Winemaking, Evolved

Where wine culture can often be intimidating, pretentious and deeply rooted in structure and tradition, winemaking in B.C. takes on a Maritime style of hospitality, meaning it is sacred yet friendly, genuine and original. Travel through the Okanagan and you will find winemakers who are inviting, creative and extremely supportive of each other. Wine is a passion to be explored, not a rule to be followed.

Evolve Cellars stands behind this intrinsic ideology. With a focus on fresh, approachable wines, Christa-Lee McWatters Bond and winemaker Lawrence Buhler are driven by their Canadian pride in the Okanagan soil as an evolved landscape, ready and ripe to produce wines that will win over the world.

Although the business itself is youthful in its being, having opened in 2015, the McWatters family has been rooted in the Okanagan Valley since the beginning of the B.C. wine industry. These long-lived family ties to the land have proven advantageous: just one year after opening, Evolve Cellars has won numerous awards with its inaugural vintage—wines that are fruity, balanced, approachable and absolutely delicious.

And as if the wine’s bright personalities and the estate’s impressive backdrop of Okanagan Lake weren’t enough of a draw (it’s a popular venue for weddings, corporate events and yoga retreats), you also shoudn’t miss a chance to dine at “e”, their onsite restaurant run by chef Matt Faucher. Simple, fresh and local flavours are skillfully paired with each of their showcase wines.

Feel their energy on their stunning Instagram site (@evolvecellars) and #raiseaglassto Evolve Cellars! —Vitamin Daily

20623 McDouglad Road, Summerland, B.C., 778-516-7728, www.evolvecellars.com

Grape Minds is a multi-part summer travel series exploring British Columbia’s incredible array of wineries. This post is brought to you by Evolve Cellars.