District Wine Village is not just another winemaking venture. It is an innovative, groundbreaking concept that diverges from the traditional model of individual wineries.
By uniting multiple wine producers within a singular destination, it fosters a collaborative approach to the winery experience. This pioneering concept creates an unparalleled opportunity for small-scale winemakers within a community-focused framework, promising a unique and exciting journey for all involved.
Comprising 16 equally sized surrounding buildings, the Village is not just about wine. It offers public tasting spaces and adaptable back-of-house areas for wine production, brewing, or distilling activities.
The design layout encourages interaction and nurtures a sense of community, with each building overlooking the central plaza and boasting natural landscaping, patios, and water features. It is a place where everyone is welcome, and the spirit of community thrives.
At the core of District Wine Village lies an amphitheatre with a capacity of 610 people, serving as a central point for community gatherings and events.
This plaza showcases a distinct design, featuring a pinwheel-shaped canvas canopy for seasonal shelter and a series of cross-laminated timber columns.
Entertainment Centre
The Village plays host to a myriad of events throughout the year, from star-studded concerts by artists such as Colin James, The Sheepdogs, and Aaron Pritchett to wine and culinary demonstrations, farmers’ markets, and even winter ice skating.
The Duo Behind District
The brainchild of long-standing friends and neighbours Max Brock and Matt Kenyon, District Wine Village, was inspired by the concept of winery clusters in other prominent wine regions. Their vision expanded to include a craft brewery and a restaurant on-site.
Despite Max’s passing before the groundbreaking, the project endured in his honour, with industry veteran Michael Daley assuming the role of Director of Operations to oversee its fruition.
Wineries within the Village collaboratively utilize state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, elevating the production of high-quality VQA wines. It is a place where local craftsmanship is not just celebrated, but also a source of pride for everyone in the community.
Enduring Partnership
Sited on a 10-acre property leased from the Osoyoos Indian Band, the project is a testament to Matt Kenyon’s enduring partnership with Chief Clarence Louie, the first elected Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band and member of the Order of British Columbia, the Order of Canada, and who consistently emphasized economic development as a means to improve his people’s standard of living.
District Wine Village stands as a trailblazing concept in Canada, offering a collaborative and community-focused approach to winemaking. It presents a distinctive opportunity for small-scale winemakers (listed below) and a diverse tasting experience for visitors, all set within a pedestrian-friendly and inclusive environment.
- Winemaker’s CUT
- One Faith Vineyards
- Gneiss Wines
- JoiRyde Winery
- Foolish Wine
- Valley Commons
- Nk’Mip Cellars
- Apricus Cellars
- TIME Family of Wines
- Silhouette
- Canter Cellars
- Yellow Dog Spirits
- Neighbourhood Brewing
Read the original version of this story in the Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine’s flippable version below!
https://issuu.com/folio.yvr/docs/issue_27_august_2024_folioyvr
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
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