Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, established in the quaint town of Summerland, BC was founded by Harry McWatters, a leader in the Canadian wine industry. Sumac Ridge is dedicated to producing premium wines that celebrate the essence of the Okanagan Valley.
Winemaker, Mark Wendenburg, one of the Okanagan’s most awarded winemakers, has led the winemaking team at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery since 1992. Mark is dedicated to producing quality vinifera wines and outstanding premium blends.
The McWatters family and their team have created one of the most renowned winery experiences in Canada and, over the years, have been recognized for their passion, innovation and commitment to quality. The winery produces a wide range of products with signature wines including Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage and sparkling. The wines are created with food in mind, and to fit all occasions and celebrations.
Visiting the Winery
At Sumac Ridge we offer the following unique tasting opportunities:
The Wine Boutique
Enjoy a complimentary tasting of our Cellar Selection and Private Reserve series wines or for a nominal fee, sample our premium Black Sage Vineyard wines and specialty wines.
Our wine tastings are available daily in our wineshop boutique 9am - 6pm June through October, 9am - 5pm November through May.
Our Wine Boutique offers a selection of local artisan made wine related products, multiple offerings for the aspiring wine and food connoisseur, as well as many unique gift ideas.
Tour and Tasting
Take a tour of the winery and taste our award-winning Steller’s Jay Brut in our sparkling wine cave, and sample our featured reserve wines from the famed Black Sage Vineyard.
Tours are offered from May to October daily at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and November through April by reservation.
Daily Public Tours and Tastings are $5.00 per person and include a $5.00 voucher towards wine purchases.
Private Winery Tours and Tastings (10 persons or more) are $10.00 per person and include a $5.00 voucher. Reservations are recommended.
The Founder’s Tasting Room
Our Founders tasting offers a unique opportunity for our guests to enjoy a private tutored tasting of our premium wines over looking our Sumac Ridge Vineyard. Your tasting will be hosted by one of our knowledgeable staff and features the art of pairing specific grape varieties with hand-crafted Riedel stemware.
July 1 to August 31
reservations are recommended, but not essential.
Daily Founder’s Tastings held at 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:00PM.
September 1 to October 31
reservations are recommended, but not essential.
Daily Founder’s Tastings held at 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM
Founder’s Tastings with Food Pairing Component at 12:30 PM
November 1 to June 30
available by request and based on availability. Reservations required. Please call 250.494.0451 to reserve.
$15.00 per person to join the Public Founder’s Tasting
$20.00 per person to enjoy a Private Founder’s Tasting
$30.00 per person for Founder’s Tasting enhanced by food pairing component prepared specially by the Chef and his Culinary team.
Cellar Door Bistro
Sumac Ridge is also home to the famed Cellar Door Bistro, the winery’s on-site restaurant known for its regional cuisine that marries beautifully with all of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery’s VQA wines as well as an array of award winning British Columbia VQA Wines. Diners will be delighted with the innovative menu of Chef Roger Planiden, which includes seasonally inspired and locally sourced ingredients.
Whether on our sun drenched Patio overlooking Lake Okanagan or in the comfort of our warm Bistro by the fire: enjoy our wine and food pairings throughout the year. Closed December 22nd to January 15th for the holidays.
Thornhaven Estates invites you to visit our intimate, charming winery. Elevated on the slopes of Little Giant’s Head Mountain, a rocky, pine-covered crest, Thornhaven is fronted by its flourishing vineyards and cloaked in its quiet surroundings. The spectacular views from our courtyard patio overlook the picturesque landscape of Summerland’s orchard-laden valley floor and distant rolling mountains. To the east lie striking panoramas of sparkling Okanagan Lake, the bordering forested hills, and the fertile emerald benchlands of neighbouring communities.
Inspired by our breathtaking settings and our love of the grape, we craft wines that are appreciated by novices and connoisseurs alike. Our approach to winemaking, careful and passionate, exposes the natural qualities and intricate characteristics of the fruit, which produces our elegant vintages.
Come visit the quiet heart of the Okanagan valley, experience the distinctive qualities of our wines and enjoy the splendor of our surroundings. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
If you would like to place an order for our wines or have any questions about Thornhaven Estates Winery, please contact us. We welcome all of your comments and suggestions.
Proprietors- Jack and Jan Fraser
Cellar Master- Jason Fraser
Wine Shop Host- Danny Evanishen
6816 Andrew Avenue
Summerland. BC V0H 1Z7
ph: (250) 494-7778
fax: (250) 494-1617
Lang Vineyards opened their doors in 1990 and has grown from it’s humble beginnings into one of the Okanagan’s foremost boutique wineries. Guenther Lang and his wife Christina purchased the vineyard when they immigrated to Canada in 1980. Geunther selected the property high up on the bench for it’s excellent soil conditions and microclimate. Additional properties along the bench have added to the overall acreage available to the winery.
During the 1980s, most of the hybrid varieties were pulled out and replaced with vinifera varieties such as Auxerrois, Gewutztaminer, Reisling and most recently Viognier. Red varieties such as Pinot Noir, Merlot and Pinot Meunier. The only hybrid variety remaining is the Marechal Foch which remains one of Lang’s most poular wines.
In 2007 Lang Vineyards was purchased by Holman Lang Wineries and continues to produce some of the most sought after wines in Canada.
Nk’Mip Cellars 1400 Rancher Creek Road Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0 Web Site
Phone: 250-495-2985 Fax: 250-495-2986 Email: info@nkmipcellars.com
Nk’Mip Cellars (Pronounced in-ka-meep) is North America’s first Aboriginal owned and operated winery…and it has some of the most spectacular views in the Okanagan.
The winery site is one of the most attractive in the South Okanagan with outstanding views in a setting of natural beauty. Situated on a bench overlooking the shores of Osoyoos Lake, the site is adjacent to a tract of natural desert land while the newly planted vineyards and orchards provide a stunning contrast.
The Band shares its history and traditions with those who visit the winery. Tour experiences at the winery are enhanced through the architecture, designed and constructed to display native art and artifacts, and enhance the beauty and unique nature of the wild sage desert surroundings. From the early years of ranching, trading and small farms, the people of the Osoyoos Indian Band have continued to change with the times. The Band has a long history of growing grapes and owns 230 acres at the Inkameep Vineyard that were first planted in 1968. Under the expertise of trained viticulturalist Sam Baptise, new varieties are being planted each year to meet current market demands.
Currently, Inkameep Vineyard is micro-managing 40 acres of this vineyard for Nk’Mip Cellars’ wine production. Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are all sourced from Inkameep Vineyard. In addition to the original site, huge vineyards have since been planted and now sprawl across the Band’s 32,000 acres. These are operated under long-term leases with several wineries. In total 1,155 acres of vines are planted on the Band’s land, with plans for an additional 100 to 200 acres within the next year. 25 percent of the total acreage planted in the Okanagan Valley is on the Band’s land.
Visiting NkMip Cellars Winery Hours
Jan 1 – Jun 30 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Jul 1 – Aug 31 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sep 1 – Dec 31 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The winery is open 7 days a week and only closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
The Terrace at Nk’Mip
Jan 1 – Apr 30 Closed
May 1 – Sept 30 11:00 am – 4:00 pm for Lunch
Oct 8 – Dec 31 Closed
From the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, the Heiss family welcomes you to their Estate Winery. GRAY MONK was established in 1972 by George and Trudy Heiss. Today, they have over fifty acres of lush vineyards overlooking Lake Okanagan, which produce some of the world’s finest wines. Along with award-winning VQA wine, Gray Monk Estate Winery features a wine and gift shop, restaurant, tours and spectacular views of the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Visit http://www.graymonk.com for more information.
Established in 1932, Calona Vineyards has the distinction of being BC’s original winery. The Okanagan Valley offers prime growing conditions, especially for Calona’s vineyards in the Southern Valley of BC where the hot, sunny climate produces the finest grapes. Approximately 1500 tonnes of BC grapes are crushed every year to produce many superb selections of VQA varietals offered by Calona.
As a pioneer in the BC wine industry, Calona leads the way to higher levels of craftsmanship and professionalism. Today, Calona’s wines are award-winning , rivaling the world’s most established names to prove the Okanagan Valley is at the international forefront of fine VQA wine production.
With new and superior equipment, a dedication to both quality and value, a masterful balance of old-world techniques and visionary winemaking , Calona Vineyards continues to supply the world market and produce the finest award-winning VQA wines from this Okanagan Valley winery.
THE WINE
As one of Canada’s foremost family owned and operated estate wine producers, Quails’ Gate is internationally recognized as a top quality producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Quails’ Gate wines are premium and terroir focused. The entire portfolio of Quails’ Gate wines is consistently endorsed by wine experts as one of Canada’s most outstanding.
THE DESTINATION
Not only is Quails’ Gate one of Canada’s foremost wine country destinations, it is also internationally and nationally recognized as a premier agri-tourism destination. Having been provided with a friendly, sophisticated and educational wine and culinary experience, visitors return again and again. The Quails’ Gate onsite experience is most relaxing and welcoming. Onsite hospitality staff are among the most professional, friendly and knowledgeable in matters of wine and food in the country.
THE SITE
The facility and grounds of our vineyards reflect the premium quality of Quails’ Gate wines. The care and attention to detail given to the vineyard and winery landscape echo the attention to detail given to all other areas of the company. Quails’ Gate continues to be a leader in advanced viticulture practices, placing the Stewart family’s vineyards among the most prized grape growing sites for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other focused varietals in North America.
THE PEOPLE
Members of the Quails’ Gate team are well respected and viewed as some of the most talented in the wine and hospitality industry, making their mark as innovative and knowledgeable leaders. By having been provided many opportunities for development, our staff strive for personal achievement and development. The Stewart family ensures that the best skills in the business are recruited, developed and retained. Winery staff feel that they work for the best winery in the country.
Visit their web site at THE WINE
As one of Canada’s foremost family owned and operated estate wine producers, Quails’ Gate is internationally recognized as a top quality producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Quails’ Gate wines are premium and terroir focused. The entire portfolio of Quails’ Gate wines is consistently endorsed by wine experts as one of Canada’s most outstanding.
THE DESTINATION
Not only is Quails’ Gate one of Canada’s foremost wine country destinations, it is also internationally and nationally recognized as a premier agri-tourism destination. Having been provided with a friendly, sophisticated and educational wine and culinary experience, visitors return again and again. The Quails’ Gate onsite experience is most relaxing and welcoming. Onsite hospitality staff are among the most professional, friendly and knowledgeable in matters of wine and food in the country.
THE SITE
The facility and grounds of our vineyards reflect the premium quality of Quails’ Gate wines. The care and attention to detail given to the vineyard and winery landscape echo the attention to detail given to all other areas of the company. Quails’ Gate continues to be a leader in advanced viticulture practices, placing the Stewart family’s vineyards among the most prized grape growing sites for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other focused varietals in North America.
THE PEOPLE
Members of the Quails’ Gate team are well respected and viewed as some of the most talented in the wine and hospitality industry, making their mark as innovative and knowledgeable leaders. By having been provided many opportunities for development, our staff strive for personal achievement and development. The Stewart family ensures that the best skills in the business are recruited, developed and retained. Winery staff feel that they work for the best winery in the country.
Visit their web site at http://www.quailsgate.com/
1730 Mission Hill Road, Kelowna, BC V4T 2E4. Phone: 250-768-7611; Fax: 250-768-2044. Web Site
Welcome to Mission Hill Family Estate, situated in the heart of British Columbia’s breathtaking Okanagan Valley wine country, one of the Pacific Northwest’s undiscovered gems.
Making great wines and providing a special place where people can enjoy them has been my dream and my life’s work. Now, it’s a reality, one that my family and I want to share with everyone who visits us high atop Mission Hill.
We hope you’ll think of our winery as a refuge from the hurried pace of daily life. We invite you to experience the nature and art of winemaking by walking our lush on-site vineyards and visiting our underground cellars. Sample fine wines by the glass, marvel at the vista and reflect on a process that’s almost as old as time itself.
Our Guest Experience section provides detailed information about our tours and wine programs. We look forward to your visit.
5445 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 7R3. Phone: 250-764-8866; Toll-free: 1-800-730-9463; Fax: 250-764-2603. Web site
CedarCreek Estate Winery was recently named Winery of the Year for the second time at the fifth annual Canadian Wine Awards sponsored by Wine Access Magazine. The repeat recognition was not only an honour but also a reflection of the discipline of the three principles underpinning the winery’s philosophy. The Fitzpatrick family, who founded CedarCreek in 1986, has committed the winery to respecting the land in its viticulture practices; to honouring the rich agricultural tradition of their family rooted in the Okanagan; and to pursuing perfection in the bottle.
The Fitzpatricks, a family of Irish heritage, have lived in the Okanagan Valley since 1913. Senator Ross Fitzpatrick, whose father managed an Oliver fruit packing house, grew up amid orchards. A successful career in business and politics took Senator Fitzpatrick away from the Okanagan but he returned in 1986 to acquire a small winery and apple orchard near Kelowna. As a new Proprietor he found grapes more compelling than apples and soon converted the orchard to vineyard. This was the beginning of developing the highly successful winery that CedarCreek is today.
There are many milestones in CedarCreek’s 18 vintage journey from its modest beginnings to its national acclaim today. The winery now produces over 30,000 cases of premium wines each year and is considered one the elite producers in Canada.
In 1991, eight hectares of apple orchard were replaced with quality European grape varieties, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The CedarCreek vineyard, which slopes steeply toward Okanagan Lake 12 km southwest of Kelowna, is in the historic Mission district where commercial viticulture began in the late 1920s. It is a proven site for making wines that are crisp with natural acidity and vivid fruit flavours which pair wonderfully with a wide variety of cuisine.
In the 1992 vintage, CedarCreek produced a Merlot of such promise that the Okanagan Wine Festival created an unprecedented platinum award for it. That inspired the winery’s premium program, begun with the 1998 vintage, to label its best wines as Platinum Reserve.
Greata Ranch, the second vineyard is located between Peachland and Summerland. This historic orchard was settled in 1896 and was purchased by Senator Fitzpatrick in 1994 based on his boyhood memories of tasting sweet peaches from the property. CedarCreek restored its former agricultural splendour by planting 40 acres of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
In 1996 Gordon Fitzpatrick was appointed President and set out to focus CedarCreek on premium wines. The family commitment to quality culminated in 2002 when CedarCreek was recognized as Canada’s Winery of the Year by Wine Access Magazine.
In 1998 Gordon Fitzpatrick recruited California-trained winemaker Kevin Willenborg, a 14-year veteran of the Louis Martini winery who had a passion for Pinot Noir. CedarCreek also retained Eric Neil an experienced vineyard consultant from Sonoma County California. Regarding his recruitment efforts, Gordon Fitzpatrick says “I knew that if we wanted to be the best, we had to surround ourselves with the best.”
Willenborg returned to California in 2000. His successor at CedarCreek is Tom DiBello, a graduate of the prestigious wine school operated by University of California at Davis. Mr. DiBello’s prior experiences includes winemaking at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa, California, Cape Mentelle in Margaret River, Australia and several other wineries in California, Arizona and Washington State. Tom DiBello made an immediate impact by crafting wines that garnered five awards at the inaugural Canadian Wine Awards in 2001, and 10 awards in 2002.
In 2001 CedarCreek acquired its Desert Ridge vineyard property near Osoyoos. A much hotter site than the Kelowna and Peachland vineyards, Desert Ridge is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. These varieties will allow CedarCreek to further enhance its Bordeaux red wines such as Merlot, Meritage and Cabernet Sauvignon.
In 2002, the winery was completely rebuilt and re-equipped. The exterior’s elegant design recalls the attractive white villas of the Mediterranean. The spacious new interior uses gravity wherever possible, not pumps, to move wine. All wines benefit from the gentle handling, none more so than CedarCreek’s signature Pinot Noir.
In 2002 CedarCreek received unprecedented recognition for a BC wines at the Los Angeles County Fair, the largest and oldest wine competition in the United States. Only six gold medals were awarded in the Chardonnay class; CedarCreek won two of them. The winery also won a gold medal for its Greata Ranch Pinot Blanc 2000, confirming Senator Fitzpatrick’s confidence in Greata Ranch as a vineyard.
In 2002 CedarCreek was recognized as Canada’s Winery of the Year by Wine Access Magazine
On October 15, 2005 at a blind tasting held in Ottawa, CedarCreek garnered first place with its 2002 Platinum Reserve Meritage. The tasting, Canada vs. Bordeaux was organized by the Vendange Institute in Ottawa and modeled after the famed 1976 Judgement of Paris, when an English wine merchant in Paris organized a blind tasting of French and Californian wines in celebration of the U.S. bicentennial. In the 100-point system, CedarCreek’s 2002 Platinum Reserve Meritage scored a top mark of 89.32.
On October 28, 2005 CedarCreek was named Winery of Year for the second time at the fifth annual Canadian Wine Awards sponsored by Wine Access Magazine. CedarCreek won medals across an array of wine styles, with three golds, two silvers and three bronze medals. And, its remaining three entries each missed bronze by less than a point. Gold Medals were awarded to the 2002 Platinum Reserve Merlot, 2002 Platinum Reserve Meritage and 2004 Dry Riesling.
Today, CedarCreek is a destination winery that draws thousands of visitors each summer. CedarCreek excels in providing the most intimate of wine-country experiences. Its hospitality ranges from tours and tastings, fine dining to musical entertainment. The Vineyard Terrace is a seasonal restaurant (open mid June to mid September) with an elegantly casual ambiance and postcard view of the vineyards. Its annual Sunset Concert series features artists from around the world providing guests with magical evenings of wine, food and music while the sun rests gently on Okanagan Lake.
The addition of The Pavilion - a Mediterranean oasis set amidst CedarCreek’s stunning rose garden and vineyard, provides an open-air yet sheltered venue for vineyard dinners, receptions and an array of special events.
CedarCreek offers wines in three distinct ranges. The introductory tier is CedarCreek’s Classic Series of wines, all of which have a strong following. The first wines to be sold out are often CedarCreek’s Classic Ehrenfelser and Dry Riesling. Other wines in the series are Gewurtraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet-Merlot, Merlot and our modestly priced Proprietor’s White and Red.
The Estate Select Series are reserve quality wines which include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris as well as new releases for the Fall of 2005: Estate Select Merlot, Meritage and Syrah.
The most exceptional wines of a vintage are released as Platinum Reserve, handcrafted in limited quantity and hotly sought after among collectors. The releases may include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Meritage and Cabernet-Sauvignon. These wines are made from lower-yielding blocks of vineyard and are hand-selected from our very best barrels.
People often ask if CedarCreek has a secret recipe when it comes to making great wine. In fact, we do, it’s called family heritage. As it goes from father to son to grandchildren, the Fitzpatrick Family will continue to “respect the land, honour tradition and pursue perfection”. It’s a simple philosophy that makes for a proud legacy and a truly remarkable wine.
The St Hubertus and Oak Bay Vineyards where originally planted in 1928 by J.W. Hughes during a time when good agricultural land was plentiful.
Since 1984, the Gebert Family use sustainable farming practices on their 76 acre vineyard, to produce
wines that reflect the terroir of the north Okanagan valley under the
St Hubertus & Oak Bay label.
Harvest 2008 just ended!
we just harvested the last fruit under a beautiful fall ski. all the fruit show outstanding flavors .
the divergent grape juices are now in the cellar and started there journey to become great wines next year.
Jack Frost also made a visit to the winery and turned the vineyard into a icy wonderland.
Kelowna is situated in the heart of the Okanagan. Surrounded by lakes and mountains Kelowna tends to be the hub of the British Columbia Interior. With regions bordering on deserts and others that are alpine, the scenery around the Okanagan Valley is ever changing. Nestled in a valley situated next to Okanagan Lake, Kelowna is a prime place for agricultural growth.
The Winery itself is located 11km south of downtown, on the shores of Lake Okanagan. Surrounded by wilderness the winery is an excellent place to enjoy the views have a picnic in the vineyard or on the beach.
For Customers who can not visit us in paradise, below are some local telephone numbers and e-mail addresses You can order our Wines from:
Wineshop Hours of Operation
Winter Tues. to Sat. from 12:00 - 16:00
Spring Mon. to Sat. from 11:00 - 17:00
Summer 7 days a week from 10:00 - 17:30 May - Oct.
Cost: Tasting’s are Free Bus Tours (16+ People) Cost 5.50 +Tax with Appointments only !