This Okanagan winery has 75% of its leadership team identifying as women
When you sip a glass of wine, many things come to mind such as aromas, texture and flavours, but it is rare to spend time considering the identity of team behind the production of that fermented juice. Winemaking is a laborious job and for many decades, and in some regions, for centuries it has been a male-dominated field.
In British Columbia, most wine professionals are men but since the 90s women have been a driving force for the industry. The first women in the industry in BC like Lynn Bremmer, Sandra Oldfield, and Christine Coletta, past executive director of the BC Wine Institute and owner of Okanagan Crush Pad today, have blazed the trails for many ladies after them.
The McWatters sisters are two of those who have been involved in the industry from an early age. Daughters of the late grandfather of BC wine, Harry McWatters, they have seen these female trailblazers change the game for British Columbia wines while learning what was necessary to carry on their family legacy. Now as they step out of their father’s shadow, Christa-Lee and Darrien McWatters are leading a 75% female team to success at TIME Winery in downtown Penticton.
The staff at TIME Family of Wines is composed of experienced wine professionals with many years of projects including hospitality manager Kimberly Hundermark, guest service manager Kerry-Anne Sexton, events manager Chelsea Dumayne, and talented winemaker Lynzee Schatz. These ladies manage the only urban winemaking facility in the Okanagan Valley, a restaurant, tasting room and provide outstanding hospitality, award-winning wines, and unique visitor experiences to wine lovers.
The tenacity, experience and competence of the female leaders at TIME shows what modern winemaking is like in BC while also demonstrating how much the industry can grow when more women are involved in the process. If you are in the Okanagan, stop by the tasting room to enjoy the top-notch hospitality at TIME or grab a bottle of TIME Wines, Evolve Cellars, or McWatters Collection wines where fine wines are sold and raise a glass to the women of BC wine this Women’s Day.
Starting at the top of the stairs:
Kerri-Anne Sexton – Retail and Guest Services Manager
Christa-Lee McWatters - General Manager
Lynzee Schatz – Winemaker
Becky Marte - Controller
Alla Gray – Accountant
Darrien McWatters – Operations Manager
Kimberly Hundertmark – Hospitality Manager
Angelle Sigston – Hospitality Supervisor
Chelsea Dumayne – Event Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator
Brittney Vieira – Hospitality Supervisor
Credit: Chris Stemberg Photo