t reads like the dream story of every winemaker. Young man earns a science degree in Ontario, then adds a Master of Science in Oenology in Adelaide, Australia. He gets his hands-on experience making wines in McLaren Vale, Northern Rhone, Marlborough, Niagara and the Okanagan/Similkameen regions of British Columbia. And then the offer comes.
Andrew Windsor is now listed as the winemaker for Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, where he works under the direction of founder and winemaker extraordinaire, Sandra Oldfield. Oldfield, whose name has become synonymous with BC wines, has given herself a promotion, assuming the title of President/CEO.
“I feel like I’ve finally come home,” Andrew says, sipping a glass of wine at his temporary home in Penticton. “I had visited the winery before and I knew it was a good spot and a good business. So this is an awesome opportunity, to work with Sandra, who has had 20 years working at the same location with the same grapes.
“It’s also amazing to work with the other key players, like Andrew Moon (Tinhorn Creek’s viticulturist/vineyard manager since 2009), who contribute to the success of the business.”
Originally from Ontario, Andrew didn’t know just how to get involved in the wine industry.
“But I liked drinking wine and learning about where they were made—that was the beginning of my curiosity.” He had a stint of selling wine in Ontario and met Jamie MacFarlane of The Ice House. Next thing he knew, Andrew was called out in the middle of the night to pick frozen grapes.
“I didn’t even know what to wear!”
Now, eight years and four countries later, Andrew has a dream job at one of the country’s most prestigious wineries, and the chance to work with an acknowledged master, with access to some of BC’s best grapes.
“This isn’t a dream, right?” he laughs.
~ Lorne Eckersley