The BC Wine Studio story began in 2011, when Vancouver landscaper Stephen Carter decided to move to the Okanagan Valley to establish a new winemaking venture, one that would bring together other like-minded trailblazers with an enthusiasm for wine, family, and community. He wanted to create a facility where he could produce his own high quality estate wines while nurturing the valley’s next generation of wine brands and winemakers. 

It was a bold idea especially because Stephen knew little about winemaking. Still, he had great passion, grit, and – and like so many other dreamers who simply wouldn’t be told no - he was determined to bring his vision to life.

Stephen purchased a rugged property and vineyard in the rich winemaking region of Okanagan Falls. Then he got to work restoring and renovating the property. That started with Hawk’s vineyard, planted with some of the oldest vines in the area. But despite their potential, the vines of Hawk’s Vineyard needed the attention of an expert viticulturist. They were in rough shape after years of neglect.

Enter Valerie Tremblay, who knew the vines of the Okanagan valley well. She already had 20 years of experience working as a viticulturist and quickly jumped in with both feet to work with Stephen. Slowly, she and Stephen brought the vineyard back to life.

Under the tutelage of Mark Simpson, the winemaker for Siren’s Call, Val learned the craft of winemaking, taking the reins of Carter Wine Company, and transferring her passion for growing great fruit into making remarkable wines. 

In 2020, Val – the first ever female French-Canadian winemaker in Okanagan Falls - won her first medal for 2018 Ehrenfelser Riesling.

When you visit BC Wine Studio, you’re right in the middle of the action. Across from Stephen and Valerie’s log cabin home, you’ll find BC Wine Studio’s working production facility. When you sample the studio’s wines you’ll do it right in the winery itself, surrounded by fermenters and barrels of aging wine for Carter and the studio’s other wine brands. You also might find the winery’s three dogs - Bubbles, Ruby and Grapes - lazing in the vineyard or dropping by the winery to say hello. 

All told, it’s the dream Stephen Carter had a decade ago. Except this time it’s not a dream. It’s the life he and Valerie have built together on a remarkable piece of land in Okanagan Falls. And they’d love to welcome you when you’re in the area.