Alishan Driediger - Wine Grower

While travelling in the south of France in her early 20’s, Alishan took a course in the language, wine and food of the region and a dream was sparked to one day live and work immersed in food and wine culture.

Her interest in food and wine led her to earn a Professional Culinary Diploma and study in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at UBC as well as earning a certificate in winemaking from Guelph University. Growing grapes and making wine for Little Farm Winery, Alishan has since furthered her winemaking education by taking the University of California – Davis’ winemaking program. She also has  completed the Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

From starting off working in the cellar, vineyard and cellar door in the wine industry 14 years ago through opening a catering company and then creating the well-loved Okanagan Grocery bakery in Kelowna, all the way back around to the wine industry again, Alishan’s life and career have indeed been immersed in food and wine. When the opportunity to create their own version of the wine dream in the Similkameen Valley presented itself in 2008, she jumped right in.

Now, after many years of working in food and wine, Alishan’s passion is sparked by the long history of winemaking and making an end product that speaks of where and how it was grown. She believes the best way to do this is with a respect for the natural processes, using old-school techniques and traditions, and hard work and dedication in growing the highest quality grapes with sustainable farming methods.

Alishan wants to make wine in the spirit of looking after their plot of earth, wine that tastes and speaks of where it’s come from, that brings nourishment and pleasure, to be enjoyed together with friends and family in conviviality around the table!