O'Rourke Family Estates: Canada's most exciting winery project
Lake Country’s O’Rourke Family Estates winery empire is growing at such a high velocity, it is hard to keep up with all of their news.
Their first winery, Peak Cellars has been thriving with a beautiful tasting room and Garden Bistro in operation. The second winery, O’Rourke Family Estates, is the beautiful behemoth that is under construction featuring thrilling wine caves, a restaurant and cooking school with more announcements on the way.
The current wine production at Peak Cellars is bursting at the seams during harvest right now, so construction has been fast tracked to have the new production facility completed and ready for action next harvest.
“Every year we see the quality of our vines mature," GM Heather Courtney says. "With gratitude for our vineyard location and the talents of our team, we get better and better every year. O’Rourke Family Estates is extremely proud to make wine from our 100% Lake Country estate vineyard. We strive to produce complex & bright wines that showcase the nuances of Lake Country.”
And then there are the wine caves. This extraordinary addition to the winery project is sending waves of excitement through the wine industry grapevine. Boasting approximately a half-kilometer of tunnels, in future, guests will be invited in to experience a thrilling wine tasting inside.
The granite that the caves were blasted into are an estimated 140 million years old. The stunning colouring of the rock formations tell a grand story of the Okanagan’s past, and set a perfect stage to build the winery of the future upon. This will be legendary.
The female power behind this winery brand is fabulous.
“I am proud to be a part of such a talented team of strong industry leading ladies,” Heather notes.
This year winemaker Adrian Baker moved into the role of director of winemaking and winemaker Stephanie Stanley has taken the lead position creating the aromatic wines for the Peak Cellars label. New to the team is celebrated winemaker Nikki Callaway. Nikki will take the lead managing operations for the new winemaking facility at the new winery, O’Rourke Family Estates, focussing on crafting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, her specialty. This power pair will be simultaneously working on the two labels under the O’Rourke project.
In other news, the family estate has also built its own accommodation for visitors to fully immerse into their magical wine world.
“We are days away from opening our log home guest house in the vineyard," Heather says. "We hope to be welcoming our first guests for the holidays. Luxury, comfort and exceptional & authentic vineyard experience awaits true wine enthusiasts".
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