Daniel and Christy Bibby are not strangers to the food and wine scene. Daniel has been executive chef and director of food and beverage for several hotels and is currently the general manager of the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna.
In 2008, the two were captivated by the vineyard lifestyle following a stay in Oliver. Christy explains, “Our vineyard dream started over seven years ago, shortly after we spent a weekend at Burrowing Owl on the Black Sage Bench. It was our first getaway without kids in quite some time, and waking up in the morning (with a coffee in hand) overlooking their vineyards was an amazing experience. As we drove back to Kelowna that afternoon, we noticed a couple of small vineyards for sale, which started us thinking…”how could we possibly make this work, and change our lifestyle to live the Okanagan Dream”. After discovering pictures of a beautiful property in Okanagan Falls with a gorgeous log home, we set out with our GPS to find this paradise. Our journey took us up past See Ya Later Ranch, which had always been one of our favorite wineries, and as we came around the bend in the road with the view of Green Lake…we fell in love. It became an obsession really, which took us another four or five years to sort out the financing and bring on two of our good friends as partners – David and Melanie Flotten. It was certainly well worth the wait!”
Food and wine are a theme in this family with all four of the Bibby’s children involved in the Okanagan wine industry. Nighthawk Vineyards currently has six wines to offer in their portfolio: Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Noir Rosé, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. With a 2015 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir releasing soon and a signature Cabernet Franc in barrels planned to be released in 2017.
Christy explains, “What we really love about the wine industry in our valley, is the camaraderie and support between the farmers and small producers. When we succeed, we all succeed together…”
(pictured: (l-r) David, Melanie, Carson, Dakota, Christy & Daniel with vineyard dog “Callie”)
~ Jennifer Schell