Oasis Lavender: Memories from Garnet Valley Ranch

Last summer, I had the pleasure of photographing some of the most tender, fleeting moments among the fragrant fields of Oasis Lavender Farm, nestled in the embrace of Garnet Valley Ranch. The lavender fields are being maintained, and there may be new owners before the summer is out. The memories it offered still hum like bees in my memory.

Oasis Lavender premium products are still being handcrafted and are available online or at Bella Vita Flowers, Well Pharmacy Penticton, and the Replenish Refillery & Zero Waste Store. 💜

You can explore the offerings and see some of my product photography on the Oasis Lavender Farm website.

One couple I photographed returned to the land with their three daughters, one just weeks old. They had been married in that same field years before it was developed, and to watch them revisit that place, now as a family of five, was profound.

Another client was expecting any day — her glowing silhouette amidst the soft purple rows became one of my favourite images of the season.

Garnet Valley Ranch itself is a rare and breathtaking gem. Tucked into the wild landscapes of Summerland, BC, this 320-acre site was purchased by Okanagan Crush Pad Winery at the urging of Chilean terroir consultant Pedro Parra. With fifteen vineyard blocks planted since 2014 and now boasting 55 acres of Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Chenin Blanc, the ranch is as intentional as it is expansive. Each block is fenced separately, encouraging wildlife to roam freely across the volcanic and glacial soils and into the restored pond that hums with returning life.

My partner Kevin worked on this land during its early days in 2017 — long before the first estate wines were released. I’ve walked these grounds with clients and friends, and had the privilege of touring the property with one of the owners, Steve. When I was more immersed in the wine industry, I brought clients to experience the magic of this space firsthand.

There’s something utterly grounding about this place. With vineyard blocks stretching between 1,968 and 2,230 feet above sea level — the highest in the Okanagan Valley — the energy here feels clear and elevated. The wines reflect that clarity, crafted with low intervention and marked by balanced acidity and elegance.

I watched a great blue heron catch fish in the pond as the sun dipped behind the western hills, casting long golden beams across the water. These moments — quiet, wild, connected — are what keep calling me back.

While the lavender fields may be gone, the beauty of Garnet Valley Ranch remains. And it continues to be a delight and honour to photograph on land that breathes with purpose and possibility.

— Deanna