Carrying on a tradition, returning to his roots...

It's fitting that Ross Hackworth would purchase a winery in Naramata, as he grew up here and his family ran an orchard in the area. Ross had always felt a connection to the land, but he started his adult life with an education in business, and based from Vancouver, worked as a sales executive for many years with a major pulp and paper company. Always interested in wine and attracted to the craft, Ross would spend his spare time making wine as a home winemaker. He would make enough wine to enjoy with family and friends, but with a full time career that involved much travel he did not get too serious about winemaking. On his journey to fulfilling his true calling as a winemaker, Ross' frequent business travel and entertaining with fine dining opportunities exposed him to wines from all over the world. He was able to visit great winemaking regions as well, which also helped him develop his palate.

Meanwhile, Alex and Kathleen Nichol opened the Naramata winery in 1993 after converting an orchard into a vineyard; in doing so they planted the first Syrah in the Okanagan: the first Syrah in Canada. While skeptics of the then-new industry thought they were crazy to plant Syrah on a cold climate site, the resulting wines likely inspired many others to plant what is now one of the Okanagan's important red varieties.

In 1999, Ross returned to Naramata to spend weekends helping his friend restore what is now the Heritage Inn and Spa. In the process, he reconnected with his roots and bought a home in Naramata. He was enjoying the wines made in the area, and thoroughly embraced the Okanagan, and Naramata. Finally, after making wine as a hobbyist for so long he decided to  take the steps to winery ownership. As he sought his own vineyard, the Nichols were preparing to retire. Serendipity. Ross and the Nichols worked out an agreement for Alex to mentor Ross for a couple of vintages, as Ross recognized that home winemaking and owning a winery are very different things! Ross was an apt student, for the quality of Nichol wines has continued to improve.

Together they worked on the 2003 to 2005 vintages. Ross also spent long hours with Kathleen Nichol and learned the specific viticulture requirements for managing this premier site. Transition to full owner operator was completed in February of 2006, and Ross’ true calling was realized. Now the legacy is carried on by Ross.

In the vintages since, Ross has remained true to the site and fundamental Nichol style. While investing in a new winery facility, equipment and plantings of Syrah, the focus has remained on the land and its unique cold climate location.

Photos: Lionel Trudel