Time Estate Winery

It’s an observed phenomenon, by means of which we sense and record changes in the environment. A literal definition is elusive. It has been called an illusion, a dimension, a smooth-flowing continuum. It provided us our two-decade journey in the Sundial Vineyard on the acclaimed Black Sage Bench in the hot, dry climate of the South Okanagan. It is an essential ingredient of our wines – It’s TIME.

HARRY MCWATTERS.

FOUNDER • MAVERICK • TIMELESS WINE ADVOCATE

Harry McWatters is a leader in the thriving British Columbia wine industry in which he has been involved for over 40 years. He was founder of British Columbia’s first estate winery, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery in 1980 and founder of See Ya Later Ranch Estate Winery in 1995. In the spring of 2000, Sumac Ridge Estate Wine Group was sold to Vincor Canada and Harry continued as president of Sumac Ridge and See Ya Later Ranch as well as being a Vice-President of Vincor Canada. Harry “retired” as President of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery effective April 30, 2008. On May 1, 2008, Harry established Vintage Consulting Group Inc. and the Okanagan Wine Academy.

Harry started at Casabello Wines in 1968 heading up their sales department. In 1978, he was promoted to Director of Marketing and transferred to the Okanagan Valley. Harry has been a driving force in the development of British Columbia’s wine industry. In 1980, he led a group of wineries and local businesses to establish the Okanagan Wine Festival Society and acted as founding president. The society completed its 30th annual fall wine festival in 2010 and is listed as one of the “Top 100 Events in North America.” In 1990, he was appointed by the province of British Columbia to chair the newly formed British Columbia Wine Institute, a position which he held for five years and served as a Director for 17 years. An industry association that represents winery operators and grape growers, the institute was formed to help guide industry through the trade challenges presented by GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) and NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement).

Harry is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Institute. In addition, he is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Information Society. He is also a Director of the Canadian Vintners Association, founding Chairman of VQA Canada and is the founding Chairman of the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation.

Harry was also instrumental in founding VQA Canada, a trade association that spearheaded the development of national wine standards for Canadian vintners and served as the first Chairman. In June 2001, Harry was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Okanagan University College in recognition for the pivotal role he played in the development of both British Columbia’s and Canada’s wine industry.