We have a true passion for making this a heritage winery as we went from "corporate suits" to "gumboots". Our vision is to be island grown only and growing our wine region.
Our Team:
Mark Holford, Winemaker/Owner
Mark graduated from University of Waterloo with a Chemical Engineering degree. Then proceeded to work in the oil industry, While working, Mark decided to pursue his degree further and continued with the Masters Degree at the University of Calgary for environmental engineering. His true dream was to own his own winery and develop for generations to come. Mark uses both his background for the winery and also continues to do part time environmental consulting. Now he has 15 years of wine making under his belt and still after all the years is the most awarded winemaker in our region.
Linda Holford, Owner/President
Worked in the oil industry for 15 years as a pipeline technologist working with projects both construction and maintenance. it wasn't something that was a dream just a good opportunity. After having children, kept volunteering on committees such as the town planning council, president of PAC primary schools and starting the winery as the sole proprietorship. Took this on as the other owner still had a full time job and then transitioned to a larger corporation. Now we have 15 years under our belt and it feels like natural to have done this.
Robin Holford, daughter
Started the wine business when she was 8 and was a big part in helping out when she could including bottling at a young age. She worked with us alongside and now has an undergraduate degree from Brock University. She helped us with harvest in 2019 and 2020 harvest. She has created 2 of her own wines to taste against her dad’s vision.
Katherine Holford, daughter
Started the wine business when she was 6 and was also a big part in helping out when she could, even bottling at 6. She has been around when she can but has dreams outside of the winery. She now has an undergraduate degree from Royal Roads and we are very fortunate to have her doing our sales and marketing.
Barb and Larry Guenette, Tasting Room Team
Barb and Larry have joined us now for many years to share our story with you.from their perspective. They feel part of the family. They love to travel and have their own favourite wine destinations. We are honored that they chose to be a part of our team. the have worked in many aspects of the wine industry from tasting to touring. They love meeting people and we always hear great laughter coming from our tasting room when they are here. Looking forward to another great year together.
Sarah Yates,
Farmer's Market Vancouver
Sarah has been a part of our team for a long time as she is the daughter of one of our long term leased vineyards. So she knows our story, has tended to the vines and even bottled. She has the unique spanish grapes that showcase our blends. Sarah has left the island to pursue her dreams in Vancouver and we are very fortunate to have her at the markets for us. She is a great team player and is full of enthusiasm and cheer. Come visit the markets in the Vancouver Area and say hello.
Volunteers
We have so many people helping us over the years through wwoofing and workaway. We also have so many around our community giving us a hand. We love living in this small farming communiity and want to thank everyone who has passed our way to help us, to support us and also to tolerate some of the challenges of farming. We want to thank friends, family, helpers and neighbors on our journey.