Crowsnest Vineyard began picking grapes in their vineyard on September 23.
“I didn’t expect it this early,” Sacha Heinecke said of the harvest. “I’ll be happy if we get the picking done before the wine festival.”
Heinecke said all varieties are “looking very good.”
The winery, which is the second oldest in the Similkameen, has found a comfortable production niche at approximately 3,500 cases per year.
“That seems to be the perfect amount for us,” said co owner Sacha Heinecke, although the winery did once reach a production high of 6,300 cases.
Heinecke said that 40 per cent of the winery’s production is sold through the wine shop. The remainder is distributed through the Lower Mainland, Island and Interior of B.C. through three representatives.
Crowsnest grows a number of varietals - Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
The family run business contains a winery, vineyard, bed and breakfast, and a restaurant.
Crowsnest will be featuring a “ten kilometre dinner” to kick off the fall Wine Festival, during the weekend of October 5- 6.
This years wine festival runs from October 4 -14.