After a record-breaking bottling session of six weeks straight (2012 was their largest vintage to date), Wild Goose Vineyards (WGV) GM Roland Kruger takes a well-deserved moment to admire the winery’s new building. Completed last summer, this represents the first full season visitors can enjoy the beautiful new premises, complete with a private function room and generously sized deck overlooking the vineyards. Currently WGV is in the process for applying for their lounge endorsement, thus enabling a food element attached to the winery.
The new facilities have enough room for both the winery’s first on-site weddings, as well as their tasting room ‘marketplace’ of wine-related items.
“We used to sell lots of accessories in the beginning, but cut down on it due to lack of space,” says Kruger.
The overall increase in building space, wine production and fun, new products demonstrates the healthy growth of this well-known Okanagan Falls winery. Since 1984, WGV has been family run, with family maintaining a huge role in all aspects of the business.
“We’re still very much a family winery,” explains Kruger. “Along with our tremendous staff, we’re the ones in the tasting room. For us, it’s all about the people. We love people so much. We have people that have been coming here for 20 years. You can win all the medals, but when people keep coming back – it’s the best feeling in the world.”
WGV’s 2012 whites were released mid-spring including their previously sold-out and extremely popular “Autumn Gold” (aromatic, fruit-forward blend of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Riesling that just won Best White Blend at the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival) and Pinot Gris. The 2011 reds will be released mid-summer, including a new Bordeaux-style blend called Horizon.
The wine shop is open daily 10 – 5. Visitors are welcome to picnic in the licensed picnic area. Private tours of the winery are also offered throughout the summer – interested parties (minimum four people) should contact the winery to book ahead.
~ Sarah Willard
(photo: Roland and Hagen Kruger – left to right)