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Burrowing Owl Taps Lee Humphries & Damian Mischkinis To Lead Culinary Team

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The GOODS from Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Oliver, BC | The Okanagan’s Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is pleased to announce two changes to its culinary team: Lee Humphries has been appointed Director of Culinary Operations for Vintage Hospitality, while Damian Mischkinis is the new Chef de Cuisine at the winery’s award-winning Sonora Room Restaurant. The Sonora Room will open for the 2015 season on Friday, February 27th, but guests can get an advance taste of what’s in store when the restaurant serves a special Valentine’s dinner menu on February 13th and 14th.

The Sonora Room is known for serving world-class cuisine that showcases locally-sourced ingredients such as Okanagan-grown produce, artisanal breads and cheeses, and sustainable seafood. It’s a natural fit for Humphries and Mischkinis, both of whom are strong proponents of the local food movement.

Humphries started his career in Cornwall, England, but since he moved to BC more than a decade ago he has worked at some of the top names on the local culinary scene, including West (under David Hawksworth), FigMint, Elixir at the Opus Hotel, the Heather Hospitality Group, and C Restaurant. Most recently the Executive Chef at Local Lounge * Grill in Summerland, Humphries is already familiar with the incredible bounty of ingredients grown and produced in the Okanagan Valley. In his new role with Vintage Hospitality, Humphries is responsible for overseeing the successful operation and profitability of back of house operations in all businesses operated by Vintage, including Liquidity Bistro and The Gunbarrel.

His primary focus for 2015, however, will be to launch the summer season and support the Sonora Room’s new Chef de Cuisine Damian Mischkinis. Humphries and Mischkinis already have a strong working relationship, as Mischkinis was Humphries’ Sous Chef in Summerland. Prior to that Mischkinis worked in both Vancouver and Banff, notably at C Restaurant and the Heather Hospitality Group. Together the two men will bring a fresh approach to culinary operations at the Sonora Room, with the joint goal of of delivering unparalleled wine country dining.

DETAILS

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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
500 Burrowing Owl Place
Oliver, British Columbia, V0H 1T1
Toll Free: 877.498.0620 | Local: 250.498.0620
Web: www.bovwine.ca | Facebook | Twitter

GALLERY

  • Wyse Family
  • Wine shop
  • Vineyard Winter
  • The Sonora Room
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  • The Sonora Room_3
  • syrah_2011-md
  • SR Tuna Leza Chef C
  • SR Duck - Chef C
  • Jim Wyse with Dusty
  • hands in grapes
  • Guest House pool_4
  • Guest House Pool Deck
  • Guest House Pillow Pts
  • Guest House breakfast table
  • GH Penthouse Lvg Rm2
  • Dusty_01
  • Chris Wyse President
  • chardonnay_2012_lg
  • Buuowing Owl Vineyard at dusk
  • Burrowing Owl winter
  • Burrowing Owl wines
  • Burrowing Owl Fall
  • Burrowing Owl exterior_2
  • 10-Meritage-Label
  • Burrowing Owl exterior_1
  • Burrowing Owl beauty vineyard_ext
  • Bottle line Up Outdoors

The People Who Make It Happen

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Jim Wyse, Founder & Proprietor
Chris Wyse, President
Kerri Wyse-McNolty, Marketing Director
Tom DiBello, Winemaker
Lee Humphries, Director of Culinary Operations
Damian Mischkinis, Chef de Cuisine, The Sonora Room Restaurant
Dave Keeler, Operator, The Sonora Room Restaurant
Lynn Coulthard, Manager, The Sonora Room Restaurant

About Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

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Located near the north end of Osoyoos Lake in BC’s fabled Okanagan Valley, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is devoted to crafting world-class wines in an environmentally-sustainable manner. Founder Jim Wyse has always had a strong commitment to striving for balance in all things, and this philosophy infuses everything that’s done at Burrowing Owl, from viticulture to winemaking. In the vineyard, the natural balance is maintained by recruiting bluebirds and bats to help control harmful insects; at the winemaking facilities, state-of-the-art technology is employed along with traditional winemaking methods. Remarkable for its strikingly beautiful setting as well as its environmental leadership, the winery has become a destination for wine lovers around the globe: every year Burrowing Owl welcomes over 100,000 visitors at its Wine Shop, Sonora Room Restaurant, and Guest House. Burrowing Owl’s success has also benefited our feathered friends, as the winery supports conservation work that is helping its namesake, the endangered burrowing owl, make a comeback in British Columbia.

The Sonora Room Restaurant

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Burrowing Owl’s Sonora Room restaurant showcases the best of the Okanagan in both food and wine. We serve creative Pacific Northwest cuisine featuring local ingredients and products, including fresh fruit and vegetables and artisanal breads and cheeses. Sonora Room staff are always happy to recommend the perfect pairing from our exclusive wine list, which includes Burrowing Owl library wines no longer available for public sale. Feast your eyes on spectacular views of the Burrowing Owl vineyards as you enjoy lunch or dinner in our warm, inviting dining room or on our patio. The Sonora Room is open daily throughout the season; reservations are recommended.

The Burrowing Owl Guest House

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Offering stunning views of the Burrowing Owl vineyards, our Guest House features ten spacious south-facing rooms, each with a fireplace and private deck. Amenities include an outdoor pool, an all-season hot tub, and our Fireside Lounge. We also offer Wine Country breakfasts and in-room spa treatments. Those wishing to combine business with pleasure will find our Board Room and AV presentation facilities ideal for corporate retreats.