Huge vineyard land deal in South Okanagan

OLIVER – A South Okanagan mega-winery has acquired a new property in the Golden Mile Bench.

Phantom Creek Estates Winery recently acquired a 63-acre vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench near Oliver, according to the blog Anthony Gismondi on Wine.

Phantom Creek now has nearly 175 acres of vineyards with the purchase, which closed Nov. 1, Gismondi says in the blog.

The vineyard, which was originally planted by Chris and Betty Jentsch, currently grows cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec along with some viognier and syrah. They will continue to farm three estate vineyards in the Oliver area.

“We are delighted to find a buyer that is committed to continuing the tradition of excellence as the pursuit of enhancing this world-class vineyard, viticulturist and owner Chris Jentsch said in the blog.

Phantom Creek Estates is currently building a new winery on its Sundial property, at an estimated cost of $100 million. It's expected to open in the spring of 2019. The company's long term plans include acquisition of its own vineyard acreage, as it specializes in organic and biodynamic viticulture.


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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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