Kelowna orchard wants apple vodka distillery

KELOWNA – Owners of a Southeast Kelowna apple orchard have been given the green light to seek approval from the Agricultural Land Commission to construct an apple vodka distillery and tasting room.

The application was made by Blair and Kelly Wilson of Wallace Hill Rd. The subject property is a 20.3 acre apple orchard with horse paddocks, RV and tent camping.

A distillery is considered a ‘non-farm use’ under ALC regulations, but council supported the plan Monday, saying it will be good for agri-tourism.

Coun. Mohini Singh admitted she has never heard of apple vodka but called it a “value-added product.”

“I think this will be good for the industry,” she says. “I support this.”

The still, which will come from Germany, will be 3.5 m tall and sit behind a glass wall next to the tasting room.

“It sounds like an exciting business opportunity and a great place for tourists to visit as well,” says Coun. Gail Given.

The proposal has yet to be approved by the ALC.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.