VINEYARD.
est 2006
From the very beginning our farming practices have been organic. This means no man-made synthetic chemicals are used in our vineyards- including pesticides, fungicides or synthetic fertilizers. If any sprays are employed, they are plant based (sea-kelp for vine nutrition) or mineral based (sulphur & potassium bicarbonate [baking soda] for mildew prevention) in order to promote a harmonic balance between native plants, vine development, and the health of our living soils. We grow a total of 10 acres here, consisting of Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris.
Vine management is extremely important to us. We employ sophisticated canopy management techniques and vertical shoot positioning (VSP) ensuring maximum sunlight interception and the development of complex aromas and flavours in our grapes. Our sloped vineyards are equipped with drip irrigation systems, providing only the most conservative amounts of water at key points during the growing season.
Diverse wild plant species throughout the vineyard help to distract problematic insects from our grapes. Native and late-pollinating sage brush and rabbitbrush provide habitat for small mammals and birds- who in turn feed on insects, which promotes a natural balance within our vineyards. We are honoured to see snakes (sx̌ʷyups) and coyotes (sənk̓lip) living & hunting on this land, as well as the wild Saskatoon (siyaʔ) plants that grow alongside our vines.
WINES.
est 2012
Our wines are only made from organic, hand picked, Okanagan grapes. Our 10 acre estate production consists of early ripening grapes which are suited to our cooler east facing vineyards. We also purchase late ripening varieties such as Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from our friend and fellow organic grape farmer Gene located at Covert Farms- in Oliver BC. The extra sun exposure and heat available from sites further south in the Okanagan, reliably ripen fruit that would struggle if grown in our Summerland vineyards. These grapes help to round out our portfolio, giving us options in the cellar for our intended wine styles. We currently offer fresh sparkling options, alongside fruit-driven white wine, oak aged skin contact (orange) expressions, concentrated reds and even fortified wines.
Our wines are 100% vegan and are always produced in small batches. As of the 2019 vintage, all our wines are fermented using only naturally occurring yeast present on the skins of our grapes. These wines are natural, meaning they’re made without the use of any additions. If anything is ever added to our wine (such as a small amount of sulphur) we will always label this on our bottles. As sulphur is naturally occurring in all wine, we are mindful of these additions, in an effort to reduce sensitivities experienced by some consumers, and to keep our wines vibrant and alive.
WINERY.
Sage Hills is a small estate winery, producing only 1,500-2,200 cases of wine annually. Our tasting room (built in 2015) is an extension of our wine cellar, nestled between our vineyards. In 2021, we constructed a large outdoor patio space with 180° views of the Okanagan Valley to enjoy a glass (or bottle) with friends and family.
We are honoured to disclose that we are the largest generator of solar energy in the district of Summerland BC. We are also one of the first net zero wineries in the Okanagan Valley, producing more power for the Summerland district than we consume. We have embraced lighter weight glass bottles (2020 vintage onward), helping to reduce our carbon footprint, and are also certified Salmon Safe, meaning we are a business held responsible with what goes down our drains. We even use a biocycle water system for our tasting room washroom. We take pride in going above and beyond the organic requirements needed for certification, and are always looking for new ways to become even more environmentally friendly.
MEET THE TEAM.
Sage Hills is owned and operated by founder Rick Thrussell and his wife Toby; they are on site daily, overseeing operations and managing our outdoor patio.
The vineyard and winery is maintained and managed by Keenan Thrussell and his partner Zoë Jacoe, who are the respective winemaker, assistant winemaker and viticulturists.
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Rick & Toby Thrussell
FOUNDER/OWNERS
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Keenan Thrussell
WINEMAKER & VITICULTURIST
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Zoë Jacoe
ASSISTANT WINEMAKER & VITICULTURIST