally striking with its modern installation designed by Seattle’s Olson Kundig, CheckMate pairs cutting-edge precision with minimalist intervention. Under the leadership of Australian-born winemaker Phil McGahan, the estate gained international prestige when its 2015 "Little Pawn" Chardonnay achieved a 100-point score—the first ever awarded to a Canadian table wine by an international critic—cementing the Okanagan Valley on the global fine-wine map.

Glacial Terraces, Sun-Drenched Benchlands & Minimalist Craft CheckMate’s vineyards span distinct sub-regions across the southern Okanagan—including the Golden Mile Bench, Black Sage Bench, Osoyoos, and Oliver—benefiting from one of the world's most unique growing climates:

• Unique Continental Microclimate: During the summer, the southern Okanagan receives up to two more hours of sunlight daily than Napa Valley, paired with hot desert days and dramatic cool nights (diurnal shift) that retain vibrant natural acidity and aromatic tension.

• Complex Glacial Soils: Ancient alluvial fan terraces, mineral-rich gravel, silica, and heavy clay deposits contribute distinct chalky texture and flinty minerality.

• Artisanal Winemaking Philosophy: Wild yeast fermentations, 100% French oak aging (custom-selected from elite Burgundian and Bordeaux tonnelleries), no fining, no filtration, and zero mechanical pumping ensure raw varietal expression and purity.

The World-Class Wine Portfolio

• The Chardonnay Portfolio (e.g., Little Pawn, Capture, Queen Taken, Knight's Challenge): A masterclass in Burgundian elegance combined with New World intensity. Sourced from old-vine plantings, these Chardonnays exhibit complex layers of lemon curd, white peach, toasted brioche, crushed flint, and delicate white floral notes, framed by a rich, satiny texture and bright, mouthwatering acidity.

• The Merlot Portfolio (e.g., Opening Gambit, End Game, Silent Bishop): Bold, structured, and profoundly dark. CheckMate’s Merlots showcase deep aromas of wild blackberry, dark plum, cocoa nib, sagebrush, dried herbs, and warm spices. Broad and velvety on the palate, these red wines feature refined, polished tannins built to age for 15 to 25+ years.

Epicurean Food Pairings

• CheckMate Chardonnay: Pan-seared halibut with lemon-herb butter, butter-poached lobster tails, roasted chicken with black truffles, creamy wild mushroom risotto, or aged Comté and Gruyère cheeses.

• CheckMate Merlot: Prime dry-aged ribeye steak, braised bison short ribs, roasted rack of lamb, duck breast with berry reduction, or dark chocolate desserts.