The GOODS from Kettle Valley Winery

Naramata, BC | Kettle Valley Winery is celebrating its 25th vintage this year and is offering celebration events, activities, and prices.

Join KVW in celebrating 25 years. To start, KVW is offering anyone who joins their mailing list/Boxcar Club an opportunity to indulge in celebration pricing on a variety of their wines for a 25% discount (1% for each year of operations). The current wines for members to enjoy at a 25% discount include: 2012 Old Main Red, 2010 Malbec, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Gewurztraminer, and 2014 Pinot Gris. Other wines will be made available during the year. Contact info [at] kettlevalleywinery.com to join.

Co-Owners and Co-Winemakers Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts comment jointly on this anniversary, “Wow, has it really been that long?” The brothers-in-law started to make wine as a hobby in an apartment many years ago. Then they decided to grow their own grapes and in 1986 they bought their first property on the Naramata Bench; and in 1987 they planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They were the third winery on the Bench and the 23rd winery to open in BC.

This family owned and operated business still remains a down-to-earth and hands-on winery committed to farming full flavoured grapes and creating distinguished wines.

Bob comments,” Even with 25 years under our belts, Tim and I still remain involved in all the daily operations of the winery and passionate about crafting premium wines from our vineyards.” Tim’s eldest son, Andrew, has come back to the winery after several years in New Zealand and other wine countries to assist with the winemaking and continue the families’ hands-on approach. Tim comments, “Andrew shares our commitment to growing the best grapes we can to make the best wines, with minimal intervention, in the winemaking process.”

Bob and Tim are proud of their years of making wine and are most appreciative of the long standing relationships they have had with wine consumers, restaurants and wine shops, many of whom have become their friends.

Kettle Valley Winery is on the Naramata Bench and is a founding member of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association. They now produce 10,000 cases a year

Watch the website for updates on Anniversary Celebrations, winemaker dinners, library tastings and other events throughout the year.

DETAILS

2988 Hayman Road, Naramata, BC
Telephone: 250-496-5898
Web: www.kettlevalleywinery.com | Facebook | Twitter

GALLERY

The People Who Make It Happen

Co-Owners and Co-Winemakers: Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts

About Kettle Valley Winery

Brothers-in-law, Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts, thought they were going to grow grapes as a hobby when the two buddies started to make wine in an apartment. Then in 1986 they expanded and bought a small piece of land on the Naramata Bench to grow their own grapes, and that grew into Kettle Valley Winery which became a distinguished winery business that has gained a cult-status following. Despite this status, the family owned and operated business still remains down-to-earth and committed to farming full flavoured grapes and creating distinguished wines.

Bob, a chartered accountant, and Tim, a geologist, obtained the third winery licence granted on the Naramata Bench and accumulated more that 4.5 hectares by 1991. Their first vintage was in 1992 with 44 cases of Pinot Noir. When they started planting their first vineyard there were no wineries open on the Bench. By the time they opened their tasting room doors, they were the 4th winery on the Bench and only the 23rd in BC. This year, 2015, marks their 24th harvest, making it the oldest single-owner winery on the Naramata Bench.

Bob and Tim are proud of their years of making wine at their family farm winery.

Over these years they have been most appreciative of the long standing relationships they have had with wine consumers, restaurants, and wine shops, all of whom have been their customers and have become their friends.

It has always been about making the wine for Bob and Tim which has been a passionate and memorable ride, and they continue to look forward to more years of farming the grapes and sharing their wines.

“Every year we learn something new,” Bob comments. “Tim has a tremendous understanding of earth science which helps in deciding which grapes should be planted in specific areas.” In 2013 Kettle Valley launched their Great Northern Vineyard series of wines. Tim’s son Andrew came back to the winery after stints in New Zealand, Chile, France, and Nova Scotia and took on the responsibility for the winemaking of the Great Northern Wines in 2013 and assumed responsibility for all Great Northern vineyard operations in 2014.

Kettle Valley takes environmental sustainability very seriously and to that end has developed a water management system that reduces their net water usage in the winery to about 20% of what is used in an average residence, and they are continuing to create more solutions for even better water management. As well, Kettle Valley installed its own weather station in 2014, as another step to work the best way they can with Mother Nature

Each year Kettle Valley Winery sponsors some very interesting events including the UBC Grand Prix cycling event and hosts Landscape Photography workshops at the winery with internationally recognized photographer Scott Forsyth.

Kettle Valley Winery is on the Naramata Bench and a founding member of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association. They now produce 10,000 cases a year from 28 acres on the Naramata Bench and 14 acres in the Cawston / Keremeos area. Currently Kettle Valley has a portfolio of 25 wines.

Visit their home-based tasting room in person or visit the website for information on wine releases and events.

Climb aboard for a glass of history and a taste of the future!