Columbia Gardens Winery History

History of Columbia Gardens Winery

This family winery is owned and operated by the Bryden and Wallace families. We are a small production winery producing quality wines in the Kootenay region of British Columbia.

We are the first commercial sized vineyard and winery in the Kootenay region. The 50 acre property on which we are located has been in our family since the 1930's and has seen many changes over the years from vegetable farming to cattle and hay farming and now a vineyard...

I In the early 1990's, Lawrence Wallace began researching the local climate in the Columbia Gardens and then decided to start a small experimental plot of vines in 1995 . After several years of experimenting and research to determine the type of grape varieties suitable to this region's climate, with the help of many of our family members, friends and neighbors we proceeded to plant Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch. These varieties were planted over a several year period to bring the vineyard to the commercial sized operation that it is today.

We opened our gift shop and tasting bar on September 15, 2001 to an overwhelming crowd of support for our winery. Customers from our local communities and tourists from many locations throughout the world have kept the shelves of the wine shop virtually empty throughout every season of operation.

The maturing vines in the six acre vineyard will further increase production for the next few years to satisfy the demand for our quality wines.

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