Sandhill Wines announces that they hired a new winemaker. Please welcome Stephanie Van Dyk. She is not new to BC, having been making wines at Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Kalala Organic Estate Winery, and more in the Okanagan. I am looking forward to trying her wines from the upcoming 2022 vintage, next year. Here is the press release from Sandhill Wines.
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KELOWNA, BC, August 23, 2022 – Sandhill Wines announced today the appointment of Stephanie Van Dyk as lead winemaker, effective August 2022. With a Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture from Brock University and additional winemaking certifications from Okanagan College, Van Dyk brings over 17 years of experience to this position, countless awards and was most recently winemaker for Good Natured Wine, a new and emerging VQA brand. Van Dyk takes over from Sandy Leier and continues to carry forward Sandhill’s legacy of producing truly distinct, terroir-driven wines.
Van Dyk has previously worked at a number of renowned wineries throughout the Okanagan including Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Township 7 Winery, Meadow Vista Honey Wines and Kalala Organic Estate Winery. In 2017, Van Dyk joined Andrew Peller Ltd. to work in collaboration with numerous award-winning winemakers on their portfolio of wines, in particular Sandhill Wines and Gray Monk Estate Winery.
Van Dyk’s wines have received a number of awards and accolades over the years, including over 20 gold and platinum awards for Good Natured Wines within the first six months of its launching. Among the awards are a Best of Class at the LA International Wine Competition for the 2020 Good Natured Crisp Chardonnay and a Double Gold Medal at the All Canadian Wine Championships for the 2020 Balanced Red.
“It’s my dream to be taking on the winemaker position at Sandhill and to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the best growers and in some of the best vineyards in the region,” says Van Dyk. “I look forward to continuing the incredible legacy of producing these award-winning BC VQA wines.”
Originally hailing from Calgary, Van Dyk has lived in the Okanagan for 25 years with her family, making the most of the Okanagan lifestyle in her free time. She is a lover of the breathtaking scenery as well as the incredible bounty of local food and wine the area has to offer.
To learn more, visit www.sandhillwines.ca and follow the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
About Sandhill Wines: Since 1997, Sandhill has been a prominent player in the BC wine industry. Its wines are made from one of seven BC vineyards, each with its own unique characteristics and grower techniques, contributing to a truly distinct taste and aroma. With over 20 varietals including Rosé and unique Italian varietals such as Barbera and Sangiovese, Sandhill offers wine drinkers a full experience with a range of options to choose from. Sandhill’s rich history, experienced winemaking and award-winning wines can be experienced at its downtown Urban Winery in Kelowna. The Sandhill portfolio of wines is available at the Winery, in select retail outlets, and at restaurants across Canada. BC customers can also purchase Sandhill wines online at www.sandhillwines.ca. For further information about the wines and Stephanie Van Dyk, visit www.sandhillwines.ca.
