Just in case the name itself didn’t tip you off, Oliver Twist Winery has made an appearance in the Okanagan with a program of "twist" caps only. It’s a fun play on words that is representative of the owners’ sense of playfulness as they travel the journey from fruit growers to winery owners. However, although the name itself may be light-hearted, this is a serious winery with attention to both the science as well as the art behind wine making.

Bruce and Denice Hagerman moved back to the Okanagan and purchased an apple, peach and cherry orchard on the Black Sage Bench in 2002. The property is ideal for grape growing and accordingly in 2005 they cleared the seventeen acre estate and readied it for grapes. In May 2006 the Hagerman’s planted 27,000 vines including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot and Syrah. Their Viognier planting is actually currently 10% of the current Viognier planting in the Okanagan (they have put in three acres making thirty for the area in total).

For the current year the Hagerman’s purchased their grapes from the surrounding areas of the Black Sage Bench and the Golden Mile and have released a Pinot Gris, Kerner, and Chardonnay. The late summer will see the release of a Pinot Noir and in 2008 the Merlot will make an appearance. Total production will be about 2,000 cases for 2006 with plans to limit eventual production to approximately 7,000 cases.

The winery building is impressive and Bruce Hagerman has spared no time in taking his keen interest in technology to the market to demand the latest in equipment. For instance, he has ten data loggers that measure the temperature and relative humidity throughout the vineyards, an extensive system of drip irrigation, and a spray system that drizzles the micro organisms used to protect the vines at Oliver Twist. And that is just the beginning.

With the passion the Hagerman’s exhibit along with their good business sense and attention to the details of the winemaking process, their motto of "Quality Vines to Quality Wines" is obviously one that is given more than just lip service.

by Cassandra Anderton a Vancouver freelance writer for BC Wine Trails