The serene lakefront Echo Bay property is generational land purchased in 1967. What was once a hobby farm and family summer home has become a family-owned and operated business led by the Rufiange family. The eighteen-acre farm has an idyllic position along Skaha Lake’s waterfront and is the only winery in the region to do so. The surrounding, large rock formations moderate this unique location, creating a distinct micro-climate on the farm. As an ode to the family history, the winery facility built replicates the original hay barn that once sat in its place. In 2013, with no prior experience in the wine industry, the Rufiange family sought expertise from Richard Cleave, a pioneer viticulturist of the BC wine industry. With a thorough analysis of the land and under Dick’s guidance, they decided that the original red varieties of Bordeaux would be well suited to grow on the farm. As a throwback to old Bordeaux, they planted four acres of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carménère, Petite Verdot, and a small parcel of Sangiovese. Echo Bay’s South West facing slopes of silty loam with randomized gravels deposited from glacial meltwater allows exposure to the afternoon sun, which is ideal for these later ripening varieties to thrive.

With this nurturing way in the vineyard, the approach to winemaking is with a minimal mindset. The blooming biodiversity in the farm allows the native yeats to thrive, which is integral to producing wines with a sense of place. The variable of harvest conditions creates nuances thoughtfully expressed through the wines, with no two vintages alike. The flagship blend ‘Synoptic’ reveals itself as the Echo Bay team gathers to compose the components that best represent the season in the vineyard, with outstanding single-varietal wines allowed to shine in their own right. The wines are given time to age in ideal conditions, allowing them to harmonize and show their full potential upon release.