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Oliver grape grower awarded 2020 Viticulturist of the Year by the BC Grape Growers Association

Grape grower wins award

A long-time Okanagan grape grower was recently honoured for cultivating wine grapes that have created award-winning wines.

Hans Buchler, who has been producing Okanagan grapes for 40 years, has been named 2020 Viticulturist of the Year by the BC Grape Growers Association (BCGA).

Running the 20-acre Park Hill Vineyard in a small valley north of Oliver, Buchler manages Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Gewürztraminer, Marechal Foch, Pinot Noir and Riesling grapes, among others with an organic method.

“When we began to develop the vineyard in the 1980s, we knew it would be difficult,” Buchler said in a press release. “We knew the site was on the edge of the growing region and had limited water. We also knew the eco system in this difficult growing location was going to give us frost and other unique challenges so we had to be innovative and resourceful to be successful.”

Buchler sells all of his grapes to Summerhill Pyramid Winery, a multi award-winning Kelowna winery that produces more than 40 varieties of organic wine.

“Skilled and high-quality growers like Hans are critical to the on-going success and evolution of our industry,” said John Bayley, president of the BCGA and viticulturist for Blasted Church Vineyards.

“We have been growing wine grapes in BC for over 60 years and earning more honours, nationally and internationally, for the wines created from BC grapes. Over 90% of wine’s quality comes from the grape and we are very grateful to the excellence of grape growers like Hans.”

BC grape growers nominate their peers for the Viticulturist of the Year honour. Then a committee of growers evaluates the nominees by visiting their vineyards to look at management practices, environmental stewardship, innovation and other factors.

The award carries a $2,000 bursary for viticulture education. This is the second year the honour has been presented.

Karnail Singh Sidhu, viticulturist at Kalala Estate winery and the inaugural Viticulturist of the Year in 2019, said he came to know Hans many years ago and turned to the veteran grower to learn organic farming techniques.

“Hans has volunteered countless hours to grow the industry and has given a great deal of personal time to help grape growers become stronger producers.”



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