Brothers-in-law Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts initially thought they were going to grow grapes as a hobby when they bought land on the Naramata Bench in 1986. Ferguson, a chartered accountant, and Watts, a geologist, both had a passion for wine. And over the next five years, they accumulated more than 4.5 hectares for their personal use.

In a phone interview with the Straight, Ferguson said that when the provincial government changed regulations to allow small wineries to open, they jumped at the opportunity. “We thought what the heck, let’s go for it.”

Their first vintage was in 1992, with 44 cases of Pinot Noir; the tasting room opened in 1996. This year will mark Kettle Valley Winery’s 24th harvest, making it the oldest single-owner winery on the Naramata Bench.

It takes its name from the nearby, now-defunct Kettle Valley Railway, and many of the wine names recall its history. “Generally speaking, we’ve gotten better and better at what we’re doing,” Ferguson said. “I think every year, you learn something new.”

He pointed out that Watts has a tremendous understanding of earth science, which helps the duo decide which grapes should be planted in specific areas. “There are a lot of microclimates here in Naramata,” Ferguson revealed. “So you have to have a good understanding of what can truly ripen to make good wine from those grapes.”

As many Canadians worry about a warming planet, Ferguson said that the weather in the Naramata region actually became colder between 2000 and 2009. He emphasized that this has been helpful for growing grapes because they don’t fare well when temperatures exceed 32 ° C.

“If it’s slightly cooler in the summer, it’s actually better for the grapes,” he said.

On October 17, Kettle Valley Winery will feature a landscape photography workshop with Calgary photographer Scott Forsyth. Ferguson said at this event, there will be an all-day photography lesson for up to 10 people followed by dinner with wine.

Signature wine: “From a market perspective, the Pinot Gris is a wine that a lot of people know us for,” Ferguson said. “Then it would be our Old Main Red, which is a Bordeaux blend, or perhaps our Hayman Pinot Noir.”

Fun fact: Kettle Valley Winery has been a sponsor of the UBC Grand Prix cycling event since it began four years ago. This year, it takes place on July 14 at UBC’s Point Grey campus. “We’re really excited to be involved in that because that’s giving back to the athletic community,” Ferguson said. “There are some fabulous pro cyclists who ride in that, as well as youth events.”

Address: Kettle Valley Winery, 2988 Hayman Road, Naramata, B.C., 250-496-5898.