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Preview the Unique Flavours of Summerland

Preview the Unique Flavours of Summerland

The scenic and friendly town of Summerland is thrilled to announce a spring preview for its esteemed Bottleneck Drive Association members, comprising the finest wineries, cideries, brewery, and distilleries in the region. This year, visitors are invited to embark on a journey of discovery, indulging in the unique flavours and experiences offered by these local producers.

Exclusive New Wine Tasting Option at Fraser Valley Winery

Singletree Winery is the first in the Valley to offer wine tastings inside domes

[Abbotsford, BC] Singletree Winery presents an exclusive new tasting experience for wine lovers in the Fraser Valley: Di Vine Domes. By current Public Health regulations, and as it changes the winery will adapt, small groups from the same household (up to 6 people) or single persons with a max bubble of two, are invited to taste wine and enjoy local goodies inside decorated transparent domes.

Singletree Winery's Di Vine Dome. Photo credit: Megan Ashley Creative

Singletree Winery's Di Vine Dome. Photo credit: Megan Ashley Creative

The domes at Singletree Winery are placed by the vines and offer a cozy atmosphere that is COVID-safe and great for families or couples wishing to enjoy a special date.

The winery team offers two domes with distinct themed décor: The Canadian Cabin with traditional porch chairs, faux fur rugs and a rustic feel, and the Enchanted Forest, with a chandelier, live edge table and cozy seats. Both domes are heated and complemented with winter decorations and lights.

There is a minimum spend of $50 per person to experience the domes, and bookings are 1.5 hours to enjoy one of three tasting experiences. View these choices here.

To reserve, book on the website. Tastings inside the Di Vine Domes at Singletree Winery are available from Wednesday to Sunday, 12-5:30pm. Extended dome hours are available on Friday and Saturday when you purchase a gourmet meal option; with one sitting per night from 6-8pm.

Wine lovers get to enjoy award-winning wine flights by Singletree and can choose between food options, like locally-sourced charcuterie and cheese boards and gourmet three-course meals, prepared by chef Adrian Beatty.

Visit the Singletree Di Vine Domes page to view each option and book accordingly.

 The domes are thoroughly sanitized between bookings. To learn more about this and to help answer all of your Di Vine Dome questions (including Singletree's COVID-19 policies), please go to this link and review the Frequently Asked Questions.

 About Singletree Winery

Singletree Winery Fraser Valley is in Abbotsford and Singletree Naramata is in the Okanagan. The Etsell family has deep roots in the agricultural community, and named their wineries Singletree, after the single-harness yoke which was an essential tool for pioneering farmers from all over the province.

With careful attention to their land, the Etsell family owners of Singletree, are committed to showcasing the best of British Columbia: the Fraser Valley, which provides a lineup of aromatic, crisp, and juicy wines that highlight this unique terroir; and Naramata Bench in the Okanagan, where the glacial soils and warm climate produce luscious red wines.

From growing grapes in their estate vineyards, taking the finished bottle to the shelf and to the very last sip of wine from the glass, Singletree’s active involvement, dedication, and passion for the land creates only the highest quality, award-winning and most flavourful and nuanced wine.

 To learn more about Singletree, visit singletreewinery.com.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery’s Corporate Vision Revealed

New Vision Statement Guides the Winery Team and invites the World In

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[Kelowna, BC] The team at Summerhill Pyramid Winery announces its new brand vision.

READ THE NEW BRAND VISION ONLINE

To arrive at this new vision, the winery management team and the family members took a deep look at their purpose, and along the journey the winery achieved certified B Corp status earlier in 2019, the first Canadian winery to do so.

The team arrived at seven guiding principles to inform the way they make wine, their business practices, and the way they interact with the world. The winery is rolling out a new logo and later a new package, but the way forward is also about how they present themselves as a whole.

Ezra Cipes took over as CEO of Summerhill Pyramid Winery in 2012, and over the past seven years he has worked hard with his family to corral and determine the way forward for the pioneering BC winery. His father, and Summerhill founder Stephen Cipes, revolutionized organic wine production in BC, as one of the first BC wineries, and is being recognized for his leadership at the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame in October.

Today, the team shares their newly written vison document, inviting their team, customers, and community to embrace it, and live out the practices and values that has always made Summerhill special and loved.

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Ezra Cipes, CEO shares the following public statement:

“Summerhill has always been a purpose-based organization founded on and driven by spiritual precepts. The purpose has always been to live as one with nature, to bring forth beautiful products of nature, and to foster community, connection, meaning, and a worldview of oneness and wholeness.

This vision has been held by my dad, Summerhill’s founder and proprietor Stephen Cipes, since he moved my family to beautiful British Columbia in 1986. It has made Summerhill a singular winery and has been responsible for the incredible success we have enjoyed.

This vision has always been implicit, but never quite stated so boldly. Now we are introducing a newly written Vision of Gratitude and Abundance for People and Planet so that we can fully invest ourselves in what has always made Summerhill so unique and special.

The intent of this vision statement is not only to guide us as a company, but also to share our values publicly, so that we are transparent about our values, can be held accountable to them, and can invite everyone to see the world as we see it and to join us in this vision of gratitude and abundance for people and planet.

Along with the new vision is a new logo, which communicates reverence for the soil and for the sacred order of creation as symbolized by the pyramid.

There will be more changes coming soon that stem from this newly articulated vision. Stay tuned!”

---- Ezra Cipes, CEO, Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Suggested Social Caption

@SummerhillWine took a deep dive into their business purpose and is inviting the world to learn more about their seven guiding principles. Read more https://bit.ly/2poajnS

Photos here: Dropbox

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Summerhill Pyramid Winery's seven guiding principles: Gratitude, People, Planet, Pioneership,Abundance, Passion and Love

Summerhill Pyramid Winery's seven guiding principles: Gratitude, People, Planet, Pioneership,

Abundance, Passion and Love

About Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Kelowna’s Summerhill Pyramid Winery welcomes thousands of visitors onto its farm from all over the world. The founding vision to bottle among the very finest wines in the world has been achieved, with trophies from the highest levels of competition in France, England, and around the world to show for it. But the greatest legacy is the change that the team strives to nourish daily. The winery’s greatest goal is an ongoing one of service to humanity, engendering a culture of gratitude for people and planet with every heavenly sip of its organic wine. Learn more at summerhill.bc.ca

Farm Friends: BC Wineries respond to Alberta's BC Wine Boycott with Love

Wineries to host public "Farm Friends" event with BC wine and Alberta beef

And call for supporters to make March 2018 BC Wine Month

Feb 8, 2018 [Summerland, BC] Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced an immediate boycott on all imports of wines from British Columbia Tuesday, in what is becoming a growing inter-provincial spat over the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline.

Instead of reacting with hate and opposition, a group of BC wineries has decided to remind everyone that they love Alberta.

Christine Coletta, owner of Okanagan Crush Pad, makers of Haywire wine, is calling for people to support their local wine industry during the month of March, while continuing to purchase Alberta products. 

The idea kicks off with a walk around food and wine evening featuring BC wine and Alberta food at Edible Canada on Thursday, February 22nd. Tickets, $55 are available here, and are expected to sell quickly. All proceeds will be donated to the BC Hospitality Foundation.

Participating wineries include 50th Parallel Estate WineryCulmina Family Estate WineryHaywireLiquidityPainted Rock Estate WineryPoplar Grove Winery and Summerhill Pyramid Winery; as well as Mireille Sauvé with the Dames Wineproject. Winery principals will be on hand to showcase their wines and talk to guests and celebrate the gains that the industry has made over the past two decades.

Their wines will be showcased along with Alberta foods such as beef and bison, and made by Edible Canada and guest chefs. 

For the past decade, farmers, wineries and food producers have worked hard to create an identity for Canadian cuisine across the country and take that message to the international world whenever possible to promote culinary tourism. 

"We want everyone to see that we are better together," says Coletta. "We do not want to do anything that could potentially hurt farmers or small family businesses, no matter where they live. "Working side by side to find solutions is ideal over political grand standing," she continues. "There are so many links and synergies between the two provinces that we need to remember and embrace."

Edible Canada is located on Granville Island in the heart of a thriving public market. The restaurant exclusively serves Canadian cuisine using local products and offers a gourmet artisan retail store. Owner Eric Pateman has been a tireless champion of Canada's culinary community and is proud to be able to host the event. 

 

SHARING IS CARING

Here's the Farm Friends tool kit you need to spread the word.

 

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Summerland Winery Okanagan Crush Pad Heads to Europe for Prowein

We've got some big news for one of our BC wine clients! Summerland's Okanagan Crush Pad will be making its first foray into the European market, debuting at ProWein Dusseldorf March 13 to 15.

OCP-Switchback-Vineyard-Building-Sunset-Credit-Lionel-TrudelEstablished in 2011, Okanagan Crush Pad's reputation has grown quickly in regard to their efforts in organic growing and natural wine making. Owner Christine Coletta credits international consultants Italian winemaker Alberto Antonini and Chilean soil expert Pedro Parra for the winery's vision. While Antonini has been working with the winery since 2010, Parra joined the winery team in 2012 in order to choose and design a new vineyard site, Garnet Valley Ranch. Its first harvest will be this year.

OKCrushPadsept2015-107“We are all on the same page with respect to the direction we are traveling. The real heavy lifting falls to our viticulture and winemaking teams who have followed the road map drawn by Antonini and Parra perfectly,” notes Coletta.

OCP-Concrete tanks Credit Lionel Trudel

The winery is capable of 35,000 cases annually and initially developed as the first purpose-built custom crush winery in Canada. While Okanagan Crush Pad crafts their portfolio wines Haywire and Narrative exclusively in concrete tanks, they also choose to focus on small lots of premium wines.
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The winery team aims to craft wines that showcase the natural beauty of the Okanagan Valley and so additives such as yeast and nutrients are not used, except in their bubbles.  “We want the wine community to discover what excites us about our growing region, and we feel Prowein is an excellent place to start,” said Coletta.
 
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Representing the winery at Prowein will be owner Christine Coletta, her daughter Alison Scholefield, winery business partner David Scholefield, and brand ambassador Michael West. The natural wines from Haywire will be showcased, made from grapes grown on Switchback Organic Vineyard, as well as their Ancient Method sparkling wine from the Narrative roster.

NOTE to those headed to Prowein: go see Haywire with all the Canadian wineries, who will be located in Hall 9/D48.

Take a photo of yourself with the winery principals or the wines and send it to us on social media @townhallbrands. Tag it #gohaywire #prowein - we can't wait for you to meet our amazing clients!

 

 

Meet Jackie Gidda #withTownHall

By Leeann Froese It’s a new week to introduce you to one of the fabulous personalities in the world #withTownHall!

This does not mean they work as part of our team, or are our client (although sometimes they are).

We just interact with so many amazing people that we want to expand networks and introduce them to you, and you to them. This week #withTownHall, we introduce you to Jackie Gidda.

Jackie Gidda Mt Boucherie Winery

Jackie was born into the BC wine industry as her family has been growing grapes since the early 1970s and is one of the pioneering families of the Okanagan. The Gidda family opened Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery in 2001 and have been a friendly fixture in West Kelowna ever since.

At Mt. Boucherie Jackie contributes in the tasting room as well as helps represent the winery at events. She does not do this full time, as she is an accountant and mom of two as well, and that keeps her plate very full!

Jackie's sparkling personality and friendly approach make her a joy to be around whenever you encounter her at a tasting, and with all of that said about Jackie, will you please help us give a big hello to her?

Leave a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter

Colour BC and ChefMeetsBCGrape To Showcase Mt. Boucherie Winery

On September 16th, the British Columbia Wine Institute will host Colour BC VQA Fall Release Tasting and ChefMeetsBCGrape at Canada Place to showcase VQA wines of British Columbia. To learn more about these two events, please visit our earlier post here. On each day leading up to the events, we introduce you to wineries in attendance with unique stories and flavours that you will not want to miss. Today, we would like to introduce...

Mt. Boucherie Winery, Kelowna BC

The cute and welcoming Mt. Boucherie Winery in West Kelowna, BC - Lionel Trudel photo

  • Enjoy award winning VQA wines produced with 100% percent family-owned grapes from one of the oldest vineyards in the Okanagan.
  • Explore the dynamic and diverse list of varietals that Mt. Boucherie boasts.
  • Gain insight into the viticulture techniques and tips employed to maintain this historic family-owned vineyard

Led by winemaker Jim Faulkner, this winery offers a diverse portfolio of well-loved reds, whites, and desert wines which allows wine lovers to select a bottle of Mt. Boucherie for any occasion. Incredibly food friendly, the variety of Mt. Boucherie wines available ensures there's a bottle to match any palate, plate and mood.

Their history and passion for wine is yours to enjoy. Your way.

To Learn More:

www.mtboucheriewinery.com | Twitter: @mtboucheriewine

What you will taste:

  • Pinot Gris 2014 $11.95 –Crisp, bright and refreshing on the palate.
  • Semillon 2011 $11.57 – You’ll love this wine for how fresh and crisp it is on the palate, with lemony aromas and citrusy flavours combined with granny smith apple.
  • Summit Reserve 2012 $21.52 – Aromas of cassis, red currant, raspberry and a hint of coffee. On the palate this full-bodied red offers firm tannins with a rounded and smooth finish.
  • Pinot Noir 2012 $16.22 – A lighter red, slightly smoky with aromas of raspberry jam, vanilla bean and candied apple. On the palate strawberry coulis and fresh cherries.

Who you will meet:

Jim Faulkner, winemaker, Mario Rodi, sales manager, will be on hand to answer any questions that you might have.

Colour BC and ChefMeetsBCGrape To Showcase Evolve Cellars

On September 16th, the British Columbia Wine Institute will host Colour BC VQA Fall Release Tasting and ChefMeetsBCGrape at Canada Place to showcase VQA wines of British Columbia. To learn more about these two events, please visit our earlier post here. On each day leading up to the events, we will to introduce you to wineries in attendance with unique stories and flavours that you will not want to miss. Today, we would like to introduce...

Evolve Cellars, Summerland BC

Evolve Cellars

  • Learn about industry pioneer Harry McWatters’ new lifestyle brand winery which focuses on producing fresh, fruit-forward, crisp, approachable, and well-balanced wines.
  • Try the fresh, clean, and crisp award winning 2014 Pinot Blanc.
  • Use the hashtag #RaiseAGlassTo to share your experience tasting Evolve Cellars' wine selection during the event.

Evolve Cellars was born from the concept of the celebration of self, your successes and growth in life. This winery, and winemaker Lawrence Buhler, know that the Okanagan Valley has evolved to produce some of the best wines on the planet and intends to gently transform the fruit that mother nature creates in this beautiful region to create wines that are fresh, fruit-forward, crisp, approachable, and well-balanced.

See what makes this winery, with its beautiful design and breathtaking vineyard overlooking the Okanagan Lake, the perfect place to raise a glass to friends and family and mostly importantly, yourself.

To Learn More:

www.evolvecellars.com | Twitter: @evolvecellars | Instagram: @evolvecellars

What you will taste:

  • Pinot Blanc 2014 $14.99 -Granny Smith apple, white peach, and pear - fresh from the orchard. Mingling melon and tropical fruit flavours that linger with minerals and grapefruit.
  • Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $15.99 -Tropical fruits with lime and nectarine. Bright, lively citrus and summer fruit flavours of melon, nectarine, and pear.
  • Pinot Noir 2014 $19.99 -Easy drinking, fruit-forward with pleasing aromas of cherry. This dry, harmonic blend of black cherry and a touch of vanilla leaves a lingering, soft finish.
  • Cabernet Merlot 2013 $18.99 - Pretty and seductive, with a spicy nose of black cherry and cassis. Soft and complex, with mouth-filling flavours of plum, cherry, and wild red berry from start to finish.

Who you will meet:

Lawrence Buhler, director of winemaking, and Christa-Lee McWatters Bond, director of sales and marketing, will be available to answer any questions you might have.