History Articles - Cheers! Okanagan Tours and Transportation

Lake Country Wineries – Arrowleaf Cellars

Cheers — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 09:00:17 +0000

The Story

Lake Country Wineries – Arrowleaf Cellars is a family business owned and operated by Swiss Canadians, Joe and Margrit Zuppiger and their son Manuel. Having two decades of farming experience in both fruit growing and dairy operations, Joe and Margrit were looking to try something new. In 1997 they purchased Suncrest Vineyard with the goal of starting a land based winery. Manuel went back to Switzerland to study wine making and returned with a keen interest to make quality wines in the Okanagan wine region. Arrowleaf officially opened its doors in Spring 2003 with 2001 whites and 2002 red wines.

Recent Highlights

2013 – The Grand Opening of the new tasting room & barrel cellar designed by architect Robert Mackenzie.

2014 – Named the Number 2 Winery in Canada by The National Wine Awards of Canada based on medal standing at the 2014 competition.

2014 – A Gold Medal for 2012 Solstice Pinot Noir at the, Mondial des Pinots, held in Switzerland. A prestigious world-wide pinot-based competition.

2014 – The Grand Opening of The Kitchen at Arrowleaf.

2015 – The White Wine of the Year trophy award for 2016 Riesling at the All Canadian Wine Championships.

2016 – A Gold medal for 2014 Solstice Pinot Noir at the Mondial des Pinots.

2017 – The release of Arrowleafs first sparkling wine, Wildblume (Vidal).

2017 – Received Two Gold medals at the Mondial des Pinots: 2016 Pinot Gris and 2015 Pinot Noir.

2018 – The release of new wine labels and updated portfolio: Arrowleaf varietal wines, Field Collection blended wines and Archive limited production premium wines.

Kitchen and Bakery

The kitchen & bakery features scratch-made lunch items and quality pastries. Some of the picnic-inspired lunch foods include cheese & charcuterie boards and hand-rolled flat-breads. They are pastry lovers and take pride in offerings like the salted caramel cream puff, four layer carrot cake, and fresh-baked breads. The menu is inclusive for all diners and offers a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes. Enjoy the fresh fare in a relaxed setting on the patio or picnic area with beautiful views of the vineyards and Okanagan Lake.

Name Sake

The winery is named after the Arrowleaf Balsamroot, also known as the Okanagan Sunflower. It is local to the area and blooms on the hillsides in early spring. The Arrowleaf is a symbol of their commitment to producing terroir-driven wines.

You can Experience, Arrowleaf Cellars as part of a Lake Country Wine Tour departing twice daily from Kelowna.

Or follow this link for tasting info and directions.

Content and Images borrowed admiringly from Arrowleafcellars.com

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Summerland Wineries – 8th Generation Vineyard

Cheers — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 17:29:40 +0000

The Story

Summerland Wineries – 8th Generation Vineyard was etched out of tradition and flavored with passion, it is the story of a love affair that began in 1783 when Christian Schales planted his first grapes in the small Rheinhessen Village of Dalsheim. Today, 8 generations later, the story continues in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Armed with generations of wine making and grape growing experience behind them and his grandfather’s wine-press, Bernd and Stefanie Schales left Germany, May 2003, in search of a new adventure; a new chapter for their next generation.

Sounds like a fairy tale. Well that all changed when they bought their first 11 acre vineyard property, 3 weeks later, in Okanagan Falls. They moved into the house, grew the grapes & sold them to different wineries in the Okanagan while they learned about the hot summers, cool nights and sometimes frigid winter conditions in Canada. The farming concept worked for the next couple years until (in the view of the neighbor) “these crazy kids” got a bit bored and mingled with the idea of starting a winery.

They acquired the Summerland property in 2007 (which included 7 acres of vineyard and the winery warehouse) and processed the first vintage 5 weeks later. 8th Generation is a hands on and a true Family winery.

The People

Stefanie, is at the very epicenter of managing both the business and the young, energetic family. Professionally trained as a draftswomen, she has a strong appreciation for order, structure, and balance. Tremendous skills that are most beneficial to the business.

Bernd is the winemaker, and interprets his responsibilities to be as important in their Estate Vineyards as they are in the Cellar. He studied viticulture, oenology, and business management at the State Academy for Viticulture & Oenologie of Weinsberg in Germany. He’s refined his wine growing and wine making skills at his families vineyard in Germany, as well as in other wineries in Germany, New Zealand and South Africa.

Most gratifying to them is their ability to expose their children to the importance of taking pride in their craft, and how they care for the land that they are fortunate enough to make a living from.

Since then they have expanded the 8th Generation properties to two other locations. One in Naramata and one apple orchard beside the existing winery location. All of them are unique and all of them are worked by the Schales family and their team.

You can Experience 8th Generation Vineyards as part of a Summerland Wine Tour or a Naramata Bench Wine Tour , both departing daily from Kelowna.

You can join the 8th Generation Vineyard Wine Club

All Lineage Club members enjoy the following benefits:

10% Discount on all wine orders (online & in store)
No membership fee.
Lineage Wine Club Members get first option privileges on new wine releases, and also receive free shipping benefits on all full case acquisitions.
Access to our Syrah, which is a Club member only wine!
One complimentary wine tasting/ year for Club member and 5 friends.
All wines are selected by the winemaker. No substitutions are possible with the selection of wines.
Wine will be shipped mid March, mid June, and mid November.
Notification when specific varieties are running low, giving you one last chance to enjoy your favourites before they are gone.
Rural delivery charges may apply to remote areas.
Wine Club members must receive a minimum of 3 shipments before cancelling their membership. After which, membership can be cancelled up to 30 days prior to the current shipment, or will otherwise apply to next shipment.

There are 3 Different options to Join. Check them out HERE.

Some content and Images borrowed admiringly from Natalie MacLean, 8thgeneration.com, Penticton Herald, Marc Smith, UncorkedintheOkanagan and Trip Advisor.

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East Kelowna Wineries – Kitsch Wines

Cheers — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 17:55:39 +0000

East Kelowna Wineries – The story of Kitsch Wines begins with the family settling into the Okanagan in 1910 onto a lakefront pioneer settlement. 4 Generations later, Kitsch Wines founders Ria and Trent Kitsch, with the help of which must have been Amazing Friends, transformed overgrown fields into lush vineyards. Kitsch Wines is set on historic apple orchards which originally served as the Kelowna Land and Orchards (K.L.O) Headquarters.

The single vineyard wines embody the region’s rich soil and sun-soaked valleys. Cultivated through generations of ambition and love.

It’s said that the Kitsch family has captured the Okanagan in a glass.

Visit Kitsch Wines as part of an East Kelowna Wine Tour.

TRENT and MIA KITSCH

FOUNDERS, GROWERS, WINE LOVERS

Born and raised in the Okanagan Valley, Trent and Ria have long been eager to get their hands dirty and nurture the land they love. After selling a successful underwear company, the couple moved back to Kelowna in 2010, planted a vineyard, and started a family. Producing distinctive wines for the givers and makers, movers and shakers, the Kitsch family is grateful to savour their latest adventure with friends old and new.

GRANT BIGGS

WINE MAKER, WINE GROWER

From the Okanagan Valley to New Zealand, Grant has dedicated himself to learning all he can from experts and enthusiasts and is obsessed with wine making, growing and drinking – from late-night harvests to providing an exceptional tasting room experience. With his sommelier background, minimalist style and youthful ambition, Grant infuses deep care into every bottle of Kitsch wine – from grapes to glass.

You can join the Kitsch Wine Klub

Ensure you always have high-quality, special bottles of wine around to enjoy with friends and family when you join the Kitsch Wine Klub.

To sign up, all you need to do is complete and return this signed form.

There is a Spring/Summer case and a Fall/Winter case. These collections are hand-selected by our winemaker.

Price is approx $300 per shipment before taxes for full case / $150 per shipment before taxes for 6 pack.

WHY JOIN?

10-15% off the 2 orders and any other Kitsch Wine or Swag.
Free ticket to Kitsch’s main summer event. (Until sold out).
Priority on all library and early releases.
Free tastings at the Tasting Room.
Save yourself 12 trips to the wine store!!

Some content and Images borrowed admiringly from winesofcanada.com, janehoffman.com, kitschwines.ca.

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Lake Country Wineries – Ex Nihilo

Cheers — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 16:58:27 +0000

Ex Nihilo Vineyards & Tasting Room

Our journey began with nothing but a dream and passion inspired by Fredrick Hart’s sculpture, Ex Nihilo Latin for ‘Out of Nothing.’

It is a journey of place and of purpose reflected in each bottle from every vintage. Season after season we recommit ourselves as stewards of our remarkable terroir to nurture possibility. We endure the nihil of winter and patiently wait for the generous Okanagan sun to arrive and spark life so we can begin again, all to experience and share what comes ‘Out of Nothing.’

The vision of our two founding families carries on with extraordinary wines that are a product of the passion of those who make them and the unique traits of the land. Since 2018, Mike and Janet Azhadi have carried the torch as keepers of the vision and passion, first as principal proprietors and now as sole proprietors and proud leaders of our dedicated team since 2023.

The Okanagan Valley is home to four generations of the Azhadi family. Their love of wine and desire to bring people together to share in the magic of Ex Nihilo strengthen their commitment to giving back to the community as small business owners in Lake Country, British Columbia.

MIKE & JANET AZHADI

Proprietors

Mike’s experience spans over 40 years in business, engineering, and manufacturing. During this period Mike has worked with the largest global corporations in hospitality industries. Specifically, he worked in restaurants and manufacturing environments in worldwide executive leadership and ownership capacities. He strives to lead and work with a great team and take Ex Nihilo to an even higher level in enhancing and differentiating the brand.

Janet has worked in the Health Care Industry as a registered nurse, leader and educator for over 30 years. She is passionate about improving people’s lives and focuses her time on her family as well as local and international philanthropy causes.

As passionate wine lovers with a desire to bring people together, Mike and Janet became principal owners of Ex Nihilo in 2018 and in 2023 they became sole proprietors of Ex Nihilo.

With two other wineries currently under development, Mike and Janet are excited about building exceptional wine experiences in the Okanagan.

Content and Images borrowed admiringly from https://exnihilovineyards.com

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West Kelowna Wineries – Off The Grid Organic Winery

Cheers — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 16:59:19 +0000

This weeks spotlight is on one of our favorite West Kelowna Wineries.

Off The Grid Organic Winery.

Between the two houses of the Paynter brothers, Off The Grid Organic Winery, is the natural evolution of this family’s 100 years and five generations of farming in West Kelowna. When you visit Off The Grid, you’ll be greeted by friendly winery goats. You’ll enjoy unobstructed views of Okanagan Lake and experience your wine tasting in a fully sustainable, off the grid, building.

Off The Grid Organic Winery History

The Paynters emigrated to Canada from Alnwick, England in 1909. Edwin, had trained as a lawyer in England but came to Canada with farming intentions. The original 80 acre lot was purchased by Edwin from Walter D’Aeth ran from Butt Road down to Powers Creek.

With the outbreak of World War 1, Edwin returned to England for the duration of the war. After the war ended he and his wife Margaret returned in 1919 and started to farm the land. Edwin had a total of 7 children; 6 of them split the West Kelowna property and one daughter lived in East Kelowna.

The property where the winery stands, down to Paynters Fruit Market and the Corner Fruit Stall on Elliott were all a part of Henry Sr’s land that was passed down to him from his father, Edwin.

Henry was especially close to his older sister, Edwina, who never married and had no children. Henry, Sheila and Edwina ran cattle on the property where the winery is now into the late 40’s. When Edwina passed away her land was left to her brothers Henry and John. John Sr. then passed his land onto his only son, John who still lives on Paynter Road. John originally owned the lot on which the winery was planted, but sold it later in life to Off the Grid owners Travis and his wife Sheri, as well Nigel and his wife Hayley.

Are you confused yet? If not, we’re very impressed. Here’s the Coles Notes version: Nigel and Travis Paynter are from a long line of farmers who have lived on and worked their land for over a hundred years and are lucky enough to be married to two very smart and ambitious women.

“Together, they can make great wine, and that’s all that really matters.”

Off The Grid Winery can, should and likely will be included on your West Kelowna Wine Tour.

CHEERS!

Copy and images based on and borrowed admiringly from www.offthegridorganicwinery.com.

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