Little Farms

2155 Newton Road, Cawston, BC. V0X 1C1. Canada

Located in the beautiful Similkameen Valley of southern British Columbia. A short drive from Oliver and Osoyoos of the Okanagan. Little Farm Winery is the small hands-on operation of Rhys Pender MW and Alishan Driediger. It started with a passion for wine and developed into growing and producing Chardonnay and Riesling from their Mulberry Tree Vineyard at their home in Cawston.

The 4 acre vineyard was planted between 2009-2011. The philosophy of Little Farm Winery is not about winemaking but rather wine growing. It is about sustainable grape growing and low intervention in the cellar allowing the flavours of the vineyard to show through in the wine. We use gentle pressing, old barrels, time on the lees and minimal manipulation. Yeast and sulfur are used but no enzymes, nutrients or other adjustments. The grapes are picked when they have intense and complex flavour, moderate potential alcohol and while they still retain the crisp acidity that keeps the wines fresh and lively.

It all started a few years back when Alishan and Rhys had to decide whether to pursue a “real job” or jump in the deep end and scratch out a living following their passion for food and wine. Hard work numerous training programs and some interesting business adventures came before the winery. This included operating a catering company and the creation of Okanagan Grocery Artisan Breads in Kelowna before purchasing a five acre property in Cawston in the stunning Similkameen Valley.

Rhys has worked in the wine industry since he was a teenager. Today he is a Master of Wine, he teaches, writes and grows the grapes. Rhys becoming Canada’s youngest Master of Wine (the wine world’s highest level of achievement) in 2010, one of only 300 in the world.

Alishan interest in food and wine led her to earn a Professional Culinary Diploma and study in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at UBC as well as earning a certificate in winemaking from Guelph University. Now growing grapes and making wine for Little Farm Winery Alishan is furthering her winemaking education by taking the University of California – Davis’ winemaking program. She also recently completed the Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust

Little Farm Winery will never be big and will always focus on making small batches of single-vineyard wine that reflect each site’s unique characteristics. The goal is to make interesting, characterful, natural-ish wines and look after our little farm. A goal that has been achieved as far as the quality of the wines. Their focus is on Riesling and Chardonnay.

Their passion and desire is shown in the quality of their wines..

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