The Okanagan is known across B.C. as the place to go for the best wines, and a local winemaker has further solidified that claim.

Howard Soon of Cawston鈥檚 Vanessa Vineyard has been named 2021鈥檚 Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award winner as the winemaker that exemplifies leadership, mentorship and dedication to winemaking in Canada.

Named after late legendary Canadian winemaker Karl Kaiser, who himself was a visionary in viticulture and pioneer of modern Canadian winemaking, the award was created in 2018.

Soon has been in the wine industry for over four decades, earning many awards and accolades in his time, including being the first winemaker named to the Order of Canada.

鈥淗oward was specifically selected to lead Vanessa Vineyard as our master winemaker because of his expertise, vast experience and passion to elevate others through mentorship,鈥� owner Suki Sekhon said.

Soon said he never expected to get the reward, but that he鈥檚 grateful for the recognition it brings with it.

鈥淚鈥檓 quite humble about it all I think, I don鈥檛 like to boast,鈥� Soon said about the reward.

He added that he鈥檚 always aimed to be the best that he could and that the credit belongs with the growers, 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the ones on the front line; they grow the grapes that make the wine.鈥�

Soon believes that winemasters are similar to chefs and that knowing what to do with the grapes and what does and doesn鈥檛 work is a craft.

Vanessa Vineyard wines are available all throughout southwestern B.C., with over 25 locations in the Lower Mainland, Okanagan and Vancouver Island.

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