(in photo: Winemaker Jim Faulkner)
At Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery, a quaint and charming spot overlooking Okanagan Lake on a volcanic hillside in West Kelowna, the entire operation is overseen by the Gidda family. Kal and Nirmal Gidda have tended to the grapes since long before the Okanagan became synonymous with world-class wines. From the vine to the bottle, every detail and decision is carefully considered by the Gidda family, who take a hands-on approach to their 20-plus varieties of wine.
The Gidda family has operated their vineyards since 1968, and as always, Mt. Boucherie wines are produced from 100% estate-grown grapes. The family’s vast vineyard holdings include 300 acres of grapes in Cawston, Okanagan Falls and West Kelowna.
Mt. Boucherie offers a glorious spot for picnickers, with a breathtaking view of Okanagan Lake punctuated by lush green vineyards. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic lunch and they can purchase a bottle of Mt. Boucherie’s finest to create the perfect pairing. Wine aficionados can drop by the winery any time of the year and enjoy an intimate tasting.
Winemaker Jim Faulkner is a big part of the success story that is Mt. Boucherie. He has been at the winery since 2009 and prior to that, he made his mark on several of the region’s wineries including CedarCreek and Summerhill. He leads his team in the production of over 25,000 cases annually including reds, whites, dessert and icewines.
Many of Mt. Boucherie’s regular followers are members of the winery’s wine club. Membership is free and the benefits include advance notice of upcoming new releases and the ability to purchase new products before they hit the shelves.
~ Deanna Merrick