Sustainable farming for generations to come

Lionel Trudel photo

When Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie purchased a previously undiscovered 320 acres tucked away in the hills behind Summerland, they were struck by its natural beauty. And while the land that’s now become Garnet Valley Ranch suited their purpose of establishing a unique, high-altitude vineyard, they knew from the beginning that they had to keep the scenic gem as much as possible in its natural state.

“From day one we’ve farmed this property respectfully,” says Coletta. “We haven’t changed the landscape or added infrastructure that can’t be undone. It’s one thing to convert an apple orchard to a vineyard. But once you start building on ALR [Agricultural Land Reserve] land, it changes it forever.”

The winery owner recalls famed enologist Alberto Antonini “pointedly” telling her that the project would be “30 to 40 years in the making—and by then you won’t be here.”

“It’s for the future, for the next generation to carry on the work we’ve started,” Coletta says. “So it’s really important for us that we leave the site in a place where it’s as farmable as possible.”

To that end, only a portion of Garnet Valley Ranch (about 20 per cent, all of it certified organic) is planted to vines. Some is given over to a variety of food crops, as well as the possibility of livestock in the future “to create balance and biodiversity,” but most of the land remains in its natural state.

The Outlook Tasting Room at Garnet Valley Ranch. Lionel Trudel photo

This past year Coletta and Lornie have replanted about 10 acres of vines lost to the “big freeze” of 2024 and pulled up another five acres to replant and focus more closely on varieties such as Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir. As protection against importing diseases such as crown gall, the winery uses only its own rooted plants.

Aside from vines, earlier this year they also opted to plant apple trees and berry plants, which will support the launch of Orchard + Field, an apple-based low-alcohol beverage. At 5% ABV and lower sugar content, the crisp sparkler “makes a refreshing, quite ‘grippy’ drink on its own, or over ice with soda,” says Coletta. (Find it soon, in a lightweight, screw-top, resealable, 750 mL bottle, at Save On Foods and at better B.C. Lower Mainland wine retailers.)

While it may be secluded, Garnet Valley Ranch (along with neighbouring Solvero Winery) is only a few minutes’ drive from downtown Summerland, with visitors by appointment very much welcomed.

Breathtakingly beautiful, surrounded by wide open spaces, Garnet Valley Ranch is home to the small Outlook tasting room with its stunningly picturesque patio, as well as a newly added small pavilion for larger groups of up to 100 people.

Along with savouring a curated flight of six wines from the Garnet Valley and Free Form portfolios, guests also learn details about the project’s impressive sustainable initiatives. Most choose to linger longer over a favourite glass, perhaps with a handcrafted charcuterie board, to drink in the wilderness beauty.

“Being able to showcase the property is extremely rewarding,” says Coletta. “Garnet Valley Ranch, truly, is a one of a kind.”

Vitis Magazine

Vitis is is an indispensable seasonal guide for vintners, sommeliers and weekend imbibers alike that is dedicated to British Columbia’s rapidly evolving wine culture.