24
feeding post-harvest grape pomace to cattle. The project received funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. They’ve also worked with TRU business students to research augmented reality options for marketing. Hospitality and tourism classes undertake event design projects at the winery, while practicum students from TRU’s horticulture program work in the vineyard. Monte Creek typically hires 10 students to staff its tasting room each summer. “TRU offers a lot of benefit to the community and with the diversity of our business, we can give students real-life experiences,” says Fisher. “It’s been a mutually beneficial relationship.”
REAL-LIFE experiences nfrom pg 23 Fisher says part of the
reason for the operation’s diversity is that sustainability is really important to his entire team, many of which contribute ideas that are implemented. “We’re trying to really
create biodiversity here and not look at things as a monoculture,” he explains. Pigs were added this year to eat scraps from the restaurant, reducing food waste and adding their own natural nitrogen to the soil. Chickens assist with insect control in the vineyards and produce eggs for the restaurant and staff. Bees pollinate their haskaps and supply honey. Monte Creek also leases a portion of its land to a goat farmer. The grazing goats provide free landscaping, useful on steeper slopes. “There’s a lot of
greenwashing going on right now where businesses say, ‘we got rid of Post-it notes’ to convince people that they are green,” says Fisher. “We’re really aiming for a more holistic approach in our actions.” Monte Creek recently
1997 KENWORTH W900
W/ 22' SILAGE BOX, REAR UNLOAD, CAT 3176, EATON 8 SPEED W/DOUBLE LOW $27,000
purchased an electric forklift to replace a propane version and have asked suppliers to reduce extra packaging. It encourages its 45 employees to carpool using a point system. “We have a lot of 25 to
45-year-old staff members, and that age group seems determined to make a difference,” says Fisher. “They want to belong to an organization that supports their vision and passion.”
Big plans CUSTOM BUILT
2019 22 FOOT SILAGE BOX CHAIN FLOOR, REAR UNLOAD, SIDE EXTENSIONS $24,900
Although Monte Creek has intentionally used local history to its advantage as part of its brand identity, the
COVER CROPS?
Monte Creek Ranch Winery general manager Erik Fisher, who sits on the boards of the Canadian Vintners Association, BC Wine Institute and Thompson Okanagan Tourism, enjoys a glass of wine with assistant winemaker Jesse Steinley. SUBMITTED PHOTO
business continues planning for the future. It’s seeking permission for a new 18,000-square-foot gravity-flow production facility, which Fisher hopes to begin building next spring. It would increase production capacity from 18,000 to 45,000 cases a year. “The winemaking process is completed with a much gentler handling process than pumps when the fruit moves by gravity,” says Fisher, noting that the process will suit the Pinot Noir and
Gamay grapes the winery has planted over the past two years. Additionally, he would like to include some onsite accommodation for both guests and staff but recent changes to regulations governing the Agricultural Land Reserve are creating challenges. Fisher would also like to build an 1,800-seat amphitheatre on the property with parking for 500 vehicles. There’s no timetable but the project has received
Room to grow With just 75 acres of vineyard on 1,200
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acres, Monte Creek has plenty of room to grow production. While the Thompson Valley is one of BC’s newer wine regions, its northern latitude delivers about 2,000 hours of sunlight each year. Summer conditions are hot and arid, but the river valley provides natural ventilation that moderates the temperature and reduces pest and disease pressure. This also means fewer inputs. Thompson Valley grapes have higher natural acidity than those from elsewhere in
BC thanks to a diurnal temperature shift of up to 25 degrees, one of the largest in the province. However, the warm, dry conditions also
allow for experimentation with early ripening varieties on the glacial till soils. Some blocks that didn’t pan out have been replanted. The cold snap this past February resulted in significant bud mortality but by July, many vines had recovered with an above-average fruit set.
—Myrna Stark Leader
Attention Ranchers BC feedlots want to purchase your 2019 calves!
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Four feedlots are looking to acquire a combined total of 12,000 head of ranch direct calves from across the province. All weights of steers and heifers are wanted.
If you are interested, please contact any of the feedlots listed below for more information:
Coldstream Ranch Keith: 250.503.8616
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approval from both the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Agricultural Land Commission. “We have a natural
depression close to the winery, a bowl, that can’t really be planted, so we’ve put together a conceptual plan to have entertainment,” says Fisher.
“Being on the Trans-
Canada Highway, we think we have proximity to any band travelling between Vancouver to Calgary or Edmonton.”
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • SEPTEMBER 2019
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