Home of former premier to become waterfront winery
West Kelowna is getting a new waterfront winery on the former property of former B.C. premier Bill Bennett.
City council members on Tuesday added their support to plans by Markus Frind for a winery at 1475 Pritchard Drive. Frind developed the popular Plenty of Fish online dating site and sold it in 2015 for $575 million.
“Markus’s main focus is to make money. There’s a reason why he’s a successful businessman,” Frind’s sister-in-law, Sue Kanciar, told council.
“The whole premise of this winery is exclusive,” she said. “Our wines are not going to be $17. We’re catering to a different demographic.”
Originally from Vancouver, Frind now lives in West Kelowna with his wife and two children. He bought the Pritchard Road property last year for $7 million.
The property was the home of Bennett, who was premier of B.C. from 1975 to 1986. Bennett died in December 2015.
Although the property’s current address is off Pritchard, Frind is building a new access through an existing vineyard from Boucherie Road, also called West Kelowna’s Wine Route.
Bennett’s former home is being repurposed as the tasting room and lounge, while a new production facility is under construction. More than 100 construction workers have been involved on the project, which involves the removal of an existing swimming pool.
“That’s so people like me who have too much wine sometimes don’t fall in,” Kanciar joked.
The winery should open sometime between April and August next year, she told council. Bennett’s former study will be used for particularly exclusive gatherings, Kanciar said.
“It’s very exciting to have another winery on the Wine Route, and it’s unique to be able to sip a glass of wine right at the water,” said Coun. Rick De Jong.