Ezra Cipes recently became the CEO of Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna. And with his new position came a comprehensive vision of seven principles.
The principle of pioneership, however, has always been Summerhill’s trademark. Ever since Ezra’s father, Stephen Cipes, came to the Okanagan in the late 1980’s he had a clear vision that the valley had the potential to make world class wines.
Summerhill has accomplished a long list of firsts on the way to making this vision a reality. The Cipes family took an active role in the formation of BC’s VQA establishing quality standards for the wine industry. They were pioneers in making traditional method sparkling wine (Cipes Brut). Furthermore, they created the first destination tourist attraction winery with their Organic Bistro and their pyramid for aging their wine.
In 1988, Summerhill began a seven-year transition to organic status. By 2007, it released the first wines to bear the Canada Organic logo. “Organic has come to mean a lack of synthetic (pesticides, herbicides, tank and equipment cleaning products) and GMO’s and it also means transparency. It means that there is a certification that everything is traceable and trackable all the way to the vine that you planted,” Ezra Cipes explains.
Two years later, the winery mandated that all their independent grape suppliers transition to organic certification. Then in 2012, Summerhill Vineyard became the first in B.C. to gain the Demeter Biodynamic Status. “Biodynamic means all of that (being organic) and as well it views the farm as an ecosystem so it demands you to have a good soil management and nutrient recycling on your farm.”
These days, Ezra Cipes is focusing on the abundance principle. “By following our passion, loving what we do, cherishing each moment and guest who comes to our door, we will be successful on another level, on a holistic level. Not only will we be able to sustain ourselves and our employees, but we will also be able to benefit our community and the world around us,” he says.
Cipes anticipates the benefits of pursuing abundance. “We will create a new mode of being that is not greedy and selfish but putting yourself first, that’s open- hearted and community oriented and there for each other. That’s the one that’s on my mind these days, and trust that process and invest myself into it.”
I recently sampled a bottle of Summerhill Vineyard 2017 Gruner Veltliner ($28), a grape that originated in Austria but is now being planted by a few Okanagan wineries. This white wine displays a golden colour, similar to the autumn sunshine we’ve been enjoying. The aroma is also very fall-like, bursting with honey, citrus, and sandalwood.
On the palate the GV is very distinctive with more character than other Gruner Veltliner’s I’ve tasted from BC and from Austria. I enjoyed the rich taste of honey, ripe pear, quince, lemon, with nutmeg, a pinch of celery seed, and earthiness. Dry with a long and appealing finish. Match with Waldorf or Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad.
Available through the winery and select wine stores: www.summerhill.bc.ca
