New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Haywire Winery

Join TOTA in welcoming Haywire Winery to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Program. 

Haywire Winery’s wine-making facility is located in Summerland, BC, and is home to four other wine labels that live under the umbrella of Okanagan Crush Pad. Haywire Winery has constructed a modern tasting lounge next to the crush pad and cellars, and they invite guests to join them year-round for a taste of their wines or to enjoy the view of Okanagan Lake and Switchback Organic Vineyard. 

At Haywire Winery, they use unique concrete tanks to create the wines they serve to guests. These tanks allow for a low-intervention method that gradually and consistently heats and cools the fermenting wine which positively impacts the aromatics and flavour of the finished product. Wine is not the only thing that Haywire Winery puts its care and attention into; Winemaker and Sustainability Officer Katrina D’Costa believes that the team is responsible for the stewardship of the land on which the vineyard and farms reside.

Sustainability Initiatives 

The heart of Haywire Winery’s philosophy is a commitment to socially responsible commitments that include investments in habitat restoration, conservation efforts, and implementing innovative environmental practices in their vineyards. The team at Haywire Winery honours the privilege they have living and working in the beautiful Thompson Okanagan region. However, they recognize that it is a temporary privilege to be stewards of the lands their vineyards and wineries exist on. 

Haywire is dedicated to developing and implementing industry-leading sustainable initiatives that capitalize on the region's immense potential while, at the same time, reaching their own business goals.

When asked about the Biosphere Commitment Program, Winemaker and Sustainability Officer Katrina D’Costa had this to say: “Biosphere has offered us an exceptional opportunity to explore innovative approaches to sustainability within our company while also strengthening our ties to the community. It has motivated us to increase our efforts in public engagement, aiming to boost awareness and education about sustainability practices. This initiative has not only enhanced our internal sustainability measures, but it has also encouraged us to play a more active role in promoting environmental responsibility among the broader public.”

The next project for Haywire Winery is to focus on Garnet Valley Ranch as a place for team and community members to connect to the local environment. The 320-acre property has been developed with organic and sustainable practices in mind and is now ready to host events that highlight the team's sustainability efforts while cultivating appreciation for the community’s shared surroundings.

Biosphere Commitment Program 

The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program offered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program prepares businesses for a globally recognized certification, to show alignment of business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification.

Organizations can create customized sustainability plans through the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform and access dedicated support from industry experts.

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program

Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation

Okanagan College breaks ground on new centre for food, wine, and tourism

Okanagan College’s Kelowna Campus is welcoming a new centre for food, wine, and tourism that will include modern teaching spaces, food labs, beverage research and development facilities, and common spaces.

The centre is the first of its kind, a collaboration will bring food, wine, and tourism programs to the campus first of its kind, a partnership between students and businesses in the food, beverage, hospitality and resort industries, and will address the labour shortages in the industry by expanding its culinary enrolment by more than 125 students per year, and hospitality and tourism enrolment by 450 students per year.

Plans unveiled for the new Centre for Food, Wine, and Tourism

Read the entire Okanagan College Press Release

New Policy Will Help BC Liquor Manufacturers Enhance Visitor Experiences

In response to industry feedback, the province has implemented a suite of policy changes to enhance visitor experiences at wineries and other liquor-manufacturing sites this summer.

Improvements to the customer experience include:

• Allowing people to sit and enjoy samples while on a guided tour

• Allowing packaged liquor sales in more places on site, including tours

• Allowing more flexibility around sampling so liquor manufacturers can customize sampling experiences for visitors; and

• Allowing manufacturers to sell and promote their products in picnic areas and host visitors more effectively.

Learn more from the official government announcement