Cover Story


A first for Lillooet


Ruggedmountains of the Fraser Canyon country are a dramatic backdrop for the province’s newest winegrape region.


By Susan McIver L


illooet’s fledgling wine industry is developing strong wings. Fort Berens EstateWinery, the first commercial winery in the Fraser River


community, wrapped up last year by winning a prestigious award and breaking ground for its new building. “Our tag line is the first winery in Lillooet, not the


only one,” Rolf de Bruin said in a Vancouver newspaper interview. De Bruin and his wife Heleen Pannekoek are the


founders and two of the owners of Fort BerensWinery. The other Lillooet winery, Texas Creek Ranch, owned


by Brad Kesselman and Eckhard and Deanne Zeidler, will bemaking wine from27 varietals this year. “This comes on the heels of planting new varieties


annually for the past four years,” Eckhard said. Last November, Fort Berens’ 2012 Chardonnay won


the titleWhiteWine of the Year at Cornucopia, Whistler’s annual celebration of food and wine. “This is a huge honor for our team.We founded the


winery in 2009 and to win such an important award so early in our winemaking career shows us we are on the right path,” said Pannekoek, when she accepted the award. The award-winning wine is Fort Berens’ first 100 per


cent estate-grown Chardonnay. Previously, wine sold under the Fort Berens label was


Heleen Pannekoek, left, who established Fort Berens with her husband Rolf de Bruins, and co-owner John McConnell, examine grapes from the vineyard.


made fromOkanagan grapes. In late October, ground was broken for a new 9,500


square-foot building that will include a 1,100 square foot tasting room, which is anticipated to be open by this summer. Visitors will be able to watch the winemaking process


and see the internal working of the winery as they approach the tasting room. Until now wine has beenmade in an old tractor barn,


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Spring 2014 7


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