Summerhill Estate Winery is located in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley,
internationally renowned as a premium fruit and wine growing area. The estate
comprises 24 hectares (60 acres) with 16 hectares (40 acres) planted to premium
grapes and the balance in a natural wooded state including a year-round spring.
Proprietor Stephen Cipes purchased the property in 1987 and began the process of
conversion to the current Certified Organic status (largest in B.C.), along with
the major replanting of much of the vineyard. Current varieties planted include
Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Ehrenfelser, Pinot Meunier and
Gewürztraminer.
The winery was opened in 1992 and expanded to its current facility in 1996.
Summerhill is British Columbia's largest producer of bottle fermented
"champagne method" sparkling wine, along with production of premium
red, white and dessert wines. Approximately 300 Tons of grapes are crushed per
year, producing 20,000 cases of wine. The winery has become a major attraction
for visitors from around the world and has several unique features. The Cipes
line of sparkling wines is produced without the use of added sulfites. All wines
are aged in an incredible 1/8th scale replica of the great Cheops pyramid
situated adjacent to the winery. The restored early settler's cabin and a
reproduction of a First Nations earth house give a glimpse into the Valley's
history. Pacific Northwest cuisine and wine by the glass can be enjoyed on the
veranda overlooking a spectacular 30km view of Lake Okanagan.
The Okanagan Valley has an ideal grape growing climate, with long, warm sunny days, cool evenings, favourable soils and few diseases or insect pests. This overall scenario, or terroir, helps create wines with unique and exciting flavours and aromas. Summerhill is proud to be a leader in the continued development of this region into a world-class wine producing area.
First Nations History
Since time beyond memory this land of the Okanagan Valley has been occupied by
the S1Y-L (Okanagan) people. The S1Y-L (Okanagan) an unconquered nation lived in
harmony with mother earth (tumtum). They gathered, hunted and fished for the
food provided, and which orginally was given for safe keeping to four chiefs. To
present time, chiefs of the Okanagan still make decisions for the Nation.
From all four directions of the world, all Nations are invited to experience this culture.
See, hear, touch, and taste a once upon a time rich culture.
Winter time was the time for people to gather at the winter house, which was a
permanent structure.
Be a guest at our (QASIPI) yesteryear village. An authentic reconstruction of
the Okanagan's sacred ancestral dwelling site within a hollow of the palm of
mother earth.
In
Spring, Summer, Fall a neatly made home was made of easily carried woven rush
mats. These could be quickly set up at hunting, gathering and fishing areas.
Today this recreation of the Okanagan lifestyle is initiated and managed by a
family of Okanagan descent, Delphine Derrickson (Armstrong) and Corinne Hall
Derrickson.
The Mallam Family Home.
The Okanagan is unusual in the settlement that took place at the turn of the
century. In many parts of Canada immigrants came with very little except their
hands and skills anda determination to make a new life in a new land. While the
Okanagan had its share of these determined but poor settlers, it also had an
astonishing number of people arriving with money and goods that predictably were
put into well-built homes and often luxurious homes. They were well educated and
took books, fine furnishings, china, etc. for granted. Among these settlers was
Henry Cecil Mallam. Born in ENgland, he came to Canada in 1903. His father, a
doctor, had ensured his son a good education , then sent him out to seek his
fortune in "the Colonies".
In 1904 he bought property at Okanagan Mission Kelowna from Gus Anderson who had
preempted it in the 1800's. On it was a fine new two
storey, hand hewn log house built in 1897 and an earlier settler's cabin.
Romance was waiting for Henry in the new world. He met and marries Giffortina
Thomson, daughter of Gifford R. Thomson. He and his bride moved into this
substantial home which was sited newer a spring that was easily channeled next
to the house. The spring ran year round and still does.
The Mallams were active in the community and like many settlers, Henry Mallam
joined the army and served in World War I.
The Mallam House was a busy place, with doctors spread scarcely over the area,
the women of the Mallam family were "on call" for midwife duties.
Peter Mallam, a descendant of the Mallam family recalls "there always
seemed to be babies in the house", obviously the young monsters to be, came
to the house which must have been a real haven at this anxious time.
The log house, with timbers steeped in history, has been carefully preserved,
not as an isolated house, but as a warm and welcoming home, with the smell of
baking biscuits, or simmering jams and chutneys.
A child's crib and a baby layette are waiting to welcome the next new life. The
dressing table with its hatboxes nearby is ready for the next outing for the
ladies of the house. No lady was considered "dressed" without her hat!
Books abound. For children, and for consulting. The family medicine book was frequently consulted to diagnose rashes that appeared, as were books on agriculture and farming.
A family like the Mallams had to be self-sufficient.
We welcome you to their world.
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