1218 27 Ave. S.
Creston, BC
The operators of a family orchard in Creston since 1984, Al and Marleen Hoag initially considered opening a cidery before realizing wine grapes would thrive in the East Kootenays. They began planting their vineyard in 2003, selling the orchard two years later and building a winery.
The tasting room and bistro are in a renovated 1940s Kootenay farmhouse, appointed with antiques. Skimmerhorn is a name from Creston history, believed to have been the surname of a 19th-century fugitive from American justice who became a respected citizen in Canada.
Too far from the Okanagan to attract a consulting winemaker, the Hoags found a creative solution; they arranged to have veteran New Zealand winemaker Mark Rattray (owner of Floating Mountain Winery in Waipara) spend his off-season making wines in Creston.