“The Summerhill family of over 150 employees is truly thrilled to share the excitement of their glorious award –
THE BEST CHARDONNAY IN THE WORLD for the 2014 Chardonnay Icewine at the Chardonnay du Monde® 2017 competition in Burgundy, France!” says Stephen Cipes, proprietor of Summerhill Pyramid Organic Winery. “Winning the number one Chardonnay wine in the world is a triumph for organic growing and winemaking. It recognizes being in harmony with nature, and the Okanagan Valley’s pristine growing conditions, which have been bringing pride to Canadians for 25 years.”
“Winning the number one Chardonnay wine in the world is a triumph for organic growing and winemaking.”
Summerhill is the only Canadian winery in the Top Ten of Chardonnay du Monde, selected from 706 entrees from 38 countries. To buy 2014 Chardonnay Icewine and for news, events and wine releases see summerhill.bc.ca.
Cipes joined David Suzuki’s Blue Dot movement giving all BC residents the right to clean air and water. Dr. Suzuki signed the 2020 Vision to return the entire Okanagan Valley to its “original pristine wilderness state with an aggressive movement to transition the entire Valley to 100% organic by year 2020”. Join thousands including most of the Chiefs and Mayors, and celebrities to sign the Declaration at organicOkanagan.com. (Visit alloneera.com to see Cipes and Dr. Suzuki signing plus read the introduction to Cipes’ new book, All One Era.)
Winter was a whirlwind as Summerhill received the precious Platinum Award for Cipes Blanc de Blanc 2010 sparkling, and Stephen Cipes was bestowed the coveted Founders Award. That Blanc de Blanc captured Silver at the 2017 Chardonnay Du Monde® making Summerhill the only Canadian winery to achieve two medals.
Summerhill’s leadership as an organic and fully certified biodynamic operation garnered many international and national awards in its 25 years producing organic wines. Friendly, multi lingual staff greet visitors from around the world to Summerhill’s “MODEL OF MAN AND NATURE”. The 80-acre vineyard affords a sweeping 30-km view of the lake, Bennett Bridge, Kelowna, and much of Westbank across Okanagan Lake.
Featuring spectacular sunsets, the 200-seat Sunset Organic Bistro offers “rustic-casual elegance” – a fun place to see and be seen! Chef Alex Lavroff ensures menus are in sync providing a “harmonious combination of flavours including bright citrus components, floral notes, and fresh inspiration from the seasonal garden and BC’s honoured organic farmers and foragers.” Integrated are techniques and flavours from Thailand and Indonesia that play “creatively and gracefully with Summerhill’s organic wines”. A new FOOD BAR opens this Spring with organic small plates for those on the go or for family dining in the newly-expanded picnic park and plaza overlooking the lake.
While incorporating organic practices since 1986, having certified organic status in the vineyard and cellar, and Demeter Biodynamic status, Summerhill just applied to become Certified Naturally Grown (CNG), “a grassroots certification that reduces the costs and time-consuming aspects that act as barriers to organic conversion, while building a stronger community.” Currently there are 25 CNG farms across Canada.
Summerhill wants people to feel genuinely at home, and was officially designated as a member of the Canadian Signature Experiences collection by the Canadian Tourism Commission when it launched 2011. The ‘Discover Pyramid Power’ Signature Experience invites you to tour the sacred geometry pyramid (“second only to The Great Pyramid of Egypt for precision in alignment”) wine cellar, taste award-winning organic wines, and pair them with farm-to-table cuisine in the Sunset Organic Bistro. The CTC believes the collection exemplifies a breadth of unique, authentic Canadian travel experiences that portrays Canada’s tourism brand to the world.
Summerhill attracts 1,000 to 3,000 visitors daily, and Cipes says, “We empower our employees to exude famous Canadian hospitality with warm welcomes and love.” Recently his son Ezra Cipes, CEO, shared Summerhill’s initiative to expand facilities, programs, and staff to better accommodate those numbers of guests. The expansion plan includes a hospitality hall to greet arrivals and direct guests to tasting rooms, tour locations, restaurant, special event spaces and other facilities.
~ Roslyne Buchanan