What’s an anniversary without wine, music, family, gift wrap and presents? Thornhaven Estates Winery is happily awash in all the above as it celebrates 15 great years, making it Summerland’s oldest family-run winery.
Anniversary gifts are pouring in for the winery. Thornhaven took Gold for its 2015 Gewürztraminer at the All Canadian Wine Championships and the BC Best of Varietal Spring Wine Awards. Its special anniversary XV Syrah also took Gold at the BC Best of Varietal Spring Wine Awards.
“Every time we are acknowledged with an award for our wines it’s a great compliment to our winemaker (son) Jason and the winery,” says Jan Fraser. “It shows we are doing a lot of things right in the vineyard and the cellar. In the end it’s about making excellent wine that will really be enjoyed.”
The winery is also celebrating its special anniversary by “gift wrapping” its wine bottles in new sexy, colourful, modern labels.
There is no doubt that family will be present for the year-long anniversary celebration as well, as they are all involved in the business. Headed by Jan and Jack Fraser, in addition to the key contributions from son Jason and daughter Cortney, who heads sales and marketing, Cortney’s husband Nick is the Okanagan sales representative and runs the wine club.
Why not drop into Thornhaven and do some celebrating with them? The adobe-style winery boasts stunning views of vineyards, canyons and Lake Okanagan and its patio is the only place to be on sunny fall day during harvest.
“We have had an incredible summer of a full patio with our live music on weekends, the fun of adding Bad Tattoo beer as an option and people bringing picnics and their dogs to enjoy our special spot in Summerland. We are excited for another early harvest,” says Jan. “It should be another incredible year for great new vintages.”
Get ready to dust off your polka shoes on October 1st with live German-style Oktoberfest music with Vic Ukrainetz. October 8th it’s time for some, “I’s da b’y that catches the fish and brings ‘em home to Liza,” with Celtic-inspired Cod Gone Wild who celebrate Newfie music like nobody’s business. Both events are patio-packed and you will be dancing.
thornhaven.com
~ Elaine Davidson