Sandhill Wins Winery of the Year Award
We’ve done it again! Another Okanagan winery has raked in the coveted title of Winery of the Year at the Canadian Wine Awards for 2009. Wine Access, the national wine magazine that administers the Canadian Wine Awards, selected Sandhill as ‘Winery of the Year’ from among 157 wineries across the country and over 1000 wines tasted in the 9th annual Canadian Wine Awards.
Howard Soon smiles for the camera with what will soon become delicious wine.
Since the competition’s inception in 2001, Okanagan wineries have dominated the top title. We couldn’t be more proud! Master Winemaker at Sandhill, Howard Soon, is humble in his statement about this achievement, saying: “We’re grateful for the support of our outstanding grape growers who have embraced Sandhill’s single vineyard philosophy and played a key role in our success.”
Lots of restaurants and wine boutiques carry these wines, but you might want to drop by the winery at 1125 Richter St., where the tasting room is open to visitors year round. Who knows, you might even get to meet the talented team of winemakers that create Sandhill, Peller Estates, and Calona Artist Series wines – the three labels under the umbrella of Vineyard Estates at Calona Winery. Wineshop hours until December: open 7 days a week, 9 am to 6 pm daily.
Howard Soon, Katie Dickieson, and Stephanie Leinemann make up the team of winemakers at this winery, which is the oldest winery in BC. Each oversees their own brand of wines: Howard’s baby is Sandhill; Katie’s is Calona Artist Series; and Stephanie’s is the Peller Estates brand. Each has its own personality and excels with difference varietals. Overall, the wines are wonderful food-friendly wines with big character.
At the winery, you’ll see many vintage photographs and pieces of Calona’s fascinating history (yes, the name is intended to be a play on the spelling of Kelowna). It’s a great spot to visit while you are out and about downtown!
Congratulations, Sandhill, on the remarkable win. This is just another example of how our local wineries make our residents very proud!