Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Jim Wyse founded Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in 1993 after purchasing a neglected vineyard on the Black Sage Bench in the southern Okanagan Valley. Initially intending to grow grapes for other producers, Wyse eventually decided to establish an estate winery, releasing the first vintage in 1997. The operation remains a family enterprise with Jim, his wife Midge, and their children, including president Chris Wyse, managing the business. The estate is named after the endangered burrowing owl, and the family has established a long standing partnership with the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of British Columbia. They fund this organization through tasting room fees and direct corporate donations. In 2021, the family expanded their holdings by acquiring Wild Goose Vineyards in Okanagan Falls.

The winery manages approximately 210 acres of vineyards across the Black Sage Bench, Osoyoos, and the Similkameen Valley. The primary site in Oliver is characterized by deep sandy soils and high heat accumulation, providing the conditions necessary for ripening late season red varieties. To preserve the quality of the fruit, the production facility uses a gravity flow system that allows grapes and wine to move through the cellar without mechanical pumping. The aging process takes place in temperature controlled underground cellars built into the hillside. Sustainability is integrated into the facility through the use of geothermal heat pumps and extensive solar panel installations that offset carbon emissions and provide renewable energy for the property and staff housing.

Burrowing Owl is primarily known for producing full bodied red wines with high concentration and structure. Its signature offerings include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot, alongside the Athene blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Meritage, a Bordeaux style blend, is also a focal point of their portfolio. The producer helped define the potential of the Black Sage Bench as a premier site for premium viticulture in Canada. Because of a loyal following and limited production volumes, many of the wines are allocated through a wine club or sold directly from the cellar door. The estate includes a restaurant and a guest house, contributing to its status as a significant destination in the regional wine industry.