Nichol Vineyard

Nichol Vineyard
1285 Smethurst Rd
Naramata, British Columbia
Canada V0H 1N0
Phone: (250) 496-5962
http://www.nicholvineyard.com

Email: [email protected]

Vineyards: 3 hectares
Production: 2,600 cases

Hours of Operation: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, May until approx. labour day; during wine festivals; and by appointment.


Wine has always played a large part in Ross Hackworth's life. His earliest summer memories are of times spent on outings into Napa-St. Helena wine country. These family outings brought him to the Okanagan Valley. While visiting relatives there, he and his family fell in love with the area and were soon part of the Naramata Bench.

Ross worked on the family orchard until graduation, then went to business school and spent the next 16 years in international business. It was during his travels that his passion for the fine wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Alsace regions began to grow.

In 2001, Ross began the transition back to the Bench and the rest, as they say, is history. Through a fortuitous meeting, Ross became aware that Nichol Vineyard owners, Alex and Kathleen Nichol, might be interested in selling their estate winery. In 2004, an agreement was reached to transition the operation and ownership of the winery. During the next couple of years, Ross expanded his knowledge of wine making under the watchful eye of Alex Nichol. Together they worked on the 2003 to 2005 vintages. Ross also spent long hours with Kathleen Nichol and learned the specific viticulture requirements for managing a premier site. Transition to full owner operator was completed in February of 2006.

The site's 5.5 acres were originally planted in 1990 and became home to the first plantings of Syrah and St. Laurent in Canada. Syrah, originating in the Rhône Valley, had become a popular variety in Australia, California, and Washington. St. Laurent was still a rare variety and almost exclusive to Central Europe, specifically Austria and the Czech Republic.

The Syrah has since garnered numerous awards and accolades at the All Canadian Wine Competition, Northwest Wine Summit, and the Canadian Wine Awards and is frequently featured in Ontario's prestigious Classics Catalogue. St. Laurent, due to its limited quantity and great popularity, is available only by preferred mailing list. The estate also produces Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and a Pinot Gris that is widely known for its full body and brilliant salmon colour. Plans for the winery include a Pinot Grigio and Gewurztraminer from a premier high altitude site.

Ross Hackworth knows that a winemaker merely assists the wine in expressing its natural traits and the unique characteristics of each growing season. He also believes in giving his wines an extra year to age. Nichol Vineyard is now releasing the 2006 reds.

From its inception to present day, Nichol Vineyard continues the hand crafted tradition of making premium, limited vintage wines. Ross's focus is to continue as a small estate winery, striving to grow world-class wines.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicholvineyard

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nichol-Vineyard-123229967693174

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholvineyard

Distribution: Winery, mailing list clients, select winestores and restaurants in British Columbia and AB

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