North on Seacrest Road from Hwy 97
North Oliver, BC
This winery operates from Covert Farms, a legendary fruit and vegetable producer just north of Oliver. A California tomato and onion grower named George Covert first developed the property half a century ago. Most of the vineyard he planted was pulled out in 1988 and remained fallow until his grandson, Gene, now the farm’s general manager, began planting wine grapes in 2005.
The vineyard is in transition from organic to biodynamic practices. The winery has taken over several farm buildings and much of the wine is available at Covert’s farm market. The winery’s two premium blends are released under the Amicitia label (Latin for friends). The red is merlot and syrah and the white is sauvignon blanc and sémillon, with a dash of viognier.
Winemaker Kirby Froese began his wine career as a sommelier before going on to work in Australia, Chile, California and for several Okanagan wineries.