We are pleased to introduce you to Harper's Trail Estate Winery, the first winery to open in Kamloops with wines made from 100% Kamloops grown grapes.

The winery is owned by Ed and Vicki Collett . Their Thadd Springs Vineyard is located on Shuswap Road just NE of Kamloops BC

Thousands of years ago, when the South Thompson River ran a different course, the land that now holds the Thadd Springs Vineyard was the nomadic riverside home to 30 bands of Secwepemc (or Shuswap people) whose people camped along the river. Fast forward to what in contrast are more recent times, and the rolling hills that now proudly host vinifera vines were once echoing with the sound of hoofs and braying cattle. Renowned BC pioneer and rancher Thaddeus Harper used the grounds as a camp and staging area, as cattle were driven from the US to the Chilcotin to Harper's Gang Ranch.

Today, the 24-acre vineyard is a presentation for the Thompson Valley, demonstrating what is possible for wine growing in BC. With careful attention to the land, the Colletts are committed to showing the world that Kamloops can become known as a place in BC known for crafting fresh, fruit-driven, quality wines.

signature wines:  Pioneer Block Dry Riesling and Silver Mane Block Riesling

They produce a Late Harvest Riesling

Tasting Room Hours change with the season . There is a very nice patio suggestible for picnic lunches. They are pet friendly.

Philosophy:

Located just east of Kamloops, the Sidhu family has planted British Columbia’s largest acreage
of winter-hardy Minnesota hybrids . The Sidhus are immigrants from the Punjab in India who have succeeded in horticulture in Canada. In 2001, the Sidhus expanded to blueberries, becoming one of the largest producers in the Fraser Valley. Soaring land prices sent Gurjit, who has a diploma in horticulture, looking for cheaper farm land in the interior to plant more blueberries. In 2007 he bought Monte Creek Ranch, a historic property on the south side of the Thompson River and at the junction of Highway 97 and the Trans-Canada Highway.

Monte Creek Winery is situated on a 1,200-acre property, with 75 acres of grapes planted in the Thompson Valley, plus 40 planted acres in the Similkameen Valley. With a focus on sustainable and regenerative farming, the wines made at Monte Creek Winery are a celebration of the purpose and place.

 

The Monte Creek and Lion’s Head vineyards primarily grow five Minnesota hybrids plus Maréchal Foch, a French hybrid. If the winery chooses to release the wines under varietal names, look for reds called Frontenac and Marquette, a rosé variety called Frontenac Gris and whites called Frontenac Blanc and La Crescent.

It is not just a winery. It is a full-blown agricultural business. Monte Creek produces its own honey. It makes jam from a plot of haskap berries and beef jerky from it herd of grass-fed Black Angus. It also sells beef to one Kamloops butcher shop and to Thompson Rivers University. 

Monte Creek Winery (2021) is investing an eye-popping $10 million to add a gravity-flow winery to its facilities east of Kamloops. They will be spending $8 million on the new winery, including equipment, and $1.25 million on a new grape propagation greenhouse. Other infrastructure improvements bring the total spend to $10 million. The current winery, located beneath the Monte Creek wine shop and restaurant, will be retained, largely for white wine production. The new facility is designed primarily for the production of reds, notably Pinot Noir and Gamay, the winery’s signature varietals and the reason for adopting the gravity-flow design

Double Gold ACWC Monte Creek Ranch Winery, BC           2019       Ancient Waters Chardonnay       $24.95

 

 

Winemaker: Galan Barnhardt
Philosophy: Galen strives to make balanced and elegant wines that are representative of the unique South Thompson terroir

Located a half-hour drive north of Kamloops, it is one of the more northerly vineyards in British Columbia planted to vinifera (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). The winery is owned by John and Debbie Woodward

In 2010, they planted 1.2 hectares (three acres) of vines—Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and one row of Maréchal Foch. They will test other varieties as they challenge the condition of the north

Proprietor John Woodward began his career in the forest industry after graduating from UBC with a degree in science. Now a Registered Professional Forester, it wasn't until the late 1980's when John left the forest industry and began farming primarily in the landscape and Christmas tree industry for more than 25 years. John's seasoned attention to detail naturally progressed to viticulture practices and wine making.

Their first release was 2011 Chardonnay – October 2012 followed by 2010 Pinot Noir – August 2013. Production 800 cases

John's three sons own and operate Woodward Cider co at the same location.

VINIFICATION PRACTICES

Old world Burgundy Style of traditional winemaking techniques; All our wine is aged in 100% French Oak barriques for up to 18 months; Only 2% of the world's wine production is aged in this traditional method; Further aging in the bottle for up to one year

Winemaker: John Woodward
Consultant: Jacqueline Kemp
Philosophy: "Farming requires a lot of patience. Our trees needed 10-12 years to bring them to maturity. Accordingly, the transition to crafting a fine wine over a multi-year period has not been a hardship. I realize now that having cultivated this patience over several years has been instrumental in preparing me to employ the necessary ingredients to artfully create premium burgundy wines.”

Family owned and operated boutique winery operated by Shelley Thompson and Doug Wood.  The winery is the home of the very first commercial vineyard in the Kamloops area with the oldest commercial vines planted in 2005. The vineyards of Sagewood are nestled on the slopes of the scenic South Thompson River. Home to the regions oldest commercial vineyard, winemaker Doug Wood has been growing award winning grapes since 2005

We are committed to environmentally conscious practices in our vineyard and winery.  We take a whole vineyard/whole winery approach to sustainability. This includes vineyard landscaping, irrigation practices and labour practices.  Our low-impact viticultural practices includes drip-fed irrigation. 

Winemaker: