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The strength of 8th Generation…
understanding that the foundation of a wonderful wine starts in the vineyard.
Each vintage is accepted on its own unique merits.
Each vine must be individually pruned and trained throughout the year.
Each variety contains a unique set of challenges, characteristics and conditions (in vineyard & cellar).
BUT, working the vineyards together with nature is the only way to achieve world-class quality.
From terroir to table, our focus is always on finding the optimal, individual setting to let each and every one of our grapes shine.
Throughout the seasons we diligently tend to the land with insightful vineyard practices that optimize grape quality and varietal character. Pruning, trellising, tucking, canopy management, hand harvesting – all of it is hard, meticulous work – a true labour of love done by Bernd & Stefanie.
When harvest time arrives, our goal is to intervene as little as possible with the grapes as they convert into becoming fine wines. The result is always gratifying – wines that we are genuinely proud to have handcrafted. Wines that honour our family’s heritage.
The strength of 8th Generation winemaking… blends instinct, courage and trust in nature.
It calls for hands-on effort, patience, and lots of quick decision-making, with outcomes that unfold over months or even years. While it is indeed a philosophy, it is also about the winemaker’s relentless quest for perfection. Bernd Schales, owner and 8th generation winemaker, exemplifies this pursuit— his commitment to uncompromising quality has ensured consistently exceptional wines since the winery opened its doors in Canada in 2007.
We handle our grapes and fermenting must with utmost care during the entire vinification.
All wines are produced using traditional fermentation methods, with temperature regulation and daily oversight. White and rosé wines are vinified in stainless steel tanks, while all red wines mature solely in French oak barriques. We believe our experience speaks for itself through the wines.
SUMMERLAND LAKEFRONT/ TROUT CREEK
7 acres in
Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah &
Pinot Meunier
The story of Trout Creek delta starts with the onset of this most recent deglaciation in southern BC at the end of the last ice age. The glacier filled the valley to an elevation of some 1200m above sea level (or about 850m above the current lake level). The soil that exists on the surface of the delta today comes from material deposited by overbank flooding and channel migration of Trout Creek that has occurred over the last seven or eight thousand years. Before dams were in place on Okanagan Lake and upper Trout Creek, the delta was subject to flooding each year. The vineyard location shows evidence of a periodic high-water table and the soils are composed of stratified silt and sand over gravel. The vineyard is located 350m off Okanagan Lake shore and during high Spring water tables, the vines dip the roots right into it. An important climatic consideration is the temperature moderating influence of Okanagan Lake which results in longer frost-free periods in Trout Creek than in the higher elevations.
Thanks to the close proximity to the lake, all vines at our Summerland Estate Vineyard successfully endured the severe winter conditions of 2024. The vineyard recovered well, resulting in an abundant 2025 harvest.