Wineries We Would Like to Know Better

Giant Head

Giant Head Estate Winery is a family run boutique winery, located on the bluffs overlooking Okanagan Lake in Summerland, BC.

Owners, John Glavina and Jinny Lee have been growing grapes, and making small case-lot artisan wines since 2008. Coincidentally, Glavina is a Croatian name meaning ‘Giant Head’. 

 

 

Glenterra Vineyards

Glenterra Vineyards maintains 5.5 acres of sustainable farmed vineyards in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island; founded in 1998.

John Kelly and Ruth Luxton are the owners; John is the winemaker.

 

 

Hainle Vineyard Estate    

Perhaps the most historic winery in British Columbia. It has a rich history beginning with the first commercial icewine. Walter Hainle, produced North America's first icewine.

The Hubert family purchased the winery from the Hainle family introducing the Deep Creek Label. They began marketing most of the wines with the new Deep Creek Wine Estate label, named after their first Vineyard.

The Huber’s decided to market most of the wines under the Deep Creek label , while keeping the Hainle name for the Icewine

 

 

Kanazawa Wines

Located in Oliver. Richard Kanazawa began his career in the wine industry as a truck driver for Domaine de Chaberton Winery. His desire to become a winemaker led him to Austrailia. There he was able to further his education, gain experience tasting with accomplished winemakers and play another passion; rugby.

He returned to Canada and the Okanagan to start his own winery. It would not be easy he first worked as winemaker at Red Rooster Winery in Naramata and later at Blasted Church Vineyards

The first vintage of Kanazawa Wines was produced in 2010, Richard and his wife Jennifer made only red wine and sparkling wines. The following year they made a white blend and a late harvest dessert wine.

La Casa Bianca Winery 

A small family run winery in Oliver. La Casa Bianca Winery was named after their daughter Bianca and the beautiful white house on their vineyard.

They are licensed to do grape, gruit, gut (Vin de Noix) and herbal wines (Wine with herbal benefits) – and some Mead in the near future – as bees are such an integral part of their farm!

 

 

Little Tribune Farm & Winery

Located on Hornby Island an organic farm. They produce organic wine, and grow organic blueberries. Believing that healthy soil will produce the best tasting food, blueberries or wine. They grow only white wine grape varieties, which do well in this climate.

They have a rammed earth winery building. A technique for constructing foundations, floors, and walls using natural raw materials such as earth, chalk, lime, or gravel.

The winery has stunning views of the ocean.

 

 

Marionette Winery

 located in the beautiful Shuswap valley near Salmon Arm.

The winery is owned by two very experienced winemakers Amanda Eastwood and Jamie Smith. Jamie is originally from Salmon Arm.  He spent 11 years working and living in Europe.  Most of those years were spent in Spain where he met Amanada. After meeting in Spain both Jamie and Amanda moved to Brighton, England to study degrees in Viticulture and Oenology.  They both completed a BSc. Hons in the subject and began working in both in England and in Europe.

Millstone Estate Winery

A small, family run vineyard nestled in the valley of the Millstone River. On the edge of Nanaimo city limits.

The owner and winemaker is Dale Shortt.  focusing on Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Ortega and Gwertz. They currently have 6+ acres planted and supplement with growers for Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

Eggs,Kale, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, apples are for sale at their weekend farm stand.

 

 

Money Pit Winery

Scott Stefishen laughs when asked to explain this winery’s cheeky name. “Everyone in the industry says if you own a vineyard or a winery, it’s a money pit,” he says. “It doesn’t end.”

Located in Oliver. There is no tasting room. Scott started in his garage.

 

Nighthawk Vineyards

Located in  Okanagan Falls, British Columbia. Nighthawk Vineyards is the passion of Daniel & Christy Bibby and their children

The vineyard has been growing award winning Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for over 15 years. 

Named after  the nighthawk  a nocturnal bird of the subfamily Chordeilinae,

Old Douglas Farm

The Old Douglas Farm house on Lasqueti Island, near Parksville

The Old Douglas Farm, one of the original settlements on Lasqueti, is farmed by Mike Mundy and Cindy Craven. This is the oldest inhabited building on the Island, with an 80 -100 year old wisteria plant that has grown over the house and tool shed to the right."

Lasqueti Island lies in the Georgia Strait, north of French Creek (on Vancouver Island), and southwest of Texada Island. It is approximately 8 km wide and 22 km long, with an area of 73.56 km2. About 425 permanent residents call Lasqueti home (2011 census). It is accessible by foot passenger ferry service only, or by private boat or plane.

NOSTALGIA Wines Inc

Formerly known as Oliver Twist   

Located in Oliver the winery provides a trip down memory lane.  Gina Harfman  is the owner and winemaker.

Chances are you will see an old classic car on site and lots of nostalgic memorabilia inside the wine shop. In fact, they even created a new wine series called "NOSTALGIA" based on this theme featuring fancy hot rods with cute pin up girls on the labels.