Ruby Blues Winery

I’ll spoil the plot by saying Ruby Blues is amazing and worth the visit in order to spare those with the attention of a ferret on a double espresso who don’t like big words or paragraphs longer that three sentences the remaining 595 words, because there be story time. Two years ago, my girlfriend and I were slogging through West Edmonton Mall (which in the last few years has turned into Guantanamo Bay for chicklet-brains) when we stumbled into a liquor store. Perusing the selection, by almost random we picked up a bottle not out of name recognition but rather aesthetics. It looked pretty. We returned a few days later to our home town and allowed my sister to select one of the several wines we had purchased. And “yoink”, like that, without pause, she snagged that bottle, the Ruby Blues Red Stiletto, following that with her own tale of how she considers it her all-time favorite wine. Period. Two years later, just last fall, my girlfriend and I embarked on our first official wine trip. Over a week, we visited 60 wineries and returned with 120 bottles. So of course, given the hype laid on thicker than Sofia Vergara’s accent, Ruby Blues had to be a destination. Unlike American political ads, this is propaganda you can believe—Ruby Blues is astonishing. Its history is coupled with the competing Red Rooster across the street. The owner of Ruby Blues had started with the other winery, but their phenomenal success proved overwhelming, and after the anxiety of dealing with marketing, winemaking, and weddings around an already expansive and expanding business, the owners decided to walk away. They sold all but one of their fields to a conglomerate and retired…for apparently 30 seconds. Ruby Blues came from their desire to remain winemakers, and we are all blessed for it. When judged strictly on personality, Ruby Blues is Steve Jobs before the iPhone launch. Massive. Deserving. The ornamentation is unique if not a little confusing. Externally, Ruby Blues presents itself as trying to reach back to its hippie youth, the grounds dominated by flower-powered Volkswagen microbuses adorned like they were dropped off by Jane Fonda and Stevie Nicks. Inside, that iconography carries into the merchandise as well but is then fringed on all sides by shoes. Women’s shoes…and not casual flip flops, but expensive high heels. Weird. And obviously, that decision carries not only into the winery’s name but in the titles they bestow on their bottles as well. Their signature wines are the red and white stilettos. The building itself is rather small, obviously, when compared to the competition, but it certainly feels welcoming. The tasting is generous, and the staff is friendly. And the wine is good. I typed this while staring at my 1.5-liter Red Stiletto Magnum, numbered 95 out of 150. That’s right, limited edition, and still sealed though not for much longer. We acquired a few other bottles then, but that’s the star from both that winery and our collection entire, right alongside our 2010 Cassini Cellars Maximus Magnum and our 2013 The Prisoner. Ruby Blues, it must be restated, is exactly why you visit Naramata. Not because of some pageantry in the construction of the winery, but in the passion of the winemaking and the intimacy of their setup. The owners obviously know their craft, and it shows. On our second trip, we took our friends with us, and Ruby Blues was one a very short list of repeated location. It’s worth it folks.

Great wine with a beautiful view! This is a unique and more casual winery compared to others in the area. Definitely worth checking out.

This was one of the one of the most fun places to visit on our wine tour...personality, great art, fun accessories and beautiful wines. The hostess was superb.

Such a wonderful little winery! We had a really great tasting experience with Kerry, learning about the history of the winery and wines. Absolutely loved all the wines we tasted and the artwork and aesthetic were charming. Highly recommend stopping by here if you're ever in the Naramata/Penticton area and looking for some wines go try. :)

I believe this winery is owned by red rooster across the street. Staff was professional. Grounds are clean. Wine is cheap and pretty good quality. Worth a visit. They don't have many dry wines at all for Reds. The grounds are clean. They have a small clothing boutique which my wife loved. If ya like sweeter wine it's good. For a seasoned pro you might not be impressed. For someone new for wine tasting it will be nice.

The staff here are as good as the wine. Knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Great wine too. One of my favorite stops.

Really cute winery, lovely host and great white wines. They make single varietals and there's a real passion for the wine making process. Highly recommend.

This is beautiful and cozy winery. Great wine for reasonable prices. Our tasting was done by incredible nice lady, (unfortunately I don't remember her name but she was originally from South Africa). She had great knowledge and make our experience feels special. Beautiful place to stopped by, they even accept us without appointment. And nice wine shop as well with funny socks for sale. Don't miss it!