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Geography: The southern Okanagan Valley in the area between Oliver and the border is classified as part of the Sonora Desert, which runs south to the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.

Must: Unfermented grape pulp or juice.*

Hybrid: Grape varieties developed, typically by crossing European varieties with native North American varieties. The plant breeder’s objectives include developing varieties that ripen early, resist disease or are winter-hardy.*

History: In 1859, Oblate missionary Father Charles Pandosy planted the first vineyard at the Oblate Mission near present-day Kelowna.

VQA: VQA=100% BC - All British Columbia wines bearing the VQA symbol must be made from 100% BC grown grapes. The wines are screened by a professional tasting panel and wines found faulty cannot be sold as VQA wines.

*Schreiner, John - British Columbia Wine Country, Whitecap Books Ltd., 2003

 
 
  September 23, 2009

Wine Industry Pioneer Dick Stewart to Launch 45th Harvest at Quails’ Gate Winery

September 23, 2009

Media Photo Opportunity

Wine Industry Pioneer Dick Stewart to Launch 45th Harvest at Quails’ Gate Winery

Kelowna, BC, September 23, 2009 – On Thursday, September 24, at 10:00 a.m. Quails’ Gate Founder and Proprietor Richard (Dick) Stewart will pick the first grapes to commemorate the forty-fifth harvest and twentieth vintage at Quails’ Gate Winery

For nearly half a decade Dick, has welcomed warm Autumn days with the anticipation of the grape harvest. On September 24th, the bright 84 year old visionary who studied both agriculture and business at The University of British Columbia, will join Quails’ Gate winemaker Grant Stanley in the vineyards to taste the promise of a new vintage of pinot noir in preparation for harvest.

He reflects on the evolution of the wine business. “I’ve been a student of the land all my life, and I am still fascinated by the privilege of shaping each vintage of wine throughout the growing season – it’s amazing what knowledge and Mother Nature can do,” says Stewart. “The growing conditions in the Okanagan are perfect. It’s very gratifying to see what the wine industry has become today in the Valley, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Although 2009 will be the twentieth vintage for Quails’ Gate, Dick Stewart is marking his fiftieth vintage in the BC wine industry as he spent his early years helping develop Calona Wines. “A lot has changed since those early days,” explains Stewart, “We all rallied behind those with the knowledge sharing insight and information and observations along with the odd bottle of wine too I might add! Today viticulture and winemaking practices are an art form and a true science. The harvest marks the middle not the beginning of their work. It’s a critical time and I really enjoy engaging with Grant who is in my estimation one of the best pinot noir and chardonnay winemakers in the world. ”

“The harvest is still my favorite time of year,” says Stewart. “It’s a time when everyone focuses on getting the grapes off at the right time in the right weather and in the best possible condition. I feel very lucky to have been a part of the vast changes that have taken place in the Valley’s agricultural sector, and I take great pride and comfort in knowing that the legacy of my father – who began to farm in the Okanagan in 1908 - will continue through my children and grandchildren. I’m immensely grateful.”


Quails’ Gate Winery 2009 Harvest Fast Facts:

• On Thursday, September 24th Quails’ Gate founder and proprietor Richard Stewart will pick the first Pinot Noir grapes to commemorate Quails’ Gate’s forty-fifth harvest and twentieth vintage

• On Monday, September 28th a complement of thirty vineyards workers will descend on the Quails’ Gate vineyard for picking.

• Quails’ Gate harvest is managed cooperatively by Winemaker Grant Stanley and Vineyard Manager Jozsef Breti with a goal of 700 tons of vitis vinifera grapes including: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marechal Foch, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Optima.

• Quails’ Gate’s cellar team includes a crew of ten who will work round the clock from September 24th to late October to press, ferment and rack more than 450,000 litres of wine representing nearly 50,000 cases of wine for the 2009 vintage.

• Quails’ Gate has employed a second press in the cellars this season to enhance the efficiency of its crush capacity and to ensure that all the freshly picked fruit entering the cellar doors is handled immediately to capture all the fruit flavours.

• “The warm summer conditions that are now carrying into September have created the optimal growing conditions for the grapes at Quails’ Gate,” comment Winemaker Grant Stanley. “I expect this will be some of the ripest fruit ever.”


Quails’ Gate Estate Winery is nestled in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Our 125-acre Estate vineyard, located on the shores of Lake Okanagan, is owned and operated by the Stewart Family, pioneering horticulturists in the Okanagan for 100 years. We invite you to visit us daily, year round in the Wineshop and Old Vines Restaurant for a unique taste of the Okanagan. www.quailsgate.com

For additional media information, please contact:
Angela McManus | Director of Marketing
amcmanus@quailsgate.com | 250-769-4451 ext. 230

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