Now that the 2020 Harvest is finished for many wineries, it is time for winemakers to start moving around. Today’s announcement comes from Harper’s Trail in Kamloops about their new winemaker, Sébastien Hotte, who joined at the start of the 2020 Harvest.
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[Kamloops, BC] Just in time for the 2020 Harvest, Sébastien Hotte joined the team at Harper’s Trail Winery to oversee the vineyards and winemaking, in collaboration with consultant Pascal Madevon. In 2021 wine lovers can expect to taste the first vintage of Harper’s Trail made by Sébastien Hotte.
About Sébastien Hotte
Sébastien is a graduate from Washington State University and a certified sommelier from the École Hôtelière des Laurentides. After a strong career in hospitality, participating in sommelier competitions and working the floor at many top restaurants in Canada (including the Wickaninnish Inn), it was the crafting of wine that drew him in.
Sébastien has built his business acumen working for small, award-winning winery teams in British Columbia including Anthony Buchanan Wines, Checkmate Winery, Ursa Major Wines, and Ricco Bambino. While working in these small cellars, Sébastien also created his own virtual winery brand, Sébastien Laurent.
A New Chapter at Harper’s Trail Winery
Now, as he has relocated to Kamloops, he is overseeing 100-acres of property and is focused on maintaining the award-winning portfolio at Harper’s Trail, Kamloops’ first winery.
Sébastien brings with him a low interventionist idealism and emphasis on crafting terroir driven wines. He will assist the winery in its journey to organic grape growing and farming with attention on soil health utilizing local biodiversity as well as continuing the Harper’s Trail way, of an environment that is herbicide and pesticide free.
If you visit Harper’s Trail you might see Sébastien driving a forklift or working in the vines with his winery dogs Willow and Oso.
About Harper’s Trail Winery
Harper’s Trail Estate Winery, named for the cattle drive “trail” of pioneer Thaddeus Harper, is the first estate winery from Kamloops. Tucked into the city outskirts on the bank of the South Thompson River, Ed and Vicki Collett’s Thadd Springs vineyard sits among rolling hills of sage and grass, home to bighorn sheep, bears, and myriad birds. The backdrop of limestone, hoodoos, and a natural spring in the vineyard contribute to the biodiversity of this rare place.
The wines reflect this emerging region with minerality and crisp acidity. Enjoy the winery’s current releases and taste the flavours that will soon be known as characteristic for the Kamloops region. For more information visit www.harperstrail.com.
