Dunham & Froese Estate Winery

1959 George & Winifred Covert, Gene's grandparents were tired of the rat race in California and intrigued by a climate suitable to grow soft fruit and vegetables in Canada came to the valley on a weekend trip. During that trip in the dead of winter purchased the undeveloped mesa North of Oliver, which has now become Covert Farms. Covert Farms is located at the foot of McIntyre Bluff, the vertical cliffs rise 250 meters, towering over the farm and the narrow pass through which Highway 97 runs. The 700 acres that make up Covert Farms on which our winery is situated, sits on a Kame Terrace formed when an outwash stream or lake was trapped between the glacial ice and the confines of the mountain valley. This created a place for a large sediment deposit to accumulate. When the glacial ice melted, the terrace was left and it was comprised of well-bedded and sorted sand and gravel. Ideal for growing grapes. In 2005 we considered the soil type, angles of the sun and yearly temperatures recorded through Covert's farming practices for almost 50 years and we have planted the ideal varietals. This fall we are harvesting from grapes grown with Organic and Biodynamic practices from Gene and Shelly's property on Covert Farms. We currently have 15 acres planted along the ridge in the south east corner of the property. Planted are Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernat Franc, Petite Verdot, Malbec. And our whites are Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, Pinot Blanc and in the spring of 2009 we will add Roussanne. Come and visit us this summer and enjoy the spectacular views and relax on the patio. – Description from AlexJelena    (hide)