Updated, April 20th, 2021. As District Wine Village nears its first phase completion several wineries and breweries have confirmed their partnerships. To date they include:
One Faith Vineyards
Trading Post Brewing & Trading Post Eatery
Wapiti Cellars
Vintners Cove
Stay tuned for more!
Oliver’s claim as the Wine Capital of Canada is about to get a serious boost with the arrival of District Wine Village. Located just a few minutes north of town (near Gallagher Lake, right below McIntyre Bluff / Ny-lin-tn) the ‘village’ will be the first of its kind in Canada. Scheduled for completion by next summer, it has the potential to transform the wine, craft spirits, small brewing and tourism industries in the valley and beyond.
In all likelihood it will become the gateway to the South Okanagan.
The main purpose behind District Wine Village is to offer a viable and practical alternative to often prohibitive start-up costs faced by neophyte winery owners. The initial phase features 16 stand-alone buildings specifically designed to accommodate artisan wineries, cideries, distillers or brewers.
Each 1500 sq. ft. stand-alone winery structure comes fully plumbed and equipped, right down to the glycol cooled tanks and misters for the small barrel room. Under 14 ft. ceilings there’s room for production in back, with retail and tasting bar out front, along with a lounge and 35 seat patio. Every unit is already fully permitted and licensed, offering, in essence, a turnkey operation.
“The whole idea is to minimize the capital outlay,” says industry veteran Mike Daley, who is District Wine Village’s director of operations. “All people need to bring is their own barrels, some hoses and and a pump, perhaps some glassware for the front and their brand—and away they go!” Daley reports no shortage of interest from prospective wineries as well as several growers, a brewer and distiller.
If you build it will they come?
There’s no question that District Wine Village will emerge as a significant tourism and hospitality draw. For many it will be their first or last stop in a day of winery touring in ‘the south.’ But the village will also appeal to a broader range of tastes, offering sales of beer, cider and spirits as well as wine—plus food and entertainment—all at one convenient destination.
At its heart, surrounded by artisan producers, will be a full service restaurant and liquor primary licensed space to accommodate up to 600 guests, along with room for plenty of culinary, educational and other activities to showcase the local bounty.
Also, just planted is a five acre vineyard that will further enhance the wine country feel. The newest addition to the plan? A $350,000 skating oval and fire pits close to the village centre that will help to offset the quieter winter season.
Deep Roots in the Valley
There’s no shortage of know-how driving District Wine Village. It’s the brainchild of Matt Kenyon, general manager of Greyback Construction, which has to-date built over 40 noteworthy wineries in the Okanagan. The project is 100 percent funded by the Kenyon family, Greyback’s owners.
Construction is well under way. “We already have clients who are planning to press grapes this fall (on the shared crush pad),” says Daley, who adds,“We anticipate that buildings will begin opening next spring to the public, as the village grows.”
He explains that each building is licensed individually. “We’ve acquired the licenses and then transfer the assignment to a three- to five-year lease. If and when you leave, you leave the license behind.”
That kind of legwork and expense in itself represents a considerable incentive. It’s yet one more reason that the project appeals strongly to someone planning to launch their own small winery. But Daley is quick to point out that, beyond providing the facility, everything else—from how they craft their product to branding and labeling—is very much under the lessee’s control.
“We don’t want to have any say or manipulate anything. We want everybody to be making different things and expressing their own particular artisan craft in the way that they desire,” he stresses.
The operations director also says there’s been no shortage of interest from players small and large. The idea of being able to have a presence in the valley without the need to invest several million dollars is highly appealing, including to wineries and distilleries who may be already established elsewhere.
“We’ve had great feedback and lots of interest. People can’t wait for the doors to be open,” advises Daley. “Even if Covid19 has brought a few trials and tribulations, we feel that by the middle of next year we’ll be in good shape for our grand opening.”
Whether you’re an aspiring garagiste, existing winery owner, brewer, distiller or cider-maker, District Wine Village might indeed be a good fit. Interested parties are invited to contact Mike Daley at 250-809-1869, mdaley@greyback.com for comprehensive details.
This post is sponsored by District Wine Village
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