Gray Monk

Little did the drivers and thousands of spectators of the early 1960's Okanagan Sports Car Hillclimbs know that it would later become the site of one of B.C.'s most successful and earliest family estate wineries.
Then along came the Heiss family, new to farming, but with a dream to grow grapes that made wine the equal of their European heritage. First, they had to grub out the old orchard trees, and then plant "Government Approved" Hybrid varietals - which never did achieve the objective. In frustration, they later re-grafted to European vinifera "noble" varietals, which few, at the time, believed would survive that far north - the 50th Parallel.
For them, it all started 30 years ago, and by the late `70's, George & Trudy Heiss were at the front of the line presenting their request to be allowed to make (and sell) wine from their own grapes. That began the "ESTATE WINERY" program - which many believe was the turning point for B.C. Wine.
20, 30 and 40 years! This is a family dynasty now into the 4th generation on the land, and the great grandchildren are soon ready to drive the tractor!

Gray Monk  in  Manitoba Gray Monk  in  Saskatchewan Gray Monk  in  Alberta