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#EXPLOREKALEDEN

Our Story

A Boutique Winery Celebrating Kaleden’s Unique Terroir

Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery opened its tasting room doors to the public in 2022. Our wines proudly showcase the up-and-coming region of Kaleden’s unique sense of place (AKA ‘terroir’), crafting its wines exclusively from Kaleden-grown grapes.

For many years, this area has grown some of BC’s highest quality winegrapes, but they haven’t received the recognition they deserve because they’ve been blended into large-production wines.

A Passion for BC Wine, A Commitment to Community

Steeped in history, the village of Kaleden is most deserving of some serious time in the limelight, and owner Tara Mathison is committed to helping it shine. Benchmark varietal wines are the stars, assembled by Winemaker/General Manager Mireille Sauvé, with cameo appearances of a delicious white blend in a can (SS Wanderer) and a wide array of fundraising wines (The Wine Umbrella) that support women’s educations in BC.

Enter, Tara Mathison, a Calgarian drawn to the area by a century-old-home that needed rescuing. Entranced by the village’s quaint charm and friendly townsfolk, Tara dove deep into the history books as her ‘run-down’ house was transformed into a stylish modern farmhouse. In her research, the lawyer-turned-entrepreneur uncovered dramatic stories of this lake-side community’s past, including a great story about how ‘Kaleden’ got its name. Tara was intrigued by the history of lakeboats, which were a vital part of life and industry in the Okanagan prior to the railroad. She also came across a derelict vineyard and winery in the neighbourhood which pulled on her heartstrings as yet-another rescue project. Connecting the past with the present, Tara made it her mission to resurrect the winery to its fullest potential and, in doing so, help Kaleden gain the recognition it deserves for the excellent grapes that it grows.

Our People

Tara Mathison

OWNER

Tara Mathison, originally from Alberta, is a retired lawyer-turned Okanagan Valley winery owner. Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery stands as the latest addition to Kaleden, proudly highlighting the unique terroir of this lesser-known up-and-coming region. For years, this area has nurtured some of British Columbia’s finest wine grapes, though they have often been overlooked, blended into mass-produced wines. Tara was captivated by a century- old home near Linden Gardens that was in need of restoration. Enchanted by the village’s charm and welcoming community, Tara immersed herself in history, turning her “run-down”; house into a modern farmhouse and learning about the many lakeboats that shaped this valley a century ago.

“I have been rescuing houses and lost dogs for as long as I can remember,” says Mathison. Her journey led her to revitalize a small vineyard and winery, shaping it into an exquisite, award-winning gem that is putting Kaleden on the map.

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Mireille Sauvé

WINEMAKER & GENERAL MANAGER

With over 30 years in the wine and restaurant industries, Mireille became ‘Canada’s Youngest Sommelier’ in 1997 after graduating with honours from George Brown College. Her career includes a Winemaking Apprenticeship at Hedges Cellars in Washington, launching Western Canada’s first Wine Australia office, and earning gold medals for her restaurant wine programs. Since founding The Wine Umbrella consulting firm in 2005, she has worked with international and local clients, contributed to many wine magazines, and appeared as a Wine Expert on radio and TV.

A tenured instructor at Okanagan College, Ms. Sauvé holds several professional certifications as a wine educator and, in 2015, she launched The Wine Umbrella fundraising wine brand to support women’s education in Food & Beverage through Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC. As Winemaker for Kaleden’s Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery, Mireille couldn’t be more excited to be crafting exceptional wines which reflect this unique terroir.

Colin Ross

CONTROLLER

Colin moved to the Okanagan in 2020, fulfilling a long-held goal of working on the production side of the wine industry as General Manager of Tightrope Winery on the Naramata Bench. His passion for business began at Simon Fraser University, where he studied Business Administration, alongside the unique pairing of Economics and Philosophy.

With a diverse career spanning tourism, hospitality, and wine, Colin has held roles as a general manager, partner, wine director, and restaurant owner in Vancouver. He’s also worked as a wine agent and WSET educator in both Wine and Spirits. Across all his roles, Colin has focused on building strong teams, creating a clear vision, and connecting with the broader community.

Today, Colin is the Controller at Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery in Kaleden and serves on the TOTA Board of Directors. He continues to share his expertise by teaching WSET classes and leading the Wine Growers British Columbia Ambassador Program.

Bob Ercego

VINEYARD MANAGER

Quinn Barsballe

ASSISTANT WINEMAKER

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Alain Cloutier

WINE AMBASSADOR

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Preserving Kaleden’s Wine Heritage Through Regenerative Agriculture

Committed to regenerative agriculture in the vineyards we tend, we embrace the agricultural heritage of our community. As a proud part of Kaleden’s winemaking tradition, we are collaborating with our peers to establish a much-needed sub-GI for this exceptional wine-growing region.

We invite you to visit us and experience the remarkable flavours of Kaleden’s terroir firsthand. Discover the passion and precision that define Lakeboat’s commitment to quality and the land we call home.

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