in the Okanagan Falls area, where a Corkscrew Drive wine route of five wineries is promoted. Then there’s the eight- member


Similkameen Wineries


JUDIE STEEVES


Thornhaven Estates winery, on the slopes of Giant’s Head Mountain, is one of nearly a dozen stops along the way on Bottleneck Drive.


“Now, people know it’s worthwhile to pull off the highway,” said Fraser. Each winery pays a flat rate for exposure through the website, signs and advertising, with a budget drawn up each fall and a quarterly payment determined. It’s a non-profit group, with all funds gathered going into promotion.


All are family-owned operations and they’re not in competition with each other, Fraser says. It’s up to each individual winery to sell consumers on their own wines. With so many to choose from, everyone will find a wine they like, he points out. “Ten businesses have far more pull than one.”


In all, they represent more than 100 acres of farmland and businesses in the Summerland area, with vineyards and orchards, wineries, restaurants and homes.


The group is also discussing other ways to take advantage of the power of their numbers; for instance, in mass purchasing. He figures even if they commit to a supplier to buy a specified amount of something from a single source, but don’t take delivery until different dates through the year, that should be enough to garner them a better rate.


“Our buying power as a group should save us money,” explains Fraser.


Even without that, he says, “There are real benefits to getting together like this for promotion.”


Other wineries have also found it beneficial to group together, including


Association (which also invites associate members who are not wineries) and the 19-member South Okanagan Wineries Association.


Members of the Bottleneck Drive group:


Hijas Bonitas, which means


Beautiful Daughters, is nestled in the cliffs north of Summerland overlooking its vineyard and Okanagan Lake.


Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, one of Canada’s most-awarded wineries, is situated right on Highway 97, with tours and tastings daily and the Cellar Door Bistro onsite.


Hollywood and Wine, off Dale Meadows Road on Lumsden Avenue is one of the newer wineries, with certified organic wine products from their own vineyard.


Next door is Valentine Farms, which is a vinegar works producing limited-


run, certified- organic wine vinegars which are available for sampling. Everything in the bottle is grown on their farm. On the slopes of Little Giant’s Head


Mountain, Thornhaven Estates on Andrews Avenue features a spectacular view over the vineyard, valley and lake, as well as award- winning wines.


Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery, at Summerland Sweets on Canyon View Road, uses locally-grown, B.C. fruit for its wines, and use classic wine-making traditions in the 13 off-dry table wines and eight late harvest, dessert-style wines.


Dirty Laundry Vineyard on Fiske Street is a boutique winery set in a beautiful site, with a story to tell along with the wines they sell. Picnic basket lunches are available to enjoy on a vine-draped patio with a view. Silkscarf Winery also features award- winning wines, and now casual dining at the Kitchenette as well as their award-winning wines.


Sonoran Estate Winery on Gartrell Road specializes in icewines and small- lot fermentations and was established in 2004. It includes the Full Moon Bistro.


Finally, at 8th Generation Vineyard, on Highway 97 south of Summerland near Trout Creek, both members of the husband and wife team have deep roots in grape growing and winemaking and they’re bringing the ninth generation into the business as well.


Producers of Quality


• Baco Noir • Cabernet Franc • Cabernet Sauvignon • Chardonnay • Dunkelfelder • Foch • Gamay


NOTE


• Gewurztraminer • Malbec • Marsanne • Merlot • Mourvedre • Muscat Ottonel • Orange Muscat


• Petite Verdot • Pinot Blanc • Pinot Gris • Pinot Noir • Riesling


• Sauvignon Blanc • Sovereign Coronation


MORI VINES INC. CONTACT: R.R. #3, 1912 Concession 4,


Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0 Phone: (905) 468-0822 • Fax: (905) 468-0344 email: morivines@sympatico.ca


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Summer 2010


Ron Fournier, Oliver, BC (250) 498-3350


25


• Seyval Blanc • Shiraz • Syrah • Vidal • Viognier • Zinfandel • Zweigelt


NOTE:: These vines are Canadian made! Many different clones are available. Rootstocks available are Riparia, S04 and 3309.


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