Vincor's joint ventures

Wines & Vines,  May, 2005  by Michael Botner

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Opened in 2002, the stunning winery, combining state-of-the-art technology and native art, blends into the wild sage desert surroundings. Wine-maker Randy Picton said the winery's 21-acre vineyard started producing Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in 2004. It also sources grapes from the band-owned vineyard near Oliver and Vincor's leased site in Osoyoos. In the two and a half years since the launch of Nk'Mip, the winery has nearly reached its capacity of 15,000 cases, winning awards for its wines from the beginning.

"We have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the wines and the success of the Nk'Mip project," Triggs said. "It takes a high level of commitment and trust, because those within a First Nations community see themselves not simply as entrepreneurs but, first and foremost, as custodians of the land."

According to Triggs: "The measure of Vincor's joint ventures is how far we can move the envelope forward in learning more every year about working with the fruit. To do this, adopting a win-win philosophy and keeping our minds open and flexible are absolutely essential." A noble pursuit in the hard-nosed world of business.

(Michael Botner is a wine writer and consultant in the Okanagan Valley. He also owns Accounting for Taste bed and breakfast inn. Contact him through edit@winesandvines.com.)

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