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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1273655
Nk'Mip Cellars (the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America) and the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre, along with neigh- bouring Spirit Ridge Resort, have a similar chance to fill a need: Destination British Columbia statistics show that one in four visitors to our province seek authentic Indigenous experiences. Growing human capital Some vineyards display quaint render- ings or topographical maps of their land, showing the crucial aspects of the sun- facing slopes, elevations and geography that make their specific terroir special. In the history room where tours begin at Phantom Creek Estates, a massive bronze- slab sculpture, a cross-section of the Similkameen and South Okanagan valleys, highlights its prime Golden Mile Bench, Black Sage Bench and Similkameen Valley vineyards in glittering metal. "This is the famed Phantom Creek vine- yard," says CEO Santiago Cilley, pointing to the award-winning golden triangle of land, just one of the parcels that owner Bai has purchased since 2016. The massive winged Terra Natura sculptures fronting the win- ery are as symbolically monumental as Mission Hill's bell tower or Summerhill's pyramid were decades ago. "This is a place where it's all about the wine," Cilley says, walking us through the nearly-open restaurant and winery, with massive patios facing a natural amphi- theatre sloped toward achingly beautiful southwest vineyard views. Its opulence— dozens of large-volume French oak maturation foudres of the sort that most wineries can't afford or fill, a domed inner- sanctum tasting room glowing under the INTO THE BLUE Owned by former executive Paul Brunner (inset) and his family, 65-acre Blue Grouse Estate is one of Vancouver Island's oldest wineries. Late viticulturist John Harper planted its first vines in the 1980s 52 BCBUSINESS JULY/AUGUST 2020 JACQUELINE DOWNEY; DEREK FORD; JESSICA KLOSE