Pay a visit to The View Winery and Wards Cidery in Kelowna, and you are likely to meet a member of the family that has owned the property for over 100 years.
Meet the Family
Pictured here are Jennifer Turton-Molgat, her daughter Madeleine, niece Emily Turton and nephew Lucas Turton. The younger generation are part of the tasting room and retail store staff preparing for a busy summer season. The setting is The View Winery’s picnic area where guests can nibble on charcuterie and relax under the boughs of charming old-growth apple trees.
Historic Beginnings
Nearby, a rustic tasting room and adjoining cellar welcome visitors into the historic building which was recently recognized with an award from the Central Okanagan Heritage Society. Originally an apple packing house, the structure was built by the family’s patriarch George Ward in the 1920s.
Wine and Cider
The winery and cidery feature an impressive list of beverages all grown, crafted and packaged on the family estate. Signature wines include aromatic, cool-climate whites made from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Ehrenfelser; intriguing rosés and reds made from Pinot Noir and Pinotage; and vivacious sparkling wines: Pearls Traditional Brut, Distraction Frizzante Rosé, and Bling Sparkling wine in a can.
For the cider lovers, Wards offers a fresh, well-balanced, modern-style cider made from traditional estate-grown apples. Products include the authentic Wards lineup along with their calorie-reduced, tea-infused InfiniTea Ciders. Paying homage to popular cocktails, Mimosa and Negroni co-fermented ciders are recent additions.
The View Winery and Wards Cidery are open daily from 11:30 am to 5 pm for sales and tastings. Reservations are recommended. For estate tours and charcuterie picnics, reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. Go to TheViewWinery.com to reserve your historic experience.