One of Summerland’s innovative winery owners is being recognized for her contributions to the B.C. wine industry at the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival.
Christine Coletta, owner of Okanagan Crush Pad, was presented with the Founders Award at the festival by industry veteran Harry McWatters of ENCORE Vineyards and TIME Winery.
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“I was very touched to receive this award. It was emotional to see my name added to a trophy containing the names of people who have worked tirelessly to create a thriving B.C. wine industry over the past 30 years,” said Coletta.
This award is a further recognition for Coletta’s passion and leadership for the industry, working to advocate for and to improve the Canadian culinary scene.
Coletta started her career in hospitality as a server during her early years. As founding executive director for the B.C. Wine Institute, Coletta helped forge VQA as a standard to support the local wine industry and its various marketing activities. In addition, she co-founded Wines of Canada, the national wine standards arm. Under that umbrella, Coletta developed a roadshow that crossed Canada to encourage support for local food and wine.
After helping numerous B.C. wineries establish their businesses, Coletta launched her own wine, Haywire, and Canada’s first purpose-built custom crush winemaking facility at Crush Pad. Since 2011, Coletta has assistedmore than 15 B.C. wineries in their winemaking via Okanagan Crush Pad.
Coletta has also been on the leading edge of Canada’s organic farming and winemaking movement, establishing OCP as Canada’s top producer of wines made from organic grapes and without additives or manipulation.
Steve Kidd Senior reporter, Penticton Western News Email me or message me on Facebook Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
