OUR STORY
Rooted in the Thompson Valley. Grown with dedication. Crafted with passion.
Discover one of Kamloops' pioneering wineries in the Thompson Valley wine region of British Columbia.
Pioneering the Kamloops wine country since 2005.
A Story Rooted in the Land
Sagewood Winery began with a vision, a piece of raw land and a willingness to do things a little differently.
In 2005, we began establishing what would become the first commercial vineyard in the Kamloops area. Starting with undeveloped land, the vineyard was created from the ground up — clearing the land, installing trellising and drip irrigation, rooting grapevine cuttings and planting the vines.
Many of the original vines came from cuttings generously shared by several established vineyards in the Oliver area of the Okanagan, supplemented by selected purchased varieties.
Much of this early work was done personally, one vine at a time, with plenty of hard work, experimentation and determination.
Our first harvests were sold to two wineries in the Shuswap wine region. In 2013, we decided to take the next step and keep the grapes to produce our own wine. This became the first Sagewood Winery vintage.
In 2014, we opened our tasting room and welcomed our first visitors, beginning a new chapter in the story of Sagewood.
The Story Behind the Name
The name Sagewood has a rather simple, but very personal, beginning.
While clearing the abundant sagebrush from the property, the name came to mind while working on the tractor. With sagebrush all around and the family name being Wood, the combination of the two seemed a natural fit.
And so, Sagewood Winery was born.
Our logo has an equally interesting history. It is actually a piece of sagebrush trunk brought down by our first vineyard dog Kayla, who had adopted it as a favourite chewing stick!
I photographed the piece against the winter snow, and its distinctive natural shape eventually became the inspiration for the Sagewood logo.
It is a fitting symbol of the winery: something shaped by nature, rooted in the land and carrying a story of its own.
Our Vineyard
Today, approximately four acres are planted with 22 different grape varieties.
Over the years, we have continued to experiment with varieties suited to our unique growing conditions, building a diverse vineyard that allows us to produce an interesting range of wines.
The Thompson Valley presents its own challenges for grape growing. Our dry climate, abundant sunshine, warm summer days and cooler nights provide opportunities for producing distinctive fruit, while our winters can test even the hardiest vines.
Several particularly harsh winters over the years have affected some varieties, requiring us to adapt and occasionally supplement our own harvest with grapes sourced from the Okanagan.
Our vineyard remains very much a hands-on operation. Most of the pruning and much of the day-to-day vineyard work, including weed management, canopy management and general vine care, is personally undertaken, with the help of my son Nic.
We believe that understanding each vine and paying attention to the details throughout the growing season makes a difference in the quality of the finished wine.
Our Winemaking Philosophy
From the beginning, Sagewood has embraced diversity, experimentation and a respect for traditional winemaking.
With 22 grape varieties growing in the vineyard, we have had the opportunity to explore a wide range of wine styles, from crisp and aromatic whites to expressive rosés, distinctive reds and traditional bottle-fermented sparkling wines.
Our philosophy is straightforward: good wine begins with good fruit, and making wine should be as much about enjoyment and discovery as it is about technique.
We aim to produce wines with individual character, balance and personality, while making the most of what each vintage and grape variety has to offer.
Over the years, Sagewood wines have received more than 60 medals at wine competitions, an achievement that reflects years of dedication, learning and experimentation.
A Family Legacy Continues
Sagewood has always been a family undertaking, and today that tradition continues with the next generation.
Over the past three years, my son Nic has increasingly taken the lead in winemaking, developing his own approach and bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the winery.
He has already begun earning medals for his wines, continuing a tradition of recognition that has been built over many vintages.
It is particularly rewarding to see his interest develop into a genuine passion and to know that the knowledge and experience gained over the years are being carried forward.
What began in 2005 as a personal project to establish a vineyard on raw land has grown into something much more: a family winery with its own history, identity and place in the Kamloops wine community.
More Than Just Wine
Every bottle of Sagewood tells a little of our story.
From the first vines planted by hand to the wines being crafted today, we remain committed to producing wines that we are proud to share.
We invite you to explore our wines, learn a little about our history and discover what makes Sagewood Winery unique.
Sagewood Winery — Rooted in the land. Crafted by family. Shared with passion.
