Wine column: A dozen bottles to kick off fall

It's inevitable.

Fall follows summer.

It's also inevitable that our wine drinking moods and habits shift this time of year as the weather cools and the nights close in.

The seasons officially switch Sunday at 5:44 am with the autumn equinox -- the moment the sun crosses the equator going from north to south.

As a result, you're probably finding yourself hankering for heavier and textured whites and interesting and warming reds.

This list of 12 wines fit the bill for fall drinking as you put a jacket on to sit on the patio, eat heartier fare and meet family and friends for indoor get togethers rather than alfresco parties.

- Church & State 2019 Syrah ($34) from Oliver

Drink it with the first beef stew of the season you make.

- Burrowing Owl 2021 Athene ($41) from Oliver

A smooth and fascinating blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

- Burrowing Owl 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon ($43) from Oliver

Steaks on the barbecue, everyone.

- Wild Goose 2021 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer ($24 for 375 ml bottle) from Okanagan Falls

Sweet dessert wine you can pair with apple pie or crumbly cheese.

- River Stone 2023 Sparkling White Merlot ($28) from Oliver

The ideal welcome drink when anyone comes over.

- Catina Zaccagnini 2023 Pinot Grigio ($23) from Italy

This wine comes with a tiny piece of dried grape vine tied with straw to the neck of every bottle.

Drink with pizza or pasta in creamy sauce.

- Bread & Butter 2022 Pinot Noir ($21.50) from California's Napa Valley

Hello stuffed-mushroom appy.

- Haywire 2022 Pinot Noir ($30) from Summerland

Another beauty from the winery's aged-in-concrete-tanks program.

- Blasted Church 2023 Viognier ($24) from Okanagan Falls

Seared scallops would go beautifully with this exotic wine.

- Singletree 2023 Siggy ($20) from Abbotsford

From the little-know Siegerrebe grape from Germany comes this lush and aromatic drink.

- Black Hills 2021 Addendum ($60) from Oliver

A plush, elegant and high-end, 85% Merlot- 15% Cabernet blend.

- Over the Fence 2021 Hey Neighbour Red ($34) from Osoyoos

Another fascinating blend, this time Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Mirabel's pizza and pinot

Pinot & Pizza isn't just clever alliteration -- it's also an inspired and casual wine-and-food match.

As such, Sunday's Pinot & Pizza party at Mirabel Vineyards in East Kelowna, from 1 to 4 pm, is onto something.

Mingle on the sunny patio at Mirabel as chef Andrew from Toncini Modern Italian turns out hand-tossed pies to pair with the winery's newly released 2021 Reserve Pinot Noir.

Your $40 ticket gets you a welcome pour of Pinot and half a pizza to enjoy while overlooking vineyards and Okanagan Lake.

Additional glasses of wine and pizza will also be available for purchase.

Tickets at: https://mirabelvineyards.com/collection/

Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.