Vines, Sunshine, and Sustainable Sips, Off the Grid Organic Winery | BoostBC Local Spotlight

Vines, Sunshine, and Sustainable Sips, Off the Grid Organic Winery | BoostBC Local Spotlight

Weather you are looking for a beautiful wedding venue, a relaxing glass of wine with a lake view, or to hang out with some rambunctious goats, Off the Grid has it all. This family run farm has been operating in West Kelowna since 1919, and was ahead of their time when they went organic with their grapes in 2006. They made the decision to go organic after realizing the damage that the herbicides and pesticides were causing the soil and produce.

What does being an organic winery even mean? It means the grapes are free from herbicides and pesticides, and no additives are included in the wine. They look after everything by hand and have sheep and chickens working hard grazing the vineyard! Compost is made on site, meaning the animal manure and all prunings are worked back into the fields, reusing every scrap the farm produces.

Everything is as sustainable as possible, the buildings are solar powered, and the food truck serves organic milkshakes and poutine with real potatoes and organic cheese curds. "We try and do things the way mother natures intended.  Wine you can feel good about drinking" - Sheri Paynter, part owner.

There are only 11 wineries in Canada that have all their vineyards and wines certified as organic, and this family farm has managed to achieve this feat. This is a major accomplishment that they are proud to have achieved, and love the opportunity to share it with the community.

This relaxing oasis has a happy, magical vibe for customers to sit and enjoy the view and try some wonderful wine. Once you are done wine tasting on the patio, and have enjoyed a treat from the food truck, there is a farm walk that leads you to the goats, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and sheep that would love a pet and a handful of snacks. It's like the yellow brick road, only better!

Off the Grid also works as an animal sanctuary for farm animals that have nowhere else to go. They take in old chickens, goats, and rabbits that cannot be adopted elsewhere, some through the SPCA and others from private rescues, giving these lovely critters somewhere to call home. They donate to many animal rescues in the area as well as the local PACs, "we are the little guy so we try and support the little guy with the small amounts we have to give." - Sheri Paynter, part owner.

Weather you visit for the wine, the view or just the goats, Off the Grid Organic Winery has something for everyone to enjoy. Whatever your reason is, you will leave feeling happy, relaxed and a little more connected to the land. Make sure to stop by and see what all the hype is about.

BoostBC Local Spotlights shine a light on the entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community builders who make BC stronger, more vibrant, and more connected. We share these stories to amplify local voices, inspire the next generation of business owners, and encourage everyone to shop and support locally. Know a standout local business, founder, or organization doing great things in your community? Nominate them for a feature here: boostbc.ca/localspotlights